Very good value, for what it cost, for lifting awkward items into the loft, but not really suitable for continuous and regular use with heavy loads. Main problem was finding a way to securely fix it above the loft hatch. I managed to find a sturdy piece of 45mm square timber to fix to the rafters, but that certainly wouldn't take 250kg.
The method of fixing on a 45mm square bar can be a problem. A 2m length of 10swg by 45mm square hollow aluminium tube is half the cost of the hoist, as I couldn't find the equivalent in steel.
The control cable is really to short and needs to be at least a metre longer. The mains lead is also rediculously short and needs an additional extension lead. The safty clip on the hook is very feeble and needs to be treated with care.
NB; Now been using the hoist for a couple of weeks, to lift many items into the loft, and found it to work well and is very usefull, even for light, but awkward, items. Found it best to ensure the cable winds evenly onto the drum. If operated continuously,even with light loads, it does get quite hot and needs to be allowed to cool.
It is also a good idea to obtain some cargo slings for lifting loads, also available from Silverline, as shown in my photo. It is also worth having a suitable size shackle to make it easier to clip onto the hook.