Abstract: A C-hook for lifting heavy coils, such as coils of steel, includes a lifting frame which has an upper arm that is formed with a lifting point in the form of integrally formed lug for receiving a lifting hook of a crane. A counterweight is fixed at a forward end of the upper arm. The lower end of the frame is formed with a slide that receives a slideable load support member in the form of foot. The foot has a forward front foot end for penetration of the lumen of a coil to be lifted. The opposite, rearward end of the foot is mechanically interlinked by a mechanical linkage to a coil backstop member. The mechanical linkage includes a lever arm, which pivots about a fixed pivot point that is fast with the frame. The foot and backstop member facilitate the balanced transportation of steel coils of varying widths.

Abstract: A vertical bore coil lifter for lifting coils of steel with reduced risk of the coil telescoping includes a pair of inside legs dimensioned to fit inside the bore of the coil with remote legs to support inner wraps of the bottom of the coil. Opposed outer legs traverse the outside of the coil and terminate in outer legs that oppose the inner legs. The outer legs supporting outer wraps of the coil and prevent telescoping of the coil while it is being lifted. The lifter may be selectively brought from an open configuration, in which the feet are drawn apart to release or receive a coil to a closed configuration in which the opposed feet are drawn together to cooperate in supporting the underside of the coil. In one embodiment an automatic latching and unlatching mechanism is provided to alternate between the release and closed configurations without need for operator intervention.