Abstract: A center lifting device for lifting and transferring rolls of material, such as paper rolls and the like, having two parts, one inside the other, which can be moved over a limited distance in relation to each other and fitted partly into the hollow in the roll of material, whereby the upper end of the inner part can be attached to a lifting device. The lower end of the outer part has a gripping member thereon, which expands and contracts under the effect of relative movement of the parts, for attaching the center lifting device to the hollow in the roll of material. The upper end of the outer part has a bolt device for preventing the inner part from rising in relation to the outer part.