Abstract: A boiler tube gripper including a pair of pivotally connected members each of which is generally hook-shaped and provided with a generally semi-cylindrical inner surface to form a cylindrical opening when the pivotal members are pivoted to a closed position in encircling relation to a boiler tube or pipe with a lift element connected to one of the pivotal members at the periphery thereof to tilt the closed gripper which causes the diametrically opposed upper and lower edges of the closed gripper to engage the adjacent and remote surfaces of a boiler tube or pipe being gripped while being lifted and handled. The free ends of the pivotal members have a pin securing them in closed position with the pin being tethered to retain it in accessible position with the tether also serving to effectively release the pivotal members by pivoting one of the members toward open position.