Abstract: A fabric tenter device having a pivotally mounted roof which may carry a nozzle box is provided with a counterbalance assembly enabling the roof and box to be pivotally shifted from the tenter covering to an open position by manual lifting forces. The counterbalance assembly is comprised of a lever divided into two arms, the lever being pivotally mounted on a fulcrum fixed to the tenter housing. The lever includes a weight arm underlying the roof and a power arm to the opposite side of the fulcrum. A chain having one end fixed to the power arm has its other end attached to a spring mechanism carried by the weight arm, the chain being arranged over a guide roller or rollers in such manner that the spring is tensioned to its maximum extent when the roof is in the tenter covering position.