Do I Need a Chain Lever Hoist?

[bulletpruf]

So, I have a cheap cable hoist (come-along), a very cable hoist with rope (Wyeth-Scott), and a regular chain hoist (no lever), but what about a lever type hoist with chain instead of cable or rope?

Always looking for an excuse to buy another tool, but not sure what the advantages of these would be, and I've never used one before.

Thanks

Scott

 

[Beerhippie]

To me, a regular chain-fall hoist is more useful as it can be used well out of reach for that lever.

But this is GJ, so you know what the replies will be....

 

[rocksnstumps]

My brother travels with one of those for work. It's compact for what he needs. A Wyeth Scott with synthetic rope is a very capable tool. Unless you need something more compact to travel with not sure if I would need more. Ok, have like several comealongs and a bigger Coffing version of your picture but some of those came from Dad

 

[sparky 1971]

You can get one if you want, but I've used one and didn't like it. I feel a chainfall is much more user friendly, I'm sure there are others that will disagree, but to each their own.
Something like this: https://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-chain-hoist-996.html

 

[tarmy]

What the hell kinda question is that OP…jeez.

Your “I want that tool cause” card has been banned for two weeks OP.

 

[bwringer]

Whatchya lifting?

As stated earlier, I think a chain fall is more versatile.

But, it's not as convenient sometimes. A chain fall is sort of... messy. You're juggling the excess and looped chain, it's getting tangled in stuff, the dirty chain hits the paint on what you're lifting, etc.

I think the main advantage of a lever hoist over a chain fall is more that it can be used for pulling horizontally.

IIRC a chain lever hoist can be more easily and controllably unloaded under tension than a cable lever hoist.

 

[bulletpruf]

You can get one if you want, but I've used one and didn't like it. I feel a chainfall is much more user friendly, I'm sure there are others that will disagree, but to each their own.
Something like this: https://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-chain-hoist-996.html

Have one of those; it's 1 or 2 tons. Fabbed up an A-frame with some free lumber (scrounged from work) and used it to yank the engine out of my Alfa when I was stationed in Italy (didn't have my cherry picker with me).

I don't think I've used it since.

 

[bulletpruf]

Whatchya lifting?

Damn good question! Little bit of everything.

As stated earlier, I think a chain fall is more versatile.

But, it's not as convenient sometimes. A chain fall is sort of... messy. You're juggling the excess and looped chain, it's getting tangled in stuff, the dirty chain hits the paint on what you're lifting, etc.

I think the main advantage of a lever hoist over a chain fall is more that it can be used for pulling horizontally.

I think you can use a chain fall to pull horizontally as well, but it would be awkward.

IIRC a chain lever hoist can be more easily and controllably unloaded under tension than a cable lever hoist.

Ok, now we're getting somewhere.

 

[MJD1]

The 3/4 metric ton ones are very useful, preferably a 10' or 20' chain. Not too heavy but still powerful. I use them all the time for straightening and alignment in addition to lifting. Generally less headroom than a chain hoist so that's a big plus

 

[larry_g]

Not the best for lifting but great for pulling where you can get to the the operators handle. Also be aware that some are rated for lifting and others are not. I can tell you from personal experience that a fail while lifting is a *****. Not a tool that I cheap out on as it be life threating if it fails.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[PMD1966]

You can get one if you want, but I've used one and didn't like it. I feel a chainfall is much more user friendly, I'm sure there are others that will disagree, but to each their own.
Something like this: https://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-chain-hoist-996.html

I have the HF 1 ton chain hoist. Bought it for $10.00 from the return rack. Chain was jammed and customer brought it back. Unjammed the chain and it works fine.

 

[GaryM909]

I still have a few smaller ones from ¼ ton to 1½ ton. I also had a chain fall that was much better for lifting but the lever hoists were better for pulling. My neighbours winch quit on his tilt deck car hauler. I lent him a 1½ ton. It worked but took him forever.

 

[bulletpruf]

I still have a few smaller ones from ¼ ton to 1½ ton. I also had a chain fall that was much better for lifting but the lever hoists were better for pulling. My neighbours winch quit on his tilt deck car hauler. I lent him a 1½ ton. It worked but took him forever.

If you think that's bad, try winching a car onto a trailer with a pair of ratchet straps! Had to do that when a HF come-along seized up on me.

