In elevator and escalator work, the toughest part often isn’t the installation, it’s getting the equipment into position. Machine rooms buried inside buildings, narrow hallways, tight shafts, low headroom, and restricted access routes make rigging one of the most challenging aspects of any modernization or replacement project. Traditional lifting methods simply don’t fit these environments.
Across North America, LGH works with elevator contractors who face these constraints every day. Whether it’s a high-rise machine room or a compact MRL system, these restrictions put pressure on already demanding timelines.
In spaces with low clearance, narrow paths, and no-crane access, the right rigging gear isn’t optional. It’s what makes the lift possible. This blog will show you the essential tools elevator teams rely on to move heavy equipment safely and efficiently in the tightest conditions.
Manual and electric chain hoists are essential tools for elevator contractors who need precise, controlled lifting in spaces where headroom, access, or structural constraints limit larger equipment. Their compact size, reliable operation, and ability to deliver steady vertical movement make them ideal for machine rooms, tight shafts, and interior lifts where accuracy matters.
An electric chain hoist in an elevator shaft.
LGH offers an extensive selection of hand chain hoists, often referred to as chain falls, chain blocks, or block-and-tackle hoists from trusted manufacturers like Coffing, Nitchi, Tiger, and Harrington. With capacities ranging from 1 ton to 50 tons, including popular 2-ton, 3-ton, and 5-ton models, these hoists provide dependable performance for a wide range of elevator modernization and equipment replacement tasks. Their portability, rugged construction, and customizable chain lengths allow crews to adapt to unique site constraints and lift requirements.
For projects that benefit from powered lifting, LGH also supplies compact, lightweight electric chain hoists designed for smooth, efficient operation in restricted spaces. Powered by durable electric motors, these hoists reduce manual effort, improve ergonomics, and maintain consistent lifting speed and control. Corrosion-resistant components and high-temperature performance ensure reliable operation in demanding environments. When paired with an electric hoist trolley, they offer even greater flexibility by enabling horizontal travel and precise load positioning along beams.
Why they matter in elevator projects:
Manual and electric chain hoists give elevator crews the dependable, controlled lifting they need to work safely and efficiently inside confined interior spaces.
Lever hoists are one of the most adaptable tools used in elevator work, especially when loads need to be pulled, shifted, or adjusted in tight, awkward, or angled positions. Their compact size and manual, lever-driven operation make them ideal for areas where traditional hoists can’t fit or where precise control is required.
LGH offers a full range of lever hoists, also known as come-alongs, ratchet hoists, and lever chain hoists, from trusted manufacturers like Harrington. These tools provide dependable lifting and pulling power for both vertical and horizontal applications, including angular pulls through narrow access paths or during complex equipment removals.
Capacities range from 3/4 ton to 9 tons, with popular models like the 1 1/2 ton, 3 ton, and 6 ton options available. Crews can also select custom chain lengths to match the space they’re working in, ensuring the hoist performs effectively even in the most confined environments.
Why they matter in elevator projects:
Ideal for making precise adjustments during tight or angled pulls
Compact enough to operate where traditional hoists cannot
Suitable for vertical and horizontal movement in confined areas
Provide reliable control when navigating complex interior paths
Lever hoists give elevator contractors the precision and flexibility they need to move equipment safely and efficiently through the most restrictive spaces.
Elevator projects rarely allow for exterior crane access, making gantry cranes one of the most important lifting tools for interior modernization work. Their portability, adjustability, and ability to lift heavy components in confined spaces make them ideal for machine rooms, basements, and tight service corridors.
LGH offers aluminum, steel, and hydraulic gantry cranes, giving contractors the flexibility to match the equipment to the space and the load.
Our aluminum gantries are lightweight, modular, and easy to transport through buildings. With capacities ranging from 1 ton to 5 tons and adjustable height and span to accommodate low headroom and tight access routes.
