Abstract: A grab assembly for handling articles such as hot and cold steel ingots and molds, characterized by multiple current relays and limit switches that enable selection of different grip forces. The assembly comprises complemental tongs, an electrically powered drive for actuating the tongs and compressing springs which resiliently restrain the tongs in gripping engagement with an article, an electrically operated holding brake for maintaining such resilient restraint of the tongs, and a selector for rendering operative any one relay and corresponding limit switch which redundantly operate to stop the powered drive and set the holding brake in response to motor current and spring compression reaching respective predetermined amounts corresponding to a respective desired gripping force at the tongs. Also disclosed is a crane employing the grab assembly.