The Tractel TU-32 Griphoist rental from LGH.
A Griphoist is a portable manual wire rope hoist used for lifting, pulling, lowering, tensioning, and positioning loads. Also known as a Tirfor, grip hoist, Tractel Griphoist, manual wire rope hoist, or rope hoist, this tool is valued for its portability, control, and ability to work in areas where powered hoists or winches may not be practical.
Unlike traditional hoists that use chain or drum-stored cable, a Griphoist uses a specialized wire rope that passes through the hoist body. This allows the tool to provide long travel distances, precise load positioning, and controlled movement in horizontal, vertical, or angled applications.
For rigging crews, contractors, maintenance teams, and industrial users, a Griphoist can be one of the most versatile tools on the jobsite.
Jobsite construction workers using a Tractel Griphoist rental from LGH to hoist a load.
A Griphoist is a hand-operated wire rope hoist designed to move loads with controlled, incremental force. Depending on the setup, it can be used as a hoist, winch, tensioner, puller, or positioning tool.
Griphoists are commonly used when crews need to move a load but do not have access to electric power, compressed air, a crane, or a larger hoisting system. Because the tool is compact and portable, it works well in remote locations, tight-access areas, confined spaces, and field applications.
Common names for this equipment include:
A Griphoist operates by using internal jaws that grip and move a special wire rope through the hoist body. As the operator moves the handle, the jaws alternately grip the rope and pull it forward in a hand-over-hand motion.
The wire rope does not wrap around a drum. Instead, it passes straight through the unit. This means the available pulling length or lifting height is limited mainly by the length of wire rope being used.
The operator can use the forward lever to lift, pull, or tension the load. The reverse lever allows the load to be lowered, released, or repositioned in controlled increments.
This design gives the Griphoist precise control, making it useful for alignment, positioning, tensioning, and controlled load movement. Check out our YouTube video below to see a visual demonstration of how a Griphoist works.
The main features of a Griphoist are portability, manual operation, long wire rope travel, precise load control, and the ability to work in multiple orientations.
Key features include:
Important note: Griphoists require the correct manufacturer-approved wire rope. Using generic, damaged, or incompatible wire rope can damage the hoist and create serious safety risks.
The biggest difference between a Griphoist and many other hand winches is how the rope moves through the tool.
Many hand winches store cable on a drum. As the winch operates, the cable winds onto or off the drum. A Griphoist does not use a drum. Instead, the wire rope passes through the hoist body, allowing for long pulling distances without being limited by drum storage capacity.
This makes a Griphoist especially useful when crews need:
A traditional hand winch may work well for shorter pulls or fixed setups. A Griphoist may be the better choice when the job requires flexibility, portability, and controlled movement over longer distances.
A Tractel Tirfor, aka a Griphoist, being used to move a chiller on an industrial jobsite in Chicago.
A Griphoist can be used across many industries because it functions as a hoist, winch, puller, tensioner, and positioning tool. It is especially useful for jobs where larger equipment cannot fit or where the work area does not have power access.
Common Griphoist applications include:
Because a Griphoist can be anchored in different orientations, it is useful for horizontal, vertical, and angled applications when the full setup is properly planned and rated.
Griphoists are often used in construction, public works, and civil engineering because they can help move, align, and position loads without requiring powered equipment.
Common construction uses include moving formwork, positioning precast concrete, aligning structural components, lifting work platforms, suspending temporary systems, dragging materials, and tensioning guy ropes.
On jobsites where access is limited or conditions change throughout the day, the portability of a Griphoist makes it a practical option for crews that need controlled pulling or lifting from different locations.
Griphoists can also be used for pipe laying, pipe alignment, and jointing work. Crews may use a Griphoist to position pipe sections for welding, pull concrete pipes together, or make controlled adjustments during installation.
Because the tool allows gradual movement, it can help crews align pipe sections without relying on larger equipment that may not fit the work area.
Griphoists are useful for erecting, plumbing, and aligning steel structures. Crews can use them to make small controlled adjustments when positioning beams, frames, silos, and other steel components.
This is one area where the Griphoist’s precise control is especially valuable. Instead of making large movements, crews can apply force incrementally until the component is aligned.
In industrial settings, Griphoists are commonly used for installation, removal, and maintenance work. They can help move machine tools, presses, fabricated components, and other heavy equipment.
