Chain Hoist

[merlin1952]

I am looking for recommendations for a come-along hoist to use around the property here. I am looking for something maybe around 6-ton or so with a decent length of travel maybe 15 feet or more. The one I’ll link to seems to be a decent quality piece at an amount I am willing to pay but figured there are probably better ones available that I have not discovered. Uses would be for the occasional stuck vehicle, or tractor, or maybe a fallen tree blocking the drive, things like that. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

Lever Block Chain Hoist 6 Ton 6M/20ft Chain Hoist Ratchet Lever Hoist with Hook 882511594533 | eBay

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

6ton ones aren't too handy, too heavy and big. Though sheet metal ones are better than the cast iron monsters. Pulling is different than lifting,just look at the rating for winches and turfrir jacks, are you sure you need a 6ton.? Because the 6ton rating is a lift.

 

[blazemaster83]

I have a few 3 ton lever hoists that have taken everything I have thrown at them around my farm and machine shop. They are like 40 lbs each. I would not want to have to get out a 6 ton hoist for every job, even the 3 ton hoists are overkill most of the time. I would get an assortment of smaller ones. Maybe like a .5 ton, a 1.5 ton, and a 3 ton.

 

[metaldad]

you sure a 6 ton? you'll need a 3 ton to hang it.
a 1t should be more than sufficient

 

[Feralghoul88]

Like they said above, unless you know you need a 6T capacity get a 2T or under. The likely hood you will need to move a 6T object (and that means lift a 6T object, which means you can actually pull something that weights 6T with a smaller hoist) is probably pretty low, and if you do now you need to find something that can support pulling that kind of weight. As for the length of pull on them, I would go with 10-15' MAX, more than that is unwieldy and you can use the rigging you should have to accomplish any additional length requirements. Only caveat to that would be if you intend to use this as a vertical lifting device and require it to be longer than that to accomplish the lift safely. Also, you can always replace the chain with longer if you needed too....BUT ONLY USE A CHAIN RATED FOR LIFTING APPLICATIONS.

As for brands, get a reputable one, they are a little more but when you are working with moving large and heavy objects it is not a time to cut corners due to how quickly something can go wrong. Harrington is a good brand, and if you want to get a better deal you can get a kito brand one, its a japanese company that actually makes the harrington and several other brands lever hoists.

 

[GeoBruin]

You linked a chain hoist, which is for lifting, but your use cases involve dragging. Dragging something with a chain hoist like that would ****. You need a come-along. And when it comes to come-alongs, one stands alone:

The More Power Puller®, Portable Winch, Cable Puller, Come Along Winches | By The Wyeth-Scott Company

Buy The More Power Puller Online Today! Shop puller models & replacement parts, FAQs, operating and repair instructions. Contact us online or 800-743-4521.

www.wyeth-scott.com

 

[shawhite]

Portable winch and a couple blocks would be my choice. The come alone listed above is ok but if I’m going come a long I’m getting a tirfol way more versatile.

 

[GeoBruin]

Portable winch and a couple blocks would be my choice. The come alone listed above is ok but if I’m going come a long I’m getting a tirfol way more versatile.

A new Tirfor is like 6 times the price of the MPP.

 

[dutchgray]

A new Tirfor is like 6 times the price of the MPP.

They are worth the money.
Best bit to change direction you just remove the handle from one lever and put it on the other, no catches or pawls to mess with.

 

[shawhite]

A new Tirfor is like 6 times the price of the MPP.

Yes they are pricey new but I see them pop up on used and surplus markets from time to time for pretty cheap because most people have never heard of them.

 

[RAS61]

Definitely do not consider the Jet JCP cable puller, which goes up to 4 ton. The pawl is made of cheap pot metal, mine broke at a fraction of it's work limit. Overall a very cheaply made tool and the cable spools terribly. Not only the worst tool I think I've ever bought, but dangerous too

 

[merlin1952]

This is some very interesting information on the topic and several suggestions for devices I have never heard of, thanks for the input. I really have no idea whether I need a 3 ton, 4 ton, or 6 ton. I just want one that will do the type jobs I listed before without difficulty. I have a little “Big Box Store” 2 ton piece of junk that really struggled winching a 3800 pound car up on a trailer the other year. So I’m just looking for something that will function well and move whatever I attempt to move without a major struggle. Price is a factor but not the only factor. Though I would use the hoist very rarely when I do need it I want it to be up to the challenge. Thanks,

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

My work involved rigging. One job, that's all I did for a couple of years. Millwrighting in a sawmill ,it was daily. I have used all that have been listed, a lot.

The chain come-a-long is by far the the handiest but has a short pull, and is not fond of mud.When I went to pick up a large lapidary saw for my wife's rock club, I picked up a couple of 3/4ton ones. On sale for $79.99. They are used for lifting and positioning at the same time, so I needed two.

The tirfol, I guess that how it's spelt, we called it a tirfur jack. I've worked magic with three of them. I've just never found one cheap, so I don't have one.

I do have the power winch listed. They are no where near as handy as a tirfur jack. One firm I worked for was a American one, I guess they never heard about Tirfur jacks, so I got use them a fair bit. They are not in the same class. A lot less handy. Like any winch, careful spooling is required.

Those small cable winches, with outlandish claims of capacity,are really fence wire stretchers. If I see someone rigging with one it's the same as seeing a guy rebuilding an engine with a 12" crescent wrench, and a chinese one to boot.

