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From: "Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com>
Newsgroups: rec.crafts.metalworking
Subject: Re: 250 LbsRe: How Big Is The Disc
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 2025 20:07:22 -0400
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"Leon Fisk"  wrote in message news:10227pv$374ja$1@dont-email.me...

On Sat, 7 Jun 2025 09:47:58 -0400
"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> wrote:
>lever chain hoists of 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1 and 2 tons...

I've looked at these off and on. Have several cable come-a-longs and a
larger winch good for a couple tons. But they all use cables which have
their stretchy drawbacks...

Have you been able to determine if some of the more affordable versions
are built well enough by now? The reviews for the HF models aren't good
enough in my opinion. The high end models are a bit more than I'd
like to spend with no particular use in mind, other than a future
problem solver. The 1 to 2 ton range would be the likely candidates.

Just some names to watch for deals on both new and used for when
I'm feeling flush🙂
Leon Fisk
----------------------------
Mine are older models, some close-outs, from HF, Northern and a local 
discount store. The worst is a sample from the local store which they 
decided not to stock. It's my loaner.

The 1990's model HF 1/4T has a sticky brake that makes lowering difficult 
when used near its capacity. It's useful at lower loads for its short height 
and low weight. In a horizontal pull it doesn't add much line sag to take up 
before pulling. It can lift practically anything in a "normal" house without 
industrial machine tools, plus a snow blower and at least one end of a 
riding mower.

My discontinued Northern "Roughneck" 1/2T and 1T are a little nicer than 
HF's. The 1/2T is also light and compact and if I didn't lift large logs and 
pull stumps would have been plenty for home and hobby use. Weight adds up 
when carrying the hoist plus sling chains in one hand and a tripod in the 
other. I bought the 1T, pre-owned, for its 12' chain for pulling leaning 
trees. With it at the smaller end of a 4500# log and the 2T a ways in from 
the big end they lifted it without exceeding their ratings.

The 2T is in the shed and its raining. IIRC it came from the local discount 
store because I didn't like the ratchet drag of the HF which would interfere 
with running unloaded chain in and out when the tripod blocks a full handle 
swing. The one I bought is similar, not as bad, so I hold the knob from 
turning with the other hand to activate the ratchet. Otherwise rocking the 
handle just rocks the chain instead of taking up slack. Pulling on the chain 
would work too except that I keep my hands off it when a heavy log might 
slip off its support.

Except as noted they all raise and lower a full load without difficulty, the 
difference is ease of moving the chain in Neutral. The load mustn't drop 
when switching from Up through Neutral to Down and releasing the brake may 
take some fiddling.

The 3/4T is an older Jet with no rubber on the handle. I like its smoother 
operation but it's no longer available. It has a separate lever that 
completely freewheels the chain. Really except for the very poorly machined 
sample they all work pretty well, with a slight nod to Northern if on sale 
or a closeout. This is the sort of tool I like to try before I buy, which 
favors HF.

The 90+ Lb carbide grinder is hanging from the 3/4T right now while I mount 
it on the frame of a hydraulic press I used only once, to help a friend.

The HF 1T chainfall is also nice, not too awkward to raise overhead to hang 
while on a stepladder and twice as fast as the 2T. It's more difficult than 
the lever hoists to use horizontally because the hand chain doesn't feed in 
well, but they can't lift above your reach. I store and carry them and 
slings in unbreakable rubber horse stall buckets which keep the hand chain 
out of the dirt in use.