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Thanks for taking your time to read our information on the chain blocks / chain hoists that are currently available on the UK market.
These are used for lifting or lowering something thats too heavy to lift by hand. Normally this means the use of a drum or lift-wheel around which rope or chain wraps. It may be manually operated, electrically or pneumatically driven.
We are just looking at the manual chain type models today.
What is a Chain Block Used For?
As I have said, these chain blocks are used for lifting heavy loads when speed is not the main aim but precision may be. They are designed to be used by just one person and don't really require much effort to use. Typical examples are if a mechanic needed to carefully lower an engine into a vehicle, or if a car needs to be pulled out from a dangerous spot.
They are also used a lot in factories to lift items on and off conveyer belts and they are popular with builders to lift heavy loads like beams up into place.
The hoist is normally attached by a beam clamp from the top hook and is operated by the lifting chain and the hand chain. The hand chain goes round the wheel that supports the lifting mechanism and when this chain is pulled through it, the lifting chain then lifts or lowers.
In a Hurry?
We provide a lot of information on this page, so if you want a quick answer, then the best chain block option is the SuperHandy Manual Chain Block Hoist
This is high quality and the best performing model that I can find. Obviously it's not the cheapest model but is actually quite reasonable for what you get.
"With over 500 online buyer reviews and a 94% buyer satisfaction rating, this is the most popular choice by UK buyers, based on our extensive research.
Best Rated Chain Blocks
We have completed researching the top chain blocks so as our readers don't have to. Below we have included the top few most popular of these that are currently sold online in the United Kingdom
SuperHandy Manual Chain Block Hoist Review
94% buyer satisfaction based on 500+ online buyer reviews.
- 22.38 x 18.69 x 15.7 cm; 8.1 Kilograms
- Rated at 1/2T 1100LBS (500Kg)
- Body/Load Chain/Hook are Black Oxide Finished & ALL are Heat Treated
- Max Lift/Headroom/Load Chain
- Diameter/Lever/Chain Length: 5' (FT) / 500 kgs // 28 cm / 5mm / 24.1 cm
- Hoist System Type: Weston Style
- Dual Pawl Brake System w/Molybdenum Steel Gears
This is one of the most popular models and it will lift half a ton. It gets really great reviews and is probably strong enough for most applications.
Silverline 633705 Chain Block Hoist, 1 Tonne Review
90% buyer satisfaction based on 1,000+ online buyer reviews.
- 25.4 x 18.4 x 16.8 cm; 4.54 Kilograms
- Rated at 1/2T 1100LBS (500Kg)
- Silverline have this in 4 models right up to 5000Kg
- 2.5m Lifting Height
- Powder-coated carbon steel hook & body mounts
- Provides excellent lifting & lowering strength from minimal effort
- Compact & lightweight for use in restricted spaces
- Hardened & galvanised alloy steel chains with mechanical brake
Silverline is a well known tool maker so you will know this is pretty good quality. It will lift around a ton and is half the price of our number one choice. It does feel a bit lighter in construction and i would be tempted to go for the more expensive, number one choice, above.
Hilka 84992000 Chain Block, 2000kg Review
94% buyer satisfaction based on 10+ online buyer reviews.
- 38.6 x 29.1 x 11.2 cm; 1.1 Kilograms
- Rated at 2000Kg
- 3m lifting height
- Powder-coated carbon steel hook & body mounts
- Provides excellent lifting & lowering strength from minimal effort
- Compact & lightweight for use in restricted spaces
- 24 month warranty
Again this is a quality manufacturer that's well known and respected. I really liked this model as it will lift a bit extra weight and also will go higher than most of the others. It is quite a new model so it's hard to find many other user reviews as yet.
Engine Hoist, Chain Block Lift Review
90% buyer satisfaction based on 10+ online buyer reviews.
- 25 x 15 x 15 cm; 7.1 Kilograms
- Rated at 1000Kg
- 3m lifting height
- Chain is made from steel
- Mechanical load brake
- Steel forging hook will not break but deform slowly
- Compact size, lightweight chain block for use in restricted spaces
Vorel 80751 Chain Block 1000 kg Review
92% buyer satisfaction based on 900+ online buyer reviews.
- 38.6 x 28.8 x 11.1 cm; 1.1 Kilograms
- Wide range of innovative Bosch Star lock accessories
- Effortless changing of all accessories thanks to magnetic tool holder with universal screw
- Maintain an exact cutting depth using the 4-stage depth stop
- Optimum guidance due to optional attachment of an auxiliary handle
- Good range of accessories included in this package
Chain Block Buying Tips
These buying tips should help narrow down your choices, and we think they are worth a quick read.
Tip 1 - What Weight are you Lifting
Have a think on what weight you are likely to be lifting. These blocks will lift ranges from 0.5 tonnes to roughly 50 tonnes so you want to have an idea on what capacity you are going to need.
I like to know what the heaviest weight that will need lifted then get something that will do double that. It's definitely better to be safe than sorry.
Tip 2 - What Height will you Need to Lift
As these have lifting ranges that will cover almost any height, you just need to make sure that you don't get something too short. An engine, for instance might need around 2m of clearance but I think it's always good to have some extra capacity, just in case.
Tip 3 - Mounting
This has to be decided based on your own circumstances. You can have a fixed mounted system with a hook or a trolley mounted chain block that you can move. Trolley mounted ones are great if you wish to shift the load about. Hook mounted ones are helpful if you can attach them in the workshop and the block doesn't need to move.
A very quick video review
We have looked over all the video reviews and found this great short presentation on the how to use a chain block. It gives you an instant idea of what to expect as well as telling you the best way to go about this
I hope you enjoy watching it as I always think its much better to see something in action rather than just reading about it or seeing pictures. This guy is particularly good at explaining the technique and he offers some very useful tips.
Still Undecided?
If you are still not sure, then remember our recommendation for the best chain block is the SuperHandy Manual Chain Block Hoist
"With over 500 online buyer reviews and a 94% buyer satisfaction rating, this is the most popular choice by UK buyers, based on our extensive research.