Lever Chain Hoists

Lever hoists go places hand chain hoists won't reach and do things a fixed overhead hoist can't. When the pick point is at a weird angle, the load needs tensioning rather than lifting, or the work area has no fixed overhead structure, the lever hoist is what comes off the truck. You work the ratchet lever back and forth - forward to raise, reverse to lower - with a short compact tool that fits inside a scaffold bay, around a pipe rack, or at the end of a gangway.

Holloway Houston stocks lever chain hoists from AMH and William Hackett covering working load limits from 0.8 metric tons through 6.3 metric tons with lift heights from 5 feet to 20 feet. The AMH LA-Series is the broad catalog - 48 SKUs covering every standard capacity and lift height with options for overload protection, self-locking hooks, and Vario suspension. The William Hackett WH-L4 covers 1.6-ton and 3.2-ton configurations produced to IMCA D 028 offshore guidance.

Lever Chain Hoists for Industrial Lifting and Tensioning

A lever chain hoist uses a ratchet-and-pawl mechanism operated by a short lever. Pushing the lever forward engages the lifting pawl and advances the load chain through the gear train. Pulling the lever back allows the lowering pawl to release the load chain incrementally. The process is fully manual - no power source required, no continuous hand chain to manage.

The gear ratio inside the lever hoist provides mechanical advantage: the operator's lever force multiplies through the gearing to raise loads well above manual strength. Working load limits on the lever hoist line run from 0.8 tons up to 6.3 tons. The compact form factor - shorter than a hand chain hoist - is what makes lever hoists useful in confined spaces and at angles.

ASME B30.21 governs the design, marking, inspection, maintenance, and safe use of lever hoists. Lever hoists are used for vertical lifting, horizontal pulling, tensioning, and load securing - applications where the variety of use orientations separates them from fixed overhead equipment.

Types of Lever Chain Hoists

AMH LA-Series Standard (U Configuration)

The base AMH LA-Series lever hoist in standard configuration. Fixed upper hook suspension, load hook below, ratchet lever for up/down chain travel. Available in 0.8-ton, 1-ton, 1.6-ton, and 3.2-ton capacities with lift heights from 5 feet to 20 feet. These are the everyday working lever hoists for industrial maintenance, rigging, and tensioning applications.

AMH LA-Series with Self-Locking Hook (UL Configuration)

The UL variant adds a self-locking hook to the standard LA-Series frame. The hook throat closes automatically without requiring manual latch action. Self-locking hooks are specified in applications where latch closure cannot be confirmed by the operator - for example, working at height or in limited-visibility conditions. Available across the standard capacity range.

AMH LA-Series with Overload Protection (UV Configuration)

The UV variant incorporates an internal overload protection mechanism that limits the maximum chain load to the rated WLL. When the load approaches the overload threshold, the mechanism engages before the rated WLL is exceeded. This is a safety feature for applications where accidental overloading is a risk - tight quarters, blind lifts, or situations where load weight is uncertain before the pick.

AMH LA-Series with Overload Protection and Self-Locking Hook (UVL / UVS Configuration)

Combined configuration offering both overload protection (UV) and self-locking hook (UL) features in a single unit. The UVL and UVS variants cover applications where both features are specified simultaneously. Available at 1-ton and select capacity/lift combinations.

William Hackett WH-L4 (Offshore-Grade Lever Hoist)

The WH-L4 is produced to IMCA D 028 guidance notes for offshore lever hoist applications. Available in 1.6-ton and 3.2-ton capacities with lift heights at 10 feet and 20 feet. The WH-L4 is the offshore-specification lever hoist in the Holloway Houston inventory - meeting the documentation and design requirements that offshore operator procurement specifications call for when IMCA guidance is referenced.

Find Your Lever Hoist

Standard, overload-protected, self-locking, or offshore-specification - Holloway Houston has 48 SKUs in the lever chain hoist category. Our rigging specialists can help you match the right configuration to your application and confirm the documentation package. Shop All Lever Hoists

Lever Chain Hoists by Working Load Limit and Lift Height

Configuration Options Across the AMH LA Line

• U - Standard (base configuration)
• UL - Standard + self-locking hook
• UV - Standard + overload protection
• UVL - Standard + overload protection + self-locking hook
• UVS - Standard + overload protection + self-locking hook (alternate suffix)
• V - Vario (adjustable upper suspension height)

Note: Not all configurations are available at every WLL/lift-height combination. The Holloway Houston product catalog shows the specific SKU matrix.

Brands We Carry

Holloway Houston carries lever chain hoists from two manufacturers: AMH and William Hackett.

The AMH LA-Series is the primary lever hoist catalog at Holloway Houston. AMH produces a full range of lever hoist configurations - standard, overload-protected, self-locking, and combination options - that cover the breadth of industrial lifting and tensioning applications from 0.8 tons through 6.3 tons. The wide SKU matrix gives buyers the specific lift height, configuration, and capacity needed without having to over-specify.

The William Hackett WH-L4 addresses the offshore market. Produced to IMCA D 028 guidance, the WH-L4 meets the specification requirements of offshore operators and project engineers who reference IMCA documentation in their equipment procurement standards. Where the standard AMH lever hoist is the industrial workhorse, the WH-L4 is the offshore-certified alternative at 1.6-ton and 3.2-ton capacities.

