Lifting equipment, also known as lifting gear, is a broad category of machines and accessories used to lift, lower, or suspend loads. It can include: 

• Heavy machinery: Such as overhead cranes, forklifts, patient hoists, and building cradles 
• Smaller accessories: Such as chains, hooks, and rope 
• Lifting jacks and pallet trucks: These have hydraulic lifts 
• Winches: These provide a powered solution for moving heavy loads vertically or horizontally 
• Crane attachments: These include C-hooks, J-hooks, spreader beams, and tongs 
• Chain blocks: These are hand operated hoists that contain a chain wound around two wheels 
• Steel nuts: These often work with the eye bolts in anchoring a rigging system 

Lifting equipment is used in many fields, including construction, mining, oil and gas, engineering, steel manufacturing, ship building, power, and telecommunication. 

Lifting equipment can be dangerous to use, so it is a common subject of safety regulations in most countries. Heavy machinery usually requires certified workers to limit workplace injury.