Abstract: A ratchet lever hoist (10) which includes an overload clutch (19) enclosed within the hoist handwheel (16). The handwheel is driven through a spline connection with the input drive hub (24) of the hoist, and carries a plurality of first clutch disks 94. Second clutch disks (100) are carried by a load brake drive member (34) and frictionally engage the clutch disks (94) through friction disks (106) bonded to the second clutch disks (100). The clutch is preloaded to a torque capacity corresponding to the rated load of the hoist or a predetermined value over the rated load, such that the clutch will slip, preventing rotation of the load brake drive member when the torque capacity of the clutch is exceeded.