Types of Lifting Equipment For Use in the Material Handling Industry
Types of Lifting Equipment For Use in the Material Handling Industry
Material lifting equipment is a critical tool for many businesses. It can prevent workplace accidents, save labor costs and improve productivity.
These tools can be found in construction, auto shops, warehouses and other industries. They include straddle stackers, lift tables and hydraulic car lifts. Also found are pneumatic and mechanical grippers, vacuum lifters and magnetic lifts.
Lifting Beams
Whether your operation requires the handling of paper, cloth or plastic film rolls, steel coils, billets, slabs or round materials, lifting beams can help you meet and even exceed your expectations. Custom designed by expert suppliers, these heavy-duty rigging tools are able to withstand bending forces, preventing the load from spinning during transport. The multiple bottom lifting points of a lifting beam also offer flexibility in connecting to the load, whether it has a central or elongated center of gravity.
Aside from facilitating a more stable lift, these tools can also prevent damage to loads by evenly distributing the weight over a greater area. Their robust design enables them to withstand shear stresses caused by a force trying to slide one section of the load past another, as well as bending moments from a load’s uneven weight distribution.
Lifting beams are often used for shorter span lifts that don’t require a lot of headroom. They can be equipped with various bottom attachment hardware, including fixed or pivoting J hooks and adjustable lugs. They can also be customized to include additional lifting locations at variable or fixed increments.
Spreader Beams
Despite their similar names, there are key differences between spreader beams pallet truck supplier and lifting beams. The primary distinction is in their design, with spreader beams being more suitable for a wide range of loads than lifting ones. For example, a spreader beam has multiple bottom attachment points that allow it to stabilize asymmetrical loads with uneven weight distributions. This makes them particularly well-suited for use in urban construction environments where buildings are closely spaced and there is limited overhead space.
On the other hand, a lifting beam typically has a single, centralized bail that connects to a crane or hoist hook and can support only a relatively flat load distribution. The differences between these two types of below-the-hook equipment also impact the way they handle loads. Specifically, while lifting beams are designed to absorb bending stresses, spreader bars are more effective at handling shear stresses.
Both spreader and lifting beams require regular inspection and maintenance to ensure they operate safely. The slings and other rigging components should be examined for signs of wear, while the bottom attachment points should be checked to make sure they are secure and free from damage. This ensures that the correct forces are being applied to the load during lifting and rigging operations, while protecting personnel and equipment from unnecessary stress or damage.
C-Hooks
C-hooks are specialized lifting devices used to hold and lift metal coils. Also known as below the hook attachments, or end effectors, they are designed to attach to an overhead crane’s hoist and handle a variety of different loads. They are available in a wide range of sizes and types to suit specific operating conditions.
Coil handling c hooks are a common choice for customers who need to manipulate steel, copper, or other metallic coils in their work area. These c hooks can be utilized at work stations, transportation storage yards, and truck terminals. They can be adapted to a variety of equipment to perform their function, and they are easy to maneuver, durable, and require little maintenance.
The ram design for these c-hooks features a curved surface to prevent damage to the coil. They are balanced to hang level when empty or full, and the crane operator can control the process from the controls ideally from a safe distance. A counterweight can be added for additional load stability.
There are many options for a c-hook, including motorized rotation, mill duty coil lifters, storage stands, protective pads, digital weighing systems, and designs for narrow coils. These c-hooks can be clad in a variety of materials, depending on the application. For example, a nickel clad c-hook is designed to submerge wire or rod coils in an acid pickling line.
Magnets
A magnetic lifting magnet works by using an electric current to create a powerful magnetic field around a ferromagnetic core. This makes it possible to lift and transport pallet truck supplier ferromagnetic materials, making it ideal for applications like scrap yards and manufacturing. These types of magnets are usually used with a crane to move heavy loads, and the capacity can be adjusted by varying the amount of electricity that flows through the coil.
The most common type of magnet is the permanent lifting magnet. This is the most energy-efficient option for handling ferromagnetic materials, and it can also handle extremely heavy loads. These types of magnetic lifters are commonly attached to a crane, and they can be operated by simply attaching the hook to the material and pressing down on the lever.
Another popular choice for lifting ferrous materials is the battery activated magnet. These are easy to use and prevent uncontrolled drops by preventing the demagnetization of the magnet. This type of magnetic equipment can also handle curved surfaces, unlike other models that are only suitable for flat materials.
When using a battery powered magnet, it’s essential to check the condition of the back-up batteries and ensure that the control box has a backup alarm. In addition, a test piece of non-metallic material should be inserted to verify the magnetic adhesion every time before the equipment is used.