Heavy Duty Hoists At Shepard Niles. we have a 130-year-old reputation for building the toughest hoists in the business. Our line of heavy-duty hoists rated up to 40 tons features low-headroom designs, totally enclosed two-speed motors, and hardened, ground-form gearing for long life. We specialize in hoists for severe service MHIA Class H4 and H5 applications– workhorse products that stand up to heavy use. If you need a hoist that runs longer and makes more lifts, operating up to 52 minutes out of every hour, you need a Shepard Niles hoist. Hoists from 1/2 to 40 tons The Shepard Niles base-mounted and double girder trolley hoist rated for 5 tons and over is a rugged hoist intended for use in severe service MHIA Class H4 and H5 applications where standard, off-the shelf hoist units are not an option. In addition to heavy-duty construction, these hoists offer the advantages of a small hook approach, space-saving design, silent, vibration-free running and minimal maintenance.