Lever tools may be the least expensive yet most versatile piece of lifting equipment. The basic design is not so far from the original pulley tools which were invented centuries ago. They also go by many names such as ratchet lever hoist, come along, puller, puller hoist, and engine puller to list a few. In addition their uses are wide ranging. You can see them being used in someone's garage to hang a deer to a NASA plant to assist a maintenance technician do a repair. Below are some of the reason these pieces of equipment are so popular.
Come Alongs are small. Thus they can be used in small tight areas. There are even models that have a shorter handle, and even some models so small they can easily be held in one hand. Many times a service technician has to climb up onto a large piece of equipment or into a piece of equipment which only a lever hoist or hand chain hoist will fit. It is small enough to carry in your tool box or service truck.
Lever hoists have a wide range of capacities. Units are as small as 550# capacity up to 6 tons. Maintenance personnel have long used these tools with their relatively high capacity to perform jobs that otherwise could not be done.
Lever hoists have unlimited lift. As long as you can handle the excess chain you can use a come along hoist to lift or pull up to 500' or more of chain.
Most lever hoists are utilized in the 10-50' lifting or pulling range but if needed these units can be equipped with very long chain lengths. A unit can also be re-chained with different lengths of chain as required on the job.
Come Alongs are durable. Units are routinely dropped and abused but they keep on working. Care needs to be taken to inspect the units just like any hoist unit but with normal wear and tear these units last for years.
Lever hoists are versatile. Electric chain hoists are
not made for side pulls much less a true pulling application but ratchet lever hoists can be used at any angle. They can be attached to a trolley, beam clamp or existing structure.
This versatility lends the lever tool to perform in many different environments. It is in industrial environments in tool boxes, and maintenance shops to assist in pulling apart as well as together, and lifting. It is used in the private sector to pull engines, hang your freshly shot deer or for general home projects requiring lifting or pulling.
Lever hoists are inexpensive. Pullers range from foreign made units that cost under $100 to a top of the line domestically built 6 ton unit running under $2000. Considering the load being lifted this is a relatively inexpensive lifting solution.
The cheaper models may work for your home usage or light duty usage but care should be taken if it is going to be used day in day out. As with any type of equipment you generally get what you pay for.
Lever hoists can be accessorized. With such an inexpensive piece of equipment you would not think there would be any options other than capacity or length of lift. Well just like your wife's purse to go with her new shoes you can get some pretty nice accessories to go with your brand new come along. Of course safety is important to everyone, so an overload limit is one of the most widely bought options. This is not available on all models but many of industrial units offer this option. Now if an overload limiter is not enough you can even get an audible overload signal on some units. Also available are latchlok hooks, and anchor slings.
A quick survey in the field and any worker who has to do mechanical work will tell you a story where a ratchet lever, come along, puller tool, or whatever they like to call it has bailed them out of a tight spot. This simple piece of equipment is invaluable in today's industry as well as at home.
Author Resource:-
Matt Timme is the owner of Ergonomic Partners and has extensive experience in lever hoists Ergonomic Partners handles a complete selection of air, manual and electric hoists for your lifting applications.
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