Abstract: An apparatus to facilitate lifting of heavy loads. The apparatus provides for a hand operated crank which rotates an input shaft which in turn rotates an output shaft which causes lifting of the load. The load would normally be mounted on a platform or other similar type of supporting structure. The apparatus includes a brake assembly which, upon stopping of supplying of the input torque, the brake assembly would automatically hold the load in its lifted position. Also, if the operator wishes to lower the load, reverse rotation of the input shaft will cause the load to be lowered.