Thread: Beaver lever block

With the F/R in the centre try pulling the black knob out and pulling on the chain.

If that fails put it in R and turn the knob.

If that fails just do a search for operating instructions.

Hi Pipeclay,

The black knob will not move in or out.

Tried searching for online instructions and found this

http://www.totaltools.com.au/secure/...fileid=1027164

The instructions do not work and are not very clear

Ken

Have you got the fixed hook attached to anything while you are trying to move the free chain.

You might have to put it into reverse and wind the handle... My little 250kg one when new worked a treat, the chain would spin freely when in neutral... Now it has a bit of age and neutral does not work so you have to wind the chain both ways with the lever..

Pipeclay, no. Am just trying to pull the chain out of the block by holding the body.

Those instructions say to put the up-down lever in neutral and rotate the hand knob in the direction the chain needs to go.
Wrong, the knob will only rotate in one direction, and that retracts the chain even more. It definitely wont budge the other way.

Ken

Seeing that it is new and "only used twice" it should still be fine.

I think it might be user error.

When you are trying to move the chain through neutral are you making sure there are not twists or kinks in the chain.

Have you checked to make sure that neutral is really neutral,if in neutral the centre knob should be able to be turned.

You may have to turn the knob slightly whilst moving the selector to achieve neutral.

Maybe you should of done a mechanical trade.

Originally Posted by pipeclay

Maybe you should of done a mechanical trade.

Maybe the instructions could have been written a bit better or maybe we should have been born with the knowledge or maybe we should have all used one before.
Sorry I can't help Ken as I have never used one before but there probably should be a safety catch so it doesn't all unravel when switching from forward to reverse

Phil

I have two lever blocks so just took some photos of the smallest one (1.5T). It is quite a few years old but still works ok. To release the chain the whole ratchet mechanism is disengaged from the rest of the block. This is done by pushing open the small latching lever near the main hook while pulling out the mechanism using the hand knob. The chain is then free to move. When ready to lift re-engage the mechanism by pushing back in.
Not sure how the mechanism is disengaged on your block but I can recall using some blocks where the main knob had to be manipulated to do this.

After adding the previous photos I thought I should have shown the block disengaged so here are a couple.

I have that exact block. They work as intended. Sometimes though they need a firm pull to free the chain from some internal lock even if in neutral.

Attach the hook on the body to something solid. Put the lever in neutral. Give the hook on the chain end a hard pull. It then should move freely.

Failing that, just spool the thing out in whatever direction you want it to go - it's not all that difficult.

I have 4 different sized chain lever blocks, the 250kg ones are the fiddliest IME. That 500kg Beaver block is the one I use all the time, it's just the right size for a lot of jobs.

PDW

Ken.

If you want to bring it over, I'll show you. I'm in the shop all day.

I'm sure they spin out, but its not easy. Otherwise it would go into free fall if you had a load on it and went from up to down on the selector. I think its a sprag clutch in under that knob.

And you'll never pull it out one handed while holding the block in the other. Tie it onto some thing like the tow bar of your car. Then give it a yank. As I mentioned on the phone last night, if you have a second set of hands, it helps to give that knob a spin, to get it started.

Regards Phil.

Originally Posted by neksmerj

I've just borrowed a lever block from one of our members, and I'm having trouble with it's operation.

I have been given some instructions, but nothing seems to work and I can't reach him again by phone.

I want to know how to pull the chain out of the block by say a metre.

I've tried placing the up-down lever midway and fiddling with the hand knob. Nothing happens, the handle free wheels around, the chain won't come out.

Any clues?

Attached is a pic.

Ken

you broken it already?....

Esky,

Busted already, gees I hope not, all I did was pick it up and put it the boot of my car after trying to haul a semi trailer up my steep driveway.

I'm going to get a demo tomorrow from the owner.

Ken

Originally Posted by neksmerj

I'm going to get a demo tomorrow from the owner.

like me....you dont listen the first time your told...