Manual Hoists: Chain Hoist vs Lever Hoist Which is Your Choice?

Manual hoists are easy to use, easy to store and cheap to maintain. 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.)

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 chain 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.

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! 

When Should I Use a Hand 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.
• Hand chain block 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.

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.
 
If you need help picking a manual hoist for your lifting application or have any questions, feel free to contact us today!