A takeout tong head includes a support bracket having an upper portion adapted to be attached to a takeout arm and a lower portion having at least one cylinder housing. A cylinder and tong assembly is associated with each cylinder housing and includes a mounting flange removably attached to the cylinder housing, a cylinder extending into said cylinder housing, a piston member in said cylinder, a scissors tong assembly extending downwardly from said flange, a piston rod extending from the piston to the scissors tong assembly, and a spring contained between said flange and said piston member.