A Chain Block (also known as a hand chain hoist) is a mechanism used to lift and lower heavy loads using a chain. Chain blocks contain two wheels which the chain is wound around. When the chain is pulled, it winds around the wheels and begins to lift the item that is attached to the rope or chain via a hook. Chain Blocks can also be attached to lifting slings or chain bags to lift the load more evenly.
A Chain Block contains a lifting chain, a hand chain and a grabbing hook. Most chain blocks are operated using electricity, but manual chain blocks can be used too. First, the chain block needs to be connected to the load via the grabbing hook. Then when the hand chain is pulled, the chain tightens its grip on the wheel and forms a loop inside the mechanism causing a tension which lifts the load from the ground.
Due to its lifting capabilities, Chain Blocks are commonly used in garages where they are able to remove engines from cars easily. Because they can be operated by one person, Chain Blocks are a wonderfully efficient way to complete jobs which may have taken more than two workers to do.
Chain Blocks are also used on construction sites where they can lift loads from the higher levels, in assembly line factories to lift items to and from the belt and sometimes even to winch cars from a treacherous terrain.
