The extent of your crane system doesn’t have to end at the tip of your hoist hook. There are a myriad of accessories, add-ons and attachments that can complement your lifting equipment and make your material handling needs even effortless.
The type of attachment depends heavily on the industry and material type as some applications require a different approach. For lifting flat sheets of material, a magnet or vacuum lifter may be the best bet, however if the load is more cumbersome or oddly shaped, a cady lifter and rigging accessories would be more advantageous.
LIFTING MAGNETS
Lifting magnets are available with permanent, electro-permanent, battery powered, and electromagnetic technologies and are best utilized with the material handling of metal materials.
Permanent - Within the magnetic lifter are two sets of magnets. One of these magnets can be physically rotated by a lever to reverse the polarity thereby controlling the magnetic field. Adversely, the magnets can be rotated towards each other, which moves the magnetic field inward and effectively turning the lifter off
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Electro- Permanent - Works in the same way a Permanent magnet does, however the polarity can be switched with an electric current, rather than manually.
Battery Powered - The magnetic current of these lifters can be controlled via battery power rather than manually or with an electric current. This frees them of restricting cords and wires and allows for their use in areas where electric power is unavailable.
Electromagnetic - The magnetic field is produced by an electric current. By utilizing this technology the magnetic field can be quickly changed depending on the amount of current which allows it to lift heavier loads and be a more diverse magnet overall. However, this requires a constant supply of current to maintain the magnetic field.
Learn more about lifting magnets here.
VACUUM LIFTERS
In some cases, magnetic lifters can be ineffective if the material being lifted is incompatible with a magnet, such as plastic or glass or if the material is highly fragile and requires a more delicate approach.
Vacuum lifters can be supplied as basic as a handheld suction cup or as complex as a pump-powered, multi-pad device. A vacuum lifters cups or pads are usually comprised of synthetic materials such as silicone and nitrile, making them soft and malleable. These are connected by pneumatic tubes to a pump which can be controlled automatically, manually or remotely.
Once a proper seal is created between the suction devices and the material, they can both be elevated and manipulated through the work environment.
Vacuum lifters are commonly utilized for the handling of large flat materials, such as sheets of metal and glass. However, vacuum lifters are also employed in the food industry for packaging purposes (such as distributing raw eggs into separate cartons), as well as the shipping industry to aid in the quick loading and unloading of containers.
Learn more about vacuum lifters here.
LIFTING CLAMPS
A basic and simple attachment with multiple applications and designs. Heavy duty clamps are used to literally clamp to, pitch, and elevate flat materials.
Styles include vertical, horizontal and hinged designs, as well as multiple fastening options such as hand clamp, screw clamp, gentle grip and heavy duty and have the ability to easily lift over 20,000lbs.
Lifting clamps are an inexpensive option to address a multitude of application needs for a variety of load types.
Learn more about lifting clamps here.
RIGGING
Rigging equipment is comprised of a large variety of wire ropes, clevis', shackles, links, hooks, slings and chains designed to work together to safely elevate and move loads of diverse size and weights.
Rigging is used in a variety of industries and applications, from lifting large materials in industrial environments to creating theatrical stage and arena shows.
Learn more about rigging here.
CADY LIFTERS
Cady lifters work as an extra load beam and fulcrum points under the hook. A variety of styles are available dependent on the application.
Lifter Beams - Structurally designed to handle the load through the beam, allowing for lower headroom.
Spreader Beams - Designed to direct the load weight to the top rigging and hooks, requires a greater amount of headroom than a lifting beam.
Coil Lifters - Lift, manipulate, and re-position coils with vertical or horizontal eye position. Come in a variety of styles and sizes, both manual and motorized, for handling a wide range of coil widths.
Roll Lifters - Lift, position, and upend a wide range of roll sizes.
Sheet Lifters - Mechanically operated lifters ideal for handling bundles, sheets, plates and other stacked material..
Pallet Lifters - A beam augmented with lower forks which are ideal for lifting and handling a variety of pallet applications.
Tong Lifters - The ability to open and close like a pair of tongs to handle such materials as rolls, tubes, bales, containers and crates.
Learn more about cady lifters here.