Abstract: A manually controlled lifting device is provided including a pneumatic lifting drive, a lifting member, a load carrying means, a pressure source, a pressure line, a flow control device, a pneumatic pressure switch and a vent drive. The lifting member is arranged on the pneumatic lifting drive and is a load transmitting component of at least two parts. The load carrying means is attached to the lifting member for carrying a load. The pressure line has a first end and a second end where the first end is in communication with the pressure source and the second end is in communication with the pneumatic lifting drive. The flow control device is in communication with the pressure line and integrated between the two parts of the load transfer component and the pressure source. The flow control device automatically varies a cross section of flow in the pressure line in relation to a load acting on the load carrying means.