How the C Head Works
The C Head’s defining feature is its open profile. The curved, C-shaped end wraps around or hooks behind rigging components, allowing a worker to apply directional force — pushing, pulling, or repositioning — without direct hand contact. Because both ends of the C are open, it can engage and disengage quickly without having to thread the tool around the material.
That open geometry is what separates it from the Shepherd Head. Where the Shepherd is designed for contact with the load surface itself, the C Head is at home working with the rigging between the crane hook and the load.
What It Contacts
The C Head is designed for direct engagement with:
Wire rope — Pushing or pulling a wire rope sling into position during rigging without putting hands near the tension point.
Chain — Controlling and positioning chain slings, adjusting drape or angle on a suspended load, or managing chain during hookup.
Synthetic slings — Guiding web or round slings into position on a load or through a lifting point without hand contact near the load edge.
Rigging hardware — Nudging shackles, hooks, or other hardware into alignment during a lift where direct hand contact would put fingers at risk.
Available Configurations
Amick builds the C Head in both steel and aluminum construction across multiple lengths:
Steel C Head Tools — Heavy-duty steel construction with wood handle, available in multiple lengths. Certain configurations feature a closed handle and 90° off-plane head angle, designed for reaching into tight or awkward spaces where a standard in-line tool won’t fit.
Aluminum Fixed Head Tools — Aluminum pole with fixed C Head, offering extended reach with reduced tool weight for less fatigue during long shifts. Available in multiple lengths.
Aluminum Removable Head Tools — Same lightweight aluminum construction with the option to swap the C Head out for a different head type as job requirements change. Available in multiple lengths.
When to Reach for the C Head
If the hazard is the rigging — not just the load — the C Head is the right call. It’s the tool for situations where a worker would otherwise have to put their hands near a tensioned sling, a chain under load, or hardware that’s moving or shifting. The open C profile gives enough engagement to apply meaningful directional force while keeping hands completely out of the pinch zone.
Part of a Larger System
The C Head is the second article in Amick’s no-touch tool head type series. Each head type is designed for specific contact points and applications — choosing the right one for the job is what makes no-touch tools effective rather than just present on the job site.
To discuss which configuration fits your operation, contact Amick at 412-429-1212 or visit the link below.