The gripper for lifting and moving steel coils in a horizontal position provides reliable and safe movement of the load, it is very simple and convenient in operation. This gripper has no moving parts and is equipped with a detachable multi-plate counterweight that can be removed or added to center the gripper. The part of this gripper, which is in direct contact with the steel roll, is made of a thick-walled round pipe, which prevents the load being lifted from jamming. Thus, the gripper is most suitable for performing a large volume of loading and unloading operations.