A lever hoist, also known as a puller and rachet hoist, is a versatile lifting equipment with several uses in heavy industries as well as personal applications. It is used widely owing to the fact that it is suitable for heavy-duty use, while being lightweight and portable.
In fact, a lever hoist may refer to any “small, portable lifting device which relies on the manual operation to lift or lower heavy loads.” It can be attached to a number of different surfaces, which makes it extremely handy to use.
Various industries, such as construction, manufacturing, farming, tree care services, and so on, use lever hoists to move loads.
So, without further ado, let’s delve deeper into what a lever hoist is, how it works, and how you can use it safely.
To put it simply, a lever hoist is used to lift and lower heavy loads. This lifting equipment can move loads in almost any position by cranking the lever vertically as well as horizontally.
Lever hoists are often used in applications related to:
The way a lever hoist operates is simple.
It is typically fitted with a sturdy safety cap to enable it to hold heavy loads securely. A top swivel connection allows it to lift loads from all positions. The hand wheel is used to release or withdraw the required length of the chain.
Further, a ratchet lever is attached to the side of the lever hoist to allow the chain to be pulled in the neutral position. A lever hoist placed in the upward position tightens the chain, enabling the load to be lifted with the tension.
The lever hoist’s handle is connected to a block, which has its own internal ratchet and gear mechanism. They work by cranking the lever vertically to power the ratchets. The direction of the internal gear can be easily changed to enable easy horizontal lifting or vertical lifting of the load, as necessary.
The hook at the end of the lever block is used to connect it to the heavy loads while providing the necessary support. The good thing about lever blocks is that they can be tailored to customer requirements.
It should be noted that lever blocks or hoists can handle only a specific working load limit. Care should be taken that the working load limit is never exceeded.
Lever blocks can be made from single or double fall chain configurations. The configurations should be in accordance with the weight of the load to be lifted.
When it comes to lifting heavy loads, it is necessary to crank the lever until the load reaches the desired height. To lower the load, however, the ratchet lever should be moved to the downward position, and the lever hoist should be cranked to lower the chain.
Whether you use a steel or an alloy lever hoist, merely knowing how it works will not be of much help if you’re unaware of the safety measures associated with its usage. Here are a few precautions to take when using lever hoists, especially in the heavy industry environment.
When using a lever hoist, make sure to always:
Apart from following the above, ensure that you never:
The correct handling and storing of lever hoists are key to their safe usage. Here’s what you need to bear in mind.
To verify the integrity of the lever hoist and the slinging method, start by lifting the heavy load slightly and then pause. If that works, proceed ahead.
Proper upkeep of lever hoists will ensure that they’re always safe to use, work well, and last long.
Of course, the above lists aren’t exhaustive, but they will give you a broad idea of how to use lever hoists safely. Further, it is always advised to refer the manufacturer’s instructions before putting your equipment to use. You can also consult a qualified individual to have your queries addressed.
As you can see, a lever hoist is a useful device that makes pulling and lifting heavy loads easier. It can be used to lift loads in different positions. The biggest advantage of using a lever hoist compared to other lifting equipment is that it allows horizontal lifting. Of course, you need to adhere to the applicable safety standards at all times when using a lever hoist. It is crucial to never exceed the load rating of the hoist to avoid the risk of overloading failures.
All in all, a lever hoist is the preferred tool that transforms complex lifting jobs into manageable ones and simplifies heavy-duty lifting.
If you need to buy high-performance lever hoists or any other lifting and rigging equipment, think of Holloway Houston Inc. Our team of experts will readily walk you through our products and help you buy the most suitable ones for your needs. To know more, check out our online store or contact us today.