Manual winches
A hand winch is a manually operated hoisting device that pulls or lifts a load via a crank or lever, using a drum fitted with steel wire rope, webbing, or synthetic rope. Hand winches are either self-locking or equipped with a safety brake and are deployed for pulling forces from 150 to 7,500 kg — without a power supply, compact and ready for immediate use.
There are generally three reasons for choosing a hand winch. They are used as a backup system in the event of a power failure, for example. They may also be the right choice when usage frequency is low and a relatively modest investment is preferred — for instance, for occasionally opening and closing an inspection hatch. They also enable loads to be moved in remote locations where no electricity is available.
Mennens supplies hand winches for professional use in industry, construction, shipping, and installation engineering. Every hoisting winch carries the CE marking and complies with EN 14492-1. As an EKH-certified inspection company, we also handle the inspection and certification of your hand winches.
Designs and variants
Steel hand winches
Standard hand winches in steel for general industrial use. Available from 150 to 7,500 kg WLL. Robust, reliable, and ready for immediate use in construction, industry, and transport.
Stainless steel hand winches
Hand winches in stainless steel for applications requiring corrosion resistance — such as shipping, the food industry, outdoor installations, and chemical environments. Available in pulling force classes comparable to the standard steel version.
Theatre winches
A theatre winch is a high-grade yet exceptionally safe winch developed specifically for the entertainment industry. This winch complies with the latest standards for this sector. Special features of the theatre winches include:
- Equipped with two load-pressure brakes
- Fitted with a grooved drum and pressure roller
- Double steel wire rope attachment to the winch drum
- Safety factor 8:1
As a result, they comply with the European stage and entertainment standard EN 17206.
Lifting rope options — steel wire rope, webbing, or rope
Hand winches are supplied without rope or webbing — steel wire ropes, lifting slings, and synthetic rope are available as separate options. We will advise you on the right size, design, and WLL to match your hand winch and application.
- Steel wire rope: High pulling force, wear-resistant, suitable for heavy industrial environments.
- Webbing (polyester): Lightweight, flexible, non-damaging to delicate surfaces.
- Synthetic rope: Lightweight and buoyant, widely used in shipping.
Applications of hand winches
- Hoisting: Hand winches are perfect for safely raising and lowering heavy components such as pumps, sluice gates, anchors, machine parts, and theatre rigs. Ideal where reliable and controlled movement is critical.
- Pulling: Whether trolleys, (workshop) trains, hangar doors, canopies, or boats on trailers: with a hand winch, you can move heavy or unwieldy loads easily and under control.
- Tilting: For opening and tilting hatches, valves, and bridges, hand winches offer precise control — indispensable in maritime and industrial environments.
- Tensioning: Hand winches are excellent for keeping conveyor belts, sports nets (golf, volleyball), and protective nets over crops under tension.
Hand winches are deployed across a wide range of sectors:
- Building and construction
- Shipping and inland navigation
- Industry and manufacturing
- Installation engineering
- Offshore and petrochemicals
Inspection and certification of hand winches
Hand winches deployed as lifting equipment are subject to mandatory periodic inspection in accordance with occupational health and safety legislation. As a rule, the winch manufacturer specifies the minimum inspection and review intervals in the user manual. These intervals are always leading. Mennens is an EKH-certified inspection company and provides:
- Visual and technical inspection of the winch, winch rope, and attachment
- Inspection and load testing
- Inspection reporting and certification
- Repair of rejected components
More about our lifting equipment inspection
Standards and certification
- EN 13157 – European standard for hand-powered winches and hoisting equipment
- ISO 12100, DIN 15020
- Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC — CE marking mandatory for hoisting winches
Need a specific pulling force, design, or certification? Our specialists are ready to advise you.