The William Hackett WH-L4 ships with a manufacturer's proof test certificate at the WH-L4's published proof load and is traceable to the original factory test. AMH LA-Series documentation packages vary by model; contact Holloway Houston at 1-888-496-4700 to confirm the specific certificate included with your order. Shop Lever Hoists

Shop by Product Type

• AMH LA-Series Lever Hoist - Standard (U Configuration)
• AMH LA-Series Lever Hoist - Self-Locking Hook (UL Configuration)
• AMH LA-Series Lever Hoist - Overload Protection (UV Configuration)
• AMH LA-Series Lever Hoist - Overload + Self-Locking (UVL / UVS Configuration)
• AMH LA-Series Lever Hoist - Vario Suspension (V Configuration)
• William Hackett WH-L4 Lever Hoist - 1.6 Ton
• William Hackett WH-L4 Lever Hoist - 3.2 Ton

Lever Chain Hoist Applications by Industry

• Construction - Tensioning bracing and temporary structures, positioning steel members during fit-up, and pulling loads into alignment where overhead structures are not available. The compact lever hoist fits in spaces where overhead hoists don't reach.
• Offshore and Marine - Platform rigging, marine deck maintenance, and confined space lifting in offshore environments. The WH-L4 is specified for offshore work per IMCA D 028.
• Oil and Gas - Valve work, heat exchanger rigging, and maintenance lifting in process areas. Lever hoists work in tight quarters around piping where overhead travel is restricted.
• Mining - Equipment maintenance in underground headings, drift crossings, and surface areas where compact, portable hoisting is the only practical option.
• Shipbuilding - Fitting and positioning heavy components during construction, outfit, and drydock maintenance. Lever hoists tension components, hold alignment, and provide controlled lowering inside confined hull spaces.
• Manufacturing - Die handling, mold positioning, tooling changes, and assembly line maintenance. Lever hoists move loads horizontally as well as vertically - pulling components into position on a flat surface.
• Utilities and Power - Cable pulling, equipment positioning, and confined space maintenance lifting during outages.

Why Holloway Houston for Lever Chain Hoists

Holloway Houston has been in the rigging and lifting business for over 65 years. Our lever chain hoist inventory covers the standard industrial range with the AMH LA-Series and the offshore-specification range with the William Hackett WH-L4. With 48 SKUs across the lever hoist catalog, buyers can specify the exact WLL, lift height, and configuration - standard, overload-protected, self-locking, or combined - without settling for an approximate match.

For offshore procurement, the WH-L4's IMCA D 028 documentation is already part of the product package. No separate certification request, no waiting on the manufacturer for documentation that should ship with the hoist.

Holloway Houston ships from Houston, Texas, with same-day availability on stocked models. Our rigging specialists can confirm SKU availability, discuss configuration options, and assist with volume orders for fleet maintenance. Shop Lever Hoists

Selection Considerations for Lever Chain Hoist

Selecting a lever hoist means matching four variables: working load limit, lift height, configuration features, and application environment.

Working Load Limit: The WLL covers the maximum intended load in service. The AMH LA-Series runs from 0.8 tons through 6.3 tons. The WH-L4 covers 1.6 tons and 3.2 tons. Manufacturer documentation provides any de-rating applicable to angle pulling applications.

Lift Height: Lift height determines how far the load can travel on the chain. Standard configurations in the AMH line run from 5 feet to 20 feet. For applications requiring longer chain travel, consult Holloway Houston for extended chain options.

Configuration: Standard (U) works for most applications. Overload protection (UV) is specified where the risk of accidental overloading is present - uncertain load weights, blind picks, or confined space work. Self-locking hook (UL) is specified where latch confirmation is difficult or the operating procedure calls for automatic latch closure.

Environment: The standard AMH line is rated for covered industrial service. For offshore applications where IMCA D 028 documentation is required, the WH-L4 is the applicable model.

Lever Chain Hoist Safety and Awareness

Lever hoists are governed by ASME B30.21 (Lever Hoists), which covers design, marking, inspection, maintenance, and safe use. Applicable OSHA standards address workplace lifting operations. The following awareness points apply to lever chain hoist selection and inspection:

• Lever hoists are marked with the working load limit per ASME B30.21. Equipment operated within the rated WLL is the standard procedure.
• The load chain is inspected before each use. Twisted or kinked links, visible wear, corrosion, and elongation are inspection criteria. Chain elongation criteria for removal from service are defined in ASME B30.21 and the manufacturer's inspection documentation.
• The upper and lower hooks are inspected for cracks, deformation, and latch function. A hook with throat opening beyond the manufacturer's specification warrants removal from service.
• Lever hoists can be used for horizontal pulling and angled lifts as well as vertical lifting. Off-vertical and side-loading conditions change the effective load on the chain and mechanism. Manufacturer documentation provides the specific angle ratings and limitations of the model in service.
• The overload protection mechanism in UV models is a safety feature - not a routine operating condition. If the overload mechanism engages frequently, the load weight or application exceeds what the hoist is set up for.
• Lever hoists in sustained service (construction, plant maintenance, offshore) are typically subject to periodic inspection in addition to pre-use checks. ASME B30.21 defines inspection intervals based on frequency of use.

Complete Your Rigging System

• Subsea Hoists - William Hackett SS-L5 QP hoists rated for immersion in offshore and underwater operations.
• Chain Hoists - Browse the full chain hoist category including manual hand chain models.
• Shackles - Connect lever hoists to wire rope, chain assemblies, and structural anchor points.
• Chain Slings - Complete chain sling assemblies for use with lever hoists in multi-leg rigging setups.

DISCLAIMER

Lever chain hoists are load-bearing lifting devices. Proper selection, inspection, and use call for training consistent with ASME B30.21 (Lever Hoists) and applicable OSHA standards. The information on this page is provided for general product awareness and does not replace qualified engineering judgment, manufacturer documentation, or site-specific lift planning.