Abstract: A tong 200 for use in lifting articles such as aluminum or steel ingots and the like comprising an elongated leg member 210, a pivot member 212 fixedly attached to and depending from leg 210, said pivot member having an upper portion and a lower portion 220, an upper link 214 pivotally attached to and projecting outwardly of said upper portion of said pivot member, a lower link 218 pivotally attached to and projecting outwardly of said lower portion of said pivot member, a tong bit 224 having an upper portion 225 disposed outwardly of said pivot member and a lower portion 261, said upper portion of said tong bit being pivotally attached to upper link 214, said lower portion of said tong bit being pivotally attached to lower link 218, said lower portion of said tong bit extending under said pivot member and having an innermost end 246 projecting inwardly of said pivot member, and means 230 for resiliently restraining said tong bit against pivot member 212.