Chain Hoist Hire

Chain hoist hire prices depend on the SWL (capacity), the chain length, and how long you need the hoist. Daily rates suit short rigging jobs, while weekly hire works out cheaper per day for longer use. Smaller capacities cost less than larger ones. Call Hirelink or submit an enquiry for current pricing on the SWL and chain length you need.

Hirelink stocks manual chain hoists from 500kg up to 10 tonne safe working load. Standard chain lengths typically run 3m, 6m, 9m, and 12m, with longer chains available on request. The most commonly hired sizes are 1T and 2T, which cover most general lifting jobs. Tell the team what you’re lifting and how high, and they’ll recommend the right combination.

SWL (safe working load) is the maximum weight the hoist is rated to lift in normal use. It already includes a safety margin against the chain’s breaking load (the point at which the chain would actually fail), so always work to the SWL figure and never assume you can go higher. As a rule of thumb, pick a hoist with at least 25 percent more SWL than your actual load.

There’s no legal requirement for formal qualifications to use a manual chain hoist for most trade applications, but you must use it safely and in line with the manufacturer’s guidance. For commercial site work, lifting operations should be planned by a competent person and follow LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998). If your team handles regular lifting, look into Appointed Person or Slinger/Signaller training.

No. Manual chain hoists are rated for vertical lifting only. Using one to pull a load sideways or at an angle puts uneven stress on the chain and the hooks, which can cause failure. If you need to pull horizontally or at an angle (for tensioning, recovery, or positioning), hire a lever hoist or come-along instead. Ask the team.

The anchor point you hang the hoist from must be rated for at least the SWL of the hoist plus the load you’re lifting, with a safety margin. On a building site, that usually means a structural beam, a properly rated gantry, or a certified lifting point. Don’t hang a chain hoist from scaffold tubes, exposed pipework, or anything you’re not sure about. If you need advice, the team can talk you through it.

Yes. Chain hoists are a common hire for event rigging, where they’re used to lift speakers, lighting trusses, drapes, and other equipment into position. The 500kg and 1T capacities are the most common for event use. Tell the team your venue and rigging requirements when you book.

Yes, on request. Every hoist in our fleet is inspected and tested between hires. If you need a current test certificate for LOLER compliance or to satisfy a site’s documentation requirements, let us know when you book and we’ll have it ready with the hoist.

Standard lifting PPE applies. Wear a hard hat (to protect against falling objects or accidental release), safety gloves (chains can pinch and the hand chain can mark hands over long lifts), and safety boots with toe protection. Keep clear of the suspended load. Never stand under a load, and make sure anyone else on site knows a lift is in progress.

Yes. Hirelink offers daily hire on the full chain hoist range. Daily hire suits one-off lifts like an engine pull, a single rigging job, or a short maintenance task. For anything beyond two or three days, weekly hire is usually better value.

Hirelink is a Midlands-based hire company with four depots covering Birmingham and Staffordshire. National hire chains run larger national fleets but work through national call centres and longer delivery distances. For trade and event customers across the West Midlands, Hirelink offers local service, a team that knows the region, and a direct line for advice on the right hoist for your lift.

For most hires we’ll need photo ID (driving licence), proof of address dated within the last three months, and a small refundable deposit. Trade customers with an account just need to confirm the booking. For commercial site use, also bring any site documentation that needs the test certificate attached.