How to Fix a Chain Hoist that Won't Lower

It seems that it is a fairly common problem that a chain hoist lifts nicely but has a frozen braking system that won't allow the hoist to lower the load - sometimes not at all, or in come cases, not without excessive effort.
My inherited unit was totally frozen, and after taking it apart and getting it working nicely again, I thought I'd share the solution.

[@boba.9816]

Man I have spent my life repairing machinery of all shapes and sizes and have to admit I was baffled on my hoist. It's a vintage Cyclone model K that I just couldnt throw out. I never realized until your video that the pawl gear spun free; it was so seized I thought it was part of the assembly. KNEW I was missing something easy. Fixed in no time. It's great that guys like you dont think that your efforts mean a a lot when in fact sometimes it makes a world of difference to some one stumped. Thanks!

[@theSword-]

I have the same model k and the same problem. 🤣 thats what brought me here.
I tore mine apart too and it was glazed up, dirty brake pads. Works awesome now.

[@gerryowen5577]

I have huge appreciation for you in sharing this problem and solving it publicly. I have a very old Felco half ton chain hoist that would not lower a load. Your video gave me the information I needed to dismantle the drive chain and the clutch mechanism. The clutch screw mechanism was seriously seized and finally came apart. A bit of cleaning and a bit of carefully placed lubrication and it all works perfectly! Thank you Thank you!!!

[@RogerCurry-c7m]

Thanks for the video! I had a Harbor Freight 1 Ton Hoist that I hadn't used in a few years with this rusted problem. After removing the nut and cotter pin, the top piece just spins right off by hand. The rest of the parts were very similar to yours. Works great now.

[@johndonovan4309]

Thank you - thank you. After watching your video, I fixed my relatively new Harbor Freight one ton chain hoist in less than 15 minutes. Pulled a cotter pin from a notched nut, removed the nut, tapped the shaft and found it released the frozen clutch. Put the nut and cotter pin back on, put the control chain back on, put the cover back on, fastened 3 nuts and I was back in business. Thank you and thank TH-cam.

[@markavis7232]

Great! Seized Felco 10cwt unit which will not lower is in the back of my car; came home today from our museum - now I can see how it works. Many thanks for posting your video, from the Anson Engine Museum.

[@FrankBenlin]

Nice museum.

[@bopdoowop1]

I have the same Cyclone (1 ton model) and your video helped me get it working again. These old tools made in America refuse to give up!!

[@3rdstallgarage]

THANKS!!!!! I have an old budgit chain fall that I just could not figure out. Your video was the key to me figuring out what had been puzzling me for a whole weekend. Thanks so much!!

[@charliechua768]

Thank you! Your video enabled me to repair a 40 year old stuck up chain hoist.

[@OutdoorElements]

Awesome - glad you found it useful!

[@DuardoEh]

My 2 Ton Cyclone has exactly that problem. I wondered how it worked a few years ago but no more. Can't wait to get twisting n sanding tomorrow. Thanks for the perfect advice.

[@tomhumphries3146]

Thanks from the UK, just helped me sort out my chain hoist

[@rech1950]

Thanks for the video. I had the same problem but didn't have to do more than just pull really hard to release the brake. No rust or anything - just the normal operation of the chain block which I didn't understand until you explained it.

[@carmelpule6954]

A very ingenious logic to make a very useful and safe hoist. I would even say that it is beautiful in the way it operates, and it is a work of art as far as the movement and logic goes.

[@LongestCon]

Problem solved, thanks for taking the time to make this video

[@OutdoorElements]

Awesome :)

[@PROTEGE_OFICIAL]

Thank you very much! We had the same problem and were able to fix the chain hoist after watching your video.

[@me37594]

Thanks for the info, have mine tore apart and was just thinking that I probably need to look into the part that has the break.. good information, thank you

[@abangirfanabangabdulhalil7532]

Thank you very much, I repaired mine, loosen it up, than bam, smooth as silk. This video is very helpful, in my case I open both cover, in actual only one cover needed for the job

[@sniper6818]

Very helpful, I just found the exact hoist in my great grandfathers shed.

[@TitanBobL]

Good job. So the assembly of pieces that screw into the large round piece should be about finger tight?

[@Vassilika1]

important part starts around 5:20 thanks, helped me to fix mine :-)

[@marvinlyle5106]

Marvin L. well done and thank you so much!

[@roontunes]

thanks for posting this, just having this problem myself, very helpful

[@yota4004]

same problem here. was scratching my head on this yesterday. thanks!

[@kengill1127]

Thanks for this video , I’ve been struggling with this problem, solved it in 20 minutes , all the best

[@TheMightyAntar]

Worked like a dream on mine. Thanks for posting

[@dieselwrench3621]

I enjoyed your videos wish you would make some more 👍

[@mikewilson5101]

what would be the problem with the exact chain hoist only slipping going down? thanks

[@razana80]

Excellent job

[@6996todd]

Very very helpful!!! Thanks so much!!

[@FrankBenlin]

Good job, thanks.

[@patrickkane7207]

great, that will fix mine thank you Pat

[@jimharkin2855]

Excellent video

[@chrisrancat2808]

That did the trick, Thanks for the vid.

[@howardbenoit7474]

you're smart man

[@dtrrtd774]

I wonder if any of these manual chain hoists have something on the drive wheel that you could attach something like a cordless drill to drive it, under lighter loads. It seems like it'd be well within the torque range of a drill.

[@ramirosolmartin4260]

Exelent!!! Video !! Tanks

[@robstrobel9524]

Thank you .

[@mohamedhamde3562]

احسنت عمللك انت انسان جيد

[@OutdoorElements]

شكرا !

[@Hear2Help]

I have a Torin, and I cant get my to lower

[@eliseogarcia1064]

Thanks,, amigo Hope I can fix mine ,, Will not go down,,, which me luck

[@eliseogarcia1064]

Got it fixed ☺️ thanks por posting your experience to benefit others