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Do you have a job to do but you’re not sure which equipment to use? In this article we compare the differences between lever hoists, chain blocks and come alongs.
Lever hoists are portable devices used to manually lift, lower or pull a load. A lever hoist can also be used for tensioning and lashing loads for transport. Lever hoists have the advantage of being able to lift in most positions, including horizontally and vertically, where chain hoists can typically only be used vertically.
Lever hoist’s (also known as blocks) have a handle on the side of the block which houses an internal gearing and ratchet system fitted with load chain. A lever block works by cranking the lever up and down to engage the ratchet and pawl system, which causes the load to move a set distance per crank. The direction of the internal gear can be easily switched, to move the load up or down as needed. There is a hook on the end of the load chain for easy attachment to a load, and a hook attached to the housing of the lever block for attachment to secure support (e.g. steel beam).
The load chain on a lever hoist comes in standard lengths of 1.5 or 3 meters, with working load limits available from 250kg – 9 tonne. Other sizes available at request.
Chain blocks are portable devices used to manually lift or lower a load. A hand-operated chain hoist is usually smaller and more compact compared to an electric hoist of the same size. Chain blocks are able to lift in a vertical position only. If they are side loaded or used horizontally it is possible for the mechanism to jam.
A chain block is operated manually, made from a combination of internal geared pulleys fitted with chain. The user will pull down on the hand chain, this will turn a pulley mechanism inside the hoist to move the load. There is a hook on the end of the load chain for ease of attachment to the load and a hook on top to secure the chain hoist to a suitable support.
Chain blocks are available in either a manual or electric mechanism, with sizes available from 250kg – 20t in 3 and 6metre heights of lift. Other sizes are available at request.
A come along (also called a wire rope hand ratchet puller) is a manual device that can make moving heavy loads by hand possible.
A wire rope puller operates very similarly to a lever block except with wire rope instead of chain. To release the cable from the reel, make sure the mechanism is in a neutral position. Used for pulling only, they cannot be used for any lifting applications.
Come along’s are available in 1, 1.5 and 2t working loads.
Every certified lever and chain block will be manufactured to be capable of lifting a specific working load limit e.g. 2 ton. The total weight of the load to be lifted (including the weight of any rigging equipment attached) must not exceed this working load limit. The WLL of a lifting device will be clearly displayed on the side of the hoist, along with the manufacturer and serial number.
Cable pullers and lever hoists can be used for lashing. These are commonly used in the transport industry for tensioning or pulling a heavy load.
For more information call our lifting & riggings specialist's today or check out our online store.
Watch our video on lever hoist operations:
The pairing of an overhead crane with an electric wire rope or pneumatic hoist can make for some powerful lifting capabilities. Enormous loads are elevated with this type of heavy-duty equipment. If you’re a large manufacturer, a steel supplier, in aerospace or you build transportation vehicles, this can surely come in handy, but that amount of horsepower would be overkill if what you’re lifting is on a much smaller scale. Is your workspace part of an assembly line, a construction site, a fab shop or even at home in your garage? If so, your lifting job might only require a simple manual hoist.
Manual hoists are easy to use, easy to store and cheap to maintain. When manual power is the only source you’ve got available and if you’re not counting on speed, you’ll be sure to reach for one of these handy hoists. Tasked to lift 150 lbs of product or materials on the job? You could be asking for a strained back! Without the need to enlist the help of others, a manual hoist can accomplish the same goal with ease and efficiency, with the simple pull of a chain and without endangering your physical safety! Hoist manufacturers like Harrington, CM (Columbus Mckinnon) and Coffing provide great options for manual hoists of all kinds with a variety of capacities and helpful features.
There are two types of manual hoists. Each can help get your job done but their designs are unique from each other: the lever hoist, (also called a come along) and the hand chain hoist (also called a chain fall, chain block or block and tackle.)
The Difference Between a Lever Hoist and a Chain Hoist
Simply put, the lever hoist operates by cranking a lever attached to a block housing a ratchet and gear system, fitted with a load chain. Hand chain hoists lift when minimal force is applied to a hand chain that turns a cog, the cog turns a driveshaft, the driveshaft turns the gears and the gears lift the load chain to move your materials up or down.
When Should I Use a Lever Hoist?