For heavier interior lifts, LGH supplies steel gantries from trusted manufacturer Spanco, with capacities ranging from under a ton up to 10 tons. These adjustable-height A-series models roll smoothly into place and support a wide range of hoisting devices, making them a dependable choice for controlled lifting inside buildings.
When projects call for high capacity or precise vertical movement, LGH’s hydraulic gantries provide the performance needed. Our 20-ton hydraulic gantry can lift or position large elevator machinery in restrictive spaces, and when configured as a 4-point system, capacity increases to 40 tons for larger or more complex lifts.
Why they matter in elevator projects:
Deliver lifting power where cranes can’t reach
Adjustable height helps overcome low-headroom challenges
Portable enough to move through buildings and position precisely
Capable of handling both light and heavy elevator components
Gantry cranes bring the controlled, dependable lifting power required for the confined environments where elevator contractors work every day.
Before any lift can happen, elevator equipment often needs to travel deep into a building- down hallways, around corners, up ramps, or through utility spaces that are too tight for manual handling. Winches and tuggers provide the steady, controlled pulling force needed to move heavy components safely through these long interior routes.
LGH offers both air and electric winches, giving contractors options that match the demands of the job. Our air winches, sourced from respected manufacturers such as Thern, Ingersoll Rand, Wintech, Ram, and Michigan Pneumatic Tool (MPT) range from 1,000 lbs. to 22,000 lbs. and are available in both long-drum and short-drum configurations. These pneumatic units deliver reliable pulling power in tough environments and are especially valuable when steady, continuous force is needed.
For jobs requiring compact, efficient pulling inside buildings, LGH also provides electric winches from My-Te, including the widely used 100AB (1,000 lbs.) and AC36B (3,000 lbs.) models. These portable electric tuggers offer precise control, smooth operation, and optional safety features like E-Stop cable stoppers.
Why they matter in elevator projects:
Provide controlled pulling through tight, restricted interior paths
Reduce strain and increase safety when moving equipment long distances
Support precise staging before the final lift
Ideal for navigating slopes, turns, and uneven floors
Winches and tuggers help crews move heavy loads efficiently, long before the lifting even begins.
In elevator work, safe lifting starts with a dependable overhead anchor point, and in many buildings, structural beams are the only option available. Beam clamps/beam trolleys provide a secure connection for hoists and lifting systems, making them essential when space is limited and precision is critical.
LGH carries a wide range of beam clamps, from 1 ton to 30 tons, sourced from trusted manufacturers like Lindapter, Riley Lifting Equipment, and Oz Lifting Products. Our inventory includes everything from fixed and swivel-jaw Superclamps to adjustable and flush-mount options, ensuring crews can anchor safely in nearly any building configuration.
Why they matter in elevator projects:
Provide safe, secure anchoring in machine rooms and shaft areas
Support hoists and lifting systems when overhead structure is limited
Trolleys allow smooth horizontal travel along beams for precise positioning
Ideal for controlled lifting over open shafts or tight machine-room spaces
With the right clamp or trolley in place, crews can lift confidently, even in the most restrictive environments.
Elevator and escalator projects demand rigging solutions that can perform in environments where space, access, and movement are limited. From navigating narrow hallways to working under low headroom or maneuvering heavy components deep inside a building, the challenges are unique—and the margin for error is small. The right combination of lifting, moving, and positioning tools is what makes these lifts possible, safe, and efficient.
LGH understands the realities elevator contractors face every day, because we support these projects across North America. Our team provides safe, certified, reliable equipment specifically suited for tight spaces, interior lifts, and complex access routes, along with the expertise to help you choose what works best for your job. When every inch matters, and every moment counts, LGH is here to help you keep your project moving forward with confidence.
LGH is North America’s largest single organization devoted exclusively to the provision of lifting and moving equipment for rent. LGH Canada holds the most comprehensive inventory for hoisting, rigging, jacking, pulling, material handling, and safety equipment. Discover your next project solution at RentLGH.ca