 

[NC Fabricator25]

Agree with others, the smaller sizes are nice. Coffing is top quality, made in USA, and not cheap, but you can find deals on eBay. I have a 3/4 and 1-1/2 ton that get used the most. 10ft is a good length for the chain. I have a larger Harrington that binds frequently, though it had a rough life prior so it may not be a brand issue.

Chain lever hoists are rated for overhead lifting which is a useful function, but to another poster's point they pull horizontally just fine. I strongly prefer them to a come along contraption.

 

[NC Fabricator25]

You linked a chain hoist, which is for lifting, but your use cases involve dragging. Dragging something with a chain hoist like that would ****. You need a come-along. And when it comes to come-alongs, one stands alone:

The More Power Puller®, Portable Winch, Cable Puller, Come Along Winches | By The Wyeth-Scott Company

Buy The More Power Puller Online Today! Shop puller models & replacement parts, FAQs, operating and repair instructions. Contact us online or 800-743-4521.

www.wyeth-scott.com

I don’t doubt the unit you linked to works really well, but I’m curious why you think that the chain lever hoists wouldn’t work, or **** as you say. I’ve used mine plenty of times for pulling dragging, etc. and they work just as I would think they should, and several times better than any regular cable and stamped steel body come along.

 

[DSS]

6 ton is a huge one, very heavy to be portable, a 3 tonner is almost too much to lug around

 

[shawhite]

6 ton is a huge one, very heavy to be portable, a 3 tonner is almost too much to lug around

To your point a comparable Harrington 6ton hoist is 108 lbs. I use chain hoist daily in my real job. I love them and strap hoist for what I use them for (tensioning overhead lines). If I want to pull out a truck or move a pole a hoist will be my last option. The reason is they are slow. Usually 1/2 a chain link per click. And even slower when you add the second sheave to double the rating like the 6ton the OP listed. Portable winch with some rigging will achieve a lot of what you plan to use the hoist for and a lot faster and less wear on your body.

Harrington 6 Ton Lever Hoist 20` Lift (108 lbs.): Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Harrington 6 Ton Lever Hoist 20` Lift (108 lbs.): Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

www.amazon.com

 

[GeoBruin]

I don’t doubt the unit you linked to works really well, but I’m curious why you think that the chain lever hoists wouldn’t work, or **** as you say. I’ve used mine plenty of times for pulling dragging, etc. and they work just as I would think they should, and several times better than any regular cable and stamped steel body come along.

It's not that they wouldn't work. They certainly can be used for pulling/dragging, that's just not what they're made for. They're heavy (75ish lbs compared to the Wyeth Scott's 25 lbs for comparable pulling power), they have short pulling capacity (10 to 15 feet compared to 35 feet for the Wyeth Scott), they're slow (someone else mentioned this above), and all the extra chain is just laying on the ground in the dirt or mud or grease rather than being neatly coiled around the spool.

Driving nails with a sledgehammer works but that doesn't mean it's the right tool for the job.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Here is a tirfor https://www.tenaquip.com/product/tr...x9yStfolRlVr9uEn_KIwdFyL7tPncGwMaAlQbEALw_wcB This model will pull 8000#
But as can see, they are expensive. A Moor Power hand winch, which I have BTW, I have found not to be nearly as handy the Tirfor.
Here is a chain hoist https://www.princessauto.com/en/1-ton-triple-geared-chain-hoist/product/PA0008873275 my heavens they have gotten cheap. If you want to lift something straight up, they are the tool. So long as your pull chain isn't too long.

 

[merlin1952]

I very much appreciate everyone’s contributions on this topic. Based on the input here and taking my intended use along with price into consideration I am now looking at the Wyeth. I haven’t ordered yet so still interested in additional suggestions and experiences with the different types of hoist available. Thanks,

Amazon.com: 3 Ton Ratchet Puller With 35' Of 5/16" Amsteel Blue : Automotive

 

[RAS61]

Looks like a quality tool, much better than the cheap come-alongs, good luck!

 

[shawhite]

Only negative is the rope has a tendency to wedge itself between the rope on the spool on tight pulls so the next time you use it you may have to use something to help pull it out

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

As with any winch, when pulling ,you have to spool carefully. Use leather gloves to avoid jaggers.

 

[GeoBruin]

The internet had been advertising this thing to me VERY heavily lately.

The Dragan Pocket Winch

Meet the Dragan Pocket Winch: the world’s most portable, high-strength recovery winch for riders, overlanders, outdoor professionals and everyday utility. Designed by engineers. Built for the backcountry.

dragansystems.com

 

[seber]

A six ton hoist will be more than enough to pull a tractor apart in the unlikely event you could find something to pull against. It is overkill for pretty much anything short of a ship yard.

 

[Retired dozer fixer]

I don’t doubt the unit you linked to works really well, but I’m curious why you think that the chain lever hoists wouldn’t work, or **** as you say. I’ve used mine plenty of times for pulling dragging, etc. and they work just as I would think they should, and several times better than any regular cable and stamped steel body come along.

You have never used a 6 ton with 20’ of chain?? If you have you’d still be cussing at how heavy it is. As was previously stated chain hoists don’t like dirt and mud

 

[tiredoldironworker]

Heavy construction ironworker foreman here. If it has to move use a big crane. If crane is not available use the biggest lever hoist available.\ and don't fuss about the weight you goddam gen z.