 

[milky2k]

I didn't read your post but if the question is "do I need xyz tool?" then the answer is yes. Yes, you do.

 

[mikey03]

I don’t know what it is but if it’s a tool and you don’t have it then you might need it

 

[toolmiser]

Isn't another name for them a "coffin hoist". For lowering a coffin into its final resting place.

 

[GeoBruin]

Isn't another name for them a "coffin hoist". For lowering a coffin into its final resting place.

Not sure if you're joking, but Coffing is probably the brand name most closely associated with this (and similar) types of lifting devices. Fred Coffing invented the chain hoist in the 1930s.

I find it much more likely that the term "Coffing Hoist" is what you have heard. Kind of like Kleenex or Chapstick.

Anyhow, count me among the Lever Hoist converts. I had a chain fall I never loved but assumed it was preferable to a lever hoist for some of the typical reasons stated above. Then my friend gave me a Harrington lever Hoist (made in Japan) that her contractor left at her house after he went AWOL. I have scarcely touched the chain fall since. Its just lighter, and tidier, and I feel like it easier to mind the free end of the chain when I'm trying to keep it from scuffing up whatever I'm lifting.

But, as usual, there's always reasons why you might need one or the other. I would never pull anything with one if had a Wyeth Scott MPP (or aTirfor, which I do) but for lifting, they're a great addition to the shop.

 

[john.k]

I have a collection of the old school Yale lever hoists .....the kind with roller chain ........you can get them free nowdays .......i also have the linkchain type which are easier to use ..........With a couple of these hoists you can recover a fallen 100ft crane boom,and put the tracks back on a big dozer or excavator..........I would not be without a one ton size lever hoist ...Fuji ,Yale ,or CM are good brands.

 

[Retired dozer fixer]

Add a 3 ton and your golden

 

[bulletpruf]

Not sure if you're joking, but Coffing is probably the brand name most closely associated with this (and similar) types of lifting devices. Fred Coffing invented the chain hoist in the 1930s.

I find it much more likely that the term "Coffing Hoist" is what you have heard. Kind of like Kleenex or Chapstick.

Anyhow, count me among the Lever Hoist converts. I had a chain fall I never loved but assumed it was preferable to a lever hoist for some of the typical reasons stated above. Then my friend gave me a Harrington lever Hoist (made in Japan) that her contractor left at her house after he went AWOL. I have scarcely touched the chain fall since. Its just lighter, and tidier, and I feel like it easier to mind the free end of the chain when I'm trying to keep it from scuffing up whatever I'm lifting.

But, as usual, there's always reasons why you might need one or the other. I would never pull anything with one if had a Wyeth Scott MPP (or aTirfor, which I do) but for lifting, they're a great addition to the shop.

I'm seeing a few Coffing lever hoists for sale on FB MP, but nothing terribly close to me.

 

[Bessy]

I've been in a number of situations where the lever style chain pullers are absolutely mint. Working on the docks at our local co-operative, we used them for years for raising and lowering the dock webs and plenty of other jobs. Nice thing about them is that you have a ton of control even in situations of immense tension/weight. I have a loop style chain hoist hanging from the ceiling in my current garage and it works great, but it's noisy as hell comparatively, dirty, and the chain is always in the way. Not to mention if you try using the control end of the chain on any kind of angle other than vertical, it tends to bind up pretty quickly.

Cheers,

 

[bulletpruf]

I have a collection of the old school Yale lever hoists .....the kind with roller chain ........you can get them free nowdays .......i also have the linkchain type which are easier to use ..........With a couple of these hoists you can recover a fallen 100ft crane boom,and put the tracks back on a big dozer or excavator..........I would not be without a one ton size lever hoist ...Fuji ,Yale ,or CM are good brands.

Not seeing any Fuji or Yale for sale, but several CM's.

There's also a NIB Jet 1.5 ton unit here in San Antonio that's fairly priced.

 

[rsanter]

That lever type can be used in any orientation but you have to be right by the head of the unit.

A chain fall unit is really for overhead lifting

So that lever unit is just a heavy duty ***-along

Is that what you need?

 

[Sumboodie]

To me, a regular chain-fall hoist is more useful as it can be used well out of reach for that lever.

But this is GJ, so you know what the replies will be....

In your photo is what I've always called a come-along.

That not correct?

