(57) A lifting device comprises a rotary pulley assembly (16) over which a link chain (12) passes. The pulley assembly (16) has a peripheral section having recesses in which the link chain fits, to establish a drive connection between the link chain (12) and pulley assembly (16). The pulley assembly (16) is spring loaded and is movable against the spring loading between two positions namely a first postion in which the pulley assembly (16) can rotate about its axis, and a second position in which a locking means prevents it from turning about its axis. The pulley assembly (16) moves to the second position when the chain (12) is attached to a load and the pulley is raised to lift the load. The locking is achieved by means of a sprocket wheel (68) on the pulley assembly (16) engaging a locking member (36). The sprocket wheel teeth pitching is less than the pitching of the recesses for the link chain so that the device can be fine tune positioned in relation to the centre of gravity of the load.