Lever hoists can lift vertically but are most commonly used when there is a need for stretching or tightening applications, such as for rigging. Because you are powering the tool yourself with a ratcheting motion, movement happens in small increments. Lever hoists are perfect for lifting a boat out of a trailer, for aligning pipes and beams for welding, for tree removal or for securing equipment or smaller vehicles into a truck bed. A slower, manual speed is something to factor in when using a lever hoist if time is an issue and you’re used to working with electric hoists. Each certified lever hoist is made to handle a specific load limit that is wise to heed. They are built in varying capacities from ¼ ton to up to 10 tons.
This hoist can be outfitted with either short handles or long handles. A short-handled lever hoist is mainly used in tight quarters where it is hard to get a full crank that would be needed with a long handle to move a load.
Because lever hoists are simple, compact tools, they can be used to advantage when space is at a premium, and they also possess the flexibility to use while inverted. They can even be operated just using one hand if needed!
Do Lever Hoists Come in Different Duty Classes?
At Ace Industries, we characterize the lever hoists we stock by classification of model based on use, capacity and features. Light duty and mini lever hoists are the most compact in the market and conveniently fit in a toolbox. These hoists have a wide range of uses in industrial areas such as transportation, construction and plumbing. Economy model lever hoists and come alongs work well for construction and heavier duty commercial applications and are great for use in close quarters, stretching and hoisting and are designed to maximize their initial value. The Premium hoists work best in heavy-duty construction work, mining, ship building and day-to-day maintenance tasks.
Lever hoists are perhaps the most versatile hoists in the world. Inexpensive yet powerful, these manual hoists provide portable lifting power with just a few turns of a handle. When selecting a lever hoist, it is important to consider such things as handle pull required, handle length and frame material.
When Should I Use a Chain Hoist?
Hand chain hoists have many uses in the industry and at home. They can be found on construction sites, shops, warehouses for loading and unloading goods, also in car service stations and other applications where precise lifting is required, for example in auto shops when lifting engines from vehicles or placing parts is needed.
You would use a chain hoist for lifting vertical loads that travel higher in the air than a lever hoist load. The lever hoist also has to be used right near you but you can operate the hand chain hoist from where you stand on the ground even when the hoist is positioned high up. It also has the capacity to lift larger loads than the lever hoist using mechanical advantage and needs less room to operate. You can attach the chain hoist to a beam, to a secure anchor with a shackle or to a trolley as a travelling hoist if the load has to be moved from one place to another.
Do Chain Hoists Come in Different Duty Classes?
At Ace Industries, we characterize the hand chain hoists we stock by classification of model based on use, capacity and features. The Harrington CX hoist is notably the world's smallest hand chain hoist. Its a light duty model and extremely compact design make it the ideal tool for high or difficult to reach places. Economy model hand chain hoists are the practical choice for efficient, trouble-free service. These hoists are designed to be compact and lightweight and are ideal for construction and contractor applications where portability and easy rigging are critical. premium model chain hoists are designed with total cost of ownership in mind. They’re constructed with top-of-the-line quality components for the most demanding kinds of industrial applications. Built to withstand rugged, day-in, day-out use, these hoists are easily maintained and repairable, making them long-lasting.
Hand chain hoists are ideal for applications that require portability and economy. When selecting a hand chain hoist, it’s important to consider the amount of lifting chain needed, the overhaul length (hand chain required to lift the load) and the frame material.
Need tips on selecting the right lever or chain hoist for you? View Ace's tips on selecting the right lever hoist, or selecting the right hand chain hoist or call and speak to a hoist expert at Ace (800) 733-2231.
If you need help picking a manual hoist for your lifting application or have any questions, feel free to contact me at (770) 242-5171.
Author Craig Cappel
Craig Cappel has been an enthusiastic part of the sales team at Ace Industries since 2005. Craig participated in the Ace expansion into Texas in 2012, moving to Houston for the launch of the new Distribution warehouse and in 2015 returned to HQ in Georgia to lead the Business Development Center of Excellence. Craig’s focus has been on applications, managing projects ranging from industrial fab, offshore and oil & gas, to entertainment and production rigging. With a current role on the customer service team and website development and sales, Craig also oversees Ace’s in-house hoist repairs and warranty work.
Craig lives in the Atlanta suburbs with two large dogs, both huskies, and can be found painting on large canvases, listening to a broad playlist of music and dreaming of the Hawaii surf.
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