Industrial crews may use a Griphoist for:
Because the tool does not require electricity or compressed air, it can be used in areas where powered equipment is not available or practical.
Griphoists are also used in elevator, escalator, utility, and telecommunications work.
For elevator and escalator applications, a Griphoist can help with loading, unloading, positioning, and rigging prefabricated components. For utility and telecommunications work, it can support transformer positioning, aerial and antenna erection, overhead cable tensioning, underground cable work, and guy rope tensioning.
Other industries that may use Griphoists include oil and chemical, mining, quarrying, shipbuilding, marine engineering, rail, road transport, fire services, civil defense, and agriculture.
Choosing the right Griphoist starts with the load, direction of pull, required travel distance, and application type. The correct model depends on whether the tool will be used for lifting, pulling, lowering, tensioning, or positioning.
Before choosing a Griphoist, consider:
The correct wire rope is just as important as the hoist itself. A Griphoist should only be used with the proper wire rope designed for that model.
The Tractel TU-32 Griphoist rental inside an LGH rental center.
LGH rents Tractel Griphoist models for lifting, pulling, lowering, tensioning, and positioning applications. Available models include the Griphoist TU-28, Griphoist TU-32, and Griphoist T-532.
LGH also carries accessories that can be paired with Griphoists, including:
For more complex setups, sheave blocks may be used to change the direction of pull or increase mechanical advantage when the complete rigging arrangement is properly planned.
Yes, a Griphoist can be used for certain lifting applications when the equipment, wire rope, anchor point, rigging hardware, and full setup are properly rated. Griphoists are designed for lifting, pulling, lowering, tensioning, and positioning, but users must follow the manufacturer’s instructions and never exceed the rated capacity.
Before lifting with a Griphoist, crews should verify:
A Griphoist is a manual tool, but it still requires proper planning, inspection, and qualified use.
The Griphoist remains a valuable tool because it combines portability, versatility, and precise control.
Key advantages include:
For many jobs, the Griphoist is not the largest or fastest option. Its value comes from control, simplicity, and flexibility in difficult conditions. Check out our YouTube video below to learn how to troubleshoot a Tractel Griphoist.
A Griphoist is one of the most versatile manual tools in a rigging setup. It can lift, pull, lower, tension, and position loads using a specialized wire rope that passes through the hoist body. This through-rope design gives crews long travel distance, precise control, and flexibility in locations where powered equipment may not be practical.
From construction and civil engineering to pipe work, steel structures, utilities, industrial maintenance, and equipment positioning, Griphoists support a wide range of lifting and pulling applications.
For help choosing a Griphoist, grip hoist, Tractel Griphoist, or manual wire rope hoist for your next project, contact LGH today or call 800-878-7305 to speak with a rental specialist.
A Griphoist is a portable manual wire rope hoist used for lifting, pulling, lowering, tensioning, and positioning loads. It uses internal jaws to move a specialized wire rope through the hoist body.
Griphoist and Tirfor are closely related terms and are often used interchangeably in the field. Both refer to Tractel manual wire rope hoists used for controlled lifting, pulling, lowering, and tensioning applications.
A grip hoist operates by using internal jaws that alternately grip and move wire rope through the hoist body. As the operator moves the handle, the jaws pull the wire rope in controlled increments. The tool can move the rope forward or backward depending on the lever being used.
The main features of a grip hoist include manual operation, a through-rope design, forward and reverse movement, precise load control, long wire rope travel, portability, and use in horizontal, vertical, or angled applications.
Choose the right grip hoist by reviewing the load weight, working load limit, lifting or pulling direction, required wire rope length, anchor point, rigging hardware, and jobsite conditions. The wire rope must be compatible with the specific Griphoist model.
Yes, a Griphoist can be used with sheave blocks when the full rigging setup is properly planned and all components are rated for the load. Sheave blocks can help change the direction of pull or increase mechanical advantage.
A Griphoist uses specialized wire rope designed for the hoist’s internal jaw mechanism. Generic or incompatible rope should not be used because it can damage the unit or create unsafe operating conditions.
LGH is North America’s largest single organization devoted exclusively to the provision of lifting and moving equipment for rent. LGH holds the most comprehensive inventory for hoisting, rigging, jacking, pulling, material handling, and safety equipment. With over 90,000 pieces, discover your next project solution at RentLGH.com.