 

[GeoBruin]

In your photo is what I've always called a come-along.

That not correct?

I've always thought of a come-along as a lever actuaded cable winch, not suitable for overhead lifting. I would call what is pictured a lever hoist.

Come-along =

 

[Sumboodie]

I've always thought of a come-along as a lever actuaded cable winch, not suitable for overhead lifting. I would call what is pictured a lever hoist.

Come-along =

I've always called those a hand winch or poor man's winch

 

[Beerhippie]

Actually, this:



is or was a come-along. Before handcuffs, a way for a law officer or thief taker to control a captive.

 

[Firebrick43]

So, I have a cheap cable hoist (come-along), a very cable hoist with rope (Wyeth-Scott), and a regular chain hoist (no lever), but what about a lever type hoist with chain instead of cable or rope?

Always looking for an excuse to buy another tool, but not sure what the advantages of these would be, and I've never used one before.

Thanks

Scott

We would use those alot to rig parts for large CNC machines, pumps, ect. Use lifting straps/clevis to support the load and one of the lever hoist to tilt the load so it could be aligned or maneuvered into place.

Never really cared for them to lift the load itself as a chian hoist I always thought to be significantly better when it came to a pure lifting device.

 

[john.k]

A chain hoist is a PITA for anything but overhead ......to pull a load up onto a trailer ,for Instance ..........lever hoist and a few fabric straps ,or some loose chain and hooks...........one time I always had chain ,but fabric straps are cheap, clean,lightweight ,dont rust

 

[john.k]

When you are installing a big motor in a boat or machinery ,you use lever hoists as legs on the sling and you can easily tilt and position the motor to drop right onto the mounts ...........you cant move a 5 ton motor by hand like a car motor ,it just diesnt budge.

 

[seber]

Actually, this:



is or was a come-along. Before handcuffs, a way for a law officer or thief taker to control a captive.

Actually, that is a "Come with me" cuff.

 

[readhead]

Probably doesn’t apply to the OP but I got nicked one time by OSHA for a single wire that was cut on a cable come-a-long. We did steel erecting and sometimes things have to be moved into place or plumbed up. After that incident I replaced all the cable units with chain units. The guys liked using them much better. By the way the fine was the same as ten chain lever hoists.

 

[bulletpruf]

Thanks for all the input. I'm going to get one.

Scott

 

[rust in the eye]

Probably doesn’t apply to the OP but I got nicked one time by OSHA for a single wire that was cut on a cable come-a-long. We did steel erecting and sometimes things have to be moved into place or plumbed up. After that incident I replaced all the cable units with chain units. The guys liked using them much better. By the way the fine was the same as ten chain lever hoists.

Yikes! Were you sleeping with the inspector's wife?

 

[LeeG]

It was pricey, but I picked up one of these. I have the 1 ton with 10’ chain.

 

[LG63]

For certain jobs there's no substitute. No one has mentioned the chain travel per stroke of the lever is painfully slow. Like 1 inch per stroke on a 3/4 ton.

 

[MJD1]

For certain jobs there's no substitute. No one has mentioned the chain travel per stroke of the lever is painfully slow. Like 1 inch per stroke on a 3/4 ton.

That's exactly why they have that large knob on the clutch, to rapidly take up the chain. Much easier to take up the slack with a chain come along than with a chain hoist

 

[speed bump]

The 1/4 ton ones are super handy for pulling and moving stuff around. Having gone through 10-20 of them at work I would buy the harbor freight ones as they are about as good as the CM or anything else at this point for 1/3 the price. After that the one ton units get a lot of use. By the time you get to the 1.5 ton units generally we look for an excuse to use something else to move stuff.

I use cable come alongs for pullling things I would rather pull with a winch.

Chainfalls are pretty much for overhead when you don't move it very far up or down in one movement.

 

[dutchgray]

I have one, think it's a half ton with a pretty short chain, most useful as a winch for me, though can be useful as an easily adjustable length lifting chain for balancing the lift.

 

[finn]

I bought one off of an older fellow when picking up a 38 Ford flathead he was selling maybe ten years ago. He was downsizing.

It’s a pretty nice example, probably from the sixties. I doubt if I have used it more than five times, but it looks great hanging on the wall.

Much nicer to use than the three cable puller / come alongs I have, but it’s too good to leave in the back of the truck or side by side.

First World Problems, I guess.