Lifting and Rigging Equipment

Lifting and Rigging Equipment refers to a wide range of devices used to lift and move heavy objects.

Lifting and rigging equipment refers to the machines and connectors used together to safely lift, lower, secure, and move heavy loads in sectors such as construction, refineries, and shipping.
Lifting equipment provides the mechanical force to move the load, while rigging equipment attaches the load to the machine and keeps it balanced.

Thorough training and proper maintenance are essential when using lifting and rigging equipment to ensure safe and effective operation.

Types of Lifting and Rigging Equipment

A Chain Hoist is a manually, electrically, or pneumatically powered hoisting device used to raise and lower loads vertically. In manual chain hoists, a hand chain is used to drive internal gears and pull up the hoisting chain. Hand chain hoists are often used when a load needs to be hoisted straight up and down from an overhead anchor point, a trolley, a beam clamp, or another approved hoisting connection. They are an excellent choice for many vertical hoisting applications because they offer controlled movement, reliable operation, and simple manual control. However, hand chain hoists are generally not the best choice for horizontal pulling tasks or positioning tasks with limited headroom, where a lever-operated tool might offer more control and flexibility.

A Lever Chain Hoist is a compact lifting and pulling device operated by a ratchet handle. It is also known as a ratchet hoist, Lever Chain Hoist, or winch. Instead of pulling a hand chain to lift or lower a load, the user moves the lever handle back and forth to move the load chain. This ratchet action makes it possible to lift, pull, tension, align, or position a load in a controlled manner. Pivot hoists are widely used in construction, maintenance, industrial lifting operations, machine alignment, equipment positioning, and applications where horizontal or oblique force is required.

Types of Cranes

Grip Hoist Winch / Tirfor Hand Winch

Griphoist Winches, also known as Tirfor hand winches, are designed for the safe and versatile lifting, pulling, and moving of heavy loads. These manually operated steel cable winches are suitable for a wide range of sectors, including civil engineering, fire and rescue services, military operations, and new construction projects.
Compact and lightweight, griphoist winches are highly portable and can be used vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, providing a flexible solution for various challenges at the job site.

A Floor Crane is a device, typically equipped with a lifting mechanism, such as a steel cable hoist or a hydraulic cylinder, that can be used to both lift and lower materials, and which precedes the horizontal movement of the crane. It is primarily used for lifting loads of 50 to 2000 kg. It utilizes one or more simple mechanisms to create mechanical advantage and thus move loads that are beyond human reach. This crane is frequently used in the transport sector for loading and unloading small quantities of material into transport vehicles, in the construction sector for moving building materials, and in the manufacturing industry for the assembly of heavy machinery.

A Mechanical Rack Jack is a robust device for lifting and lowering heavy loads. It consists of a toothed metal rod (the rack) and a gear or lever system (e.g., a pinion) driven by a hand crank. Turning the crank converts the rotary motion into a linear, upward lifting force. Unlike hydraulic jacks, which operate with fluid, it uses only physical gears to convert rotary or pumping movements into direct vertical lifting force.

The lifting and rigging equipment described in this article is the most common, but hoisting equipment suppliers can likely offer other types and designs as well, such as electrically, hydraulically or pneumatically driven equipment.