Electric Chain Hoists with Radio Control

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ImageStandardly an Electric Chain Hoist is operated by a hard-wired low voltage pendant control, but like with all things, there are levels and one of the optional extras is “Radio Control”.

Radio control is principally like operating your TV except for your TV operates over Inferred and an Electric Chain Hoist with Radio Control operated over radio frequency; a stronger and most reliable signal that can be operated from a further distance.

Radio control enables the operator to stand at a safe distance from the load when operating the hoist also giving them a better view and angle of the load when hoisting in to place or loading/unloading a truck or delivery. Radio remote control is often required as standard in applications like gas and nuclear where being close to the load is considered a danger there for it is essential to have radio control with all electric chain hoists. http://electricchainhoists.co.uk/

Guest Bloggers Welcome!

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We are always looking to bring the reader the latest on Lifting and Material Handling Equipment, we are now seeking new Guest Bloggers looking to post relevant and exciting articles benefiting the end user and buyer of Lifting & Material Handling Equipment.

This can include ‘How to Do’s’, User Guides, Tips & Tricks, Safety Advice, Product Offers and pretty much anything else you can think of, if you are a serious blogger I will not have to detail the benefits that this can bring both parties in terms of linking and growing a presence online.

If you are interested in featuring your content as a guest blog on Lifting Equipment Blog then please contact myself by leaving a comment or using the contact forms on this website.

Using Shackles To connect Components

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Lifting Shackles are designed for connecting and securing components together for use in a lifting, pulling or tensioning application. Each shackle is rated to a particular safe working load (maximum capacity) this should never be exceeded.

To connect a component using a lifting shackle firstly you will need to open the jaws of the shackle by removing the screw collar pin, the screw collar pin may also in some cases be protected by a safety pin and safety bolt, most of the time it is a simple case of turning the screw collar pin anti clockwise and it is released. Should this not be the case then remove the safety clip, unscrew the safety nut then remove the screw collar pin.

The second stage is to connect the components together and secure them by replacing the screw collar pin and if applicable; safety nut and clip. A Lifting Shackle is supposed to be used in a straight pull however they are rated to be used up to 90 degrees however one should be aware that when side pulling with a Lifting Shackle the safe working load is reduced by 50%. The screw collar pin should also never be mounted in a way that it could be unscrewed unintentionally.

It usually goes without saying but one should also never use a damaged or worn shackle as this could risk a serious injury and always use fully certified CE Lifting Shackles.

Toe Jacks For Low Entry Lifting

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Lifting industrial objects up to 10 Tonnes is always going to be far too much for any human to lift without the aid of a Lifting Jacks of some kind, unless the person concerned is a ‘Super Human’ like that guy on TV who can swim under the sea for an abnormal extended period of time.

Lifting Jacks are idea for lifting heavy machinery or other bulky objects that are beyond our strength, some items may have a particularly low entry point where the gap for a Lifting Jack is minimal, maybe only a few centimetres, this job calls for a Lifting Jack designed particularly for low entry; the Toe Jack.

Industrial Toe Jack

Industrial Toe Jack

The Toe Jack is operated in a very similar way as the bottle jack and many other designs, the toe is placed under the load, the jack is then raised by pumping hydraulic pressure in to the Jack’s cylinder, which just like a Bottle Jack, raises the toe and lifts the load. The Toe Jack can then be lowered safely by turning the pump handle which gently releases the pressure in the Toe Jack and lowers the load into place.

Toe Jacks are usually used in combination with Machine Skates or Pallet Trucks to lift and shift bulky, heavy items.

Lifting Equipment Inspection

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Inspection of any load rated Lifting Equipment is vital and should be undertaken between every 3-12 months depending upon the intensity of usage. Failure to inspect and certify lifting gear regularly by a qualified LOLER inspection body can result in your company not being covered by insurance in the event that the item involved was neglected from an inspection.

Should the unspeakable happen, the company involved may be sued or fined heavily, this can also negatively impact on the persons involved in organising the inspections and maintenance.

Inspection is very important as a qualified engineer that has competent inspection skills will easily identify any abnormalities very quickly and efficiently while understanding the implications that the abnormality can cause. Much like a doctor for lifting gear the inspector can assess the required issue and recommend the steps to take in order to correct the problem, this may be just a minor replacement part such as a safety catch or something more complex that would require the company the scrap the item and replace it if the cost of repair is close to or outweighs a new item. Intense usage demands reliable products and requires more frequent inspection and replacement of spare parts or a total new item.

Engine Cranes- How Do They Work?

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Most commonly used in the automotive industry Engine Cranes were designed to lift, transport and lower engines with a hydraulic boom while being supported by a set of sturdy legs that feature wheels fitted for ease of transport once the engine had been removed from the bay.

Firstly the engine should be freed from any securing bolts and screws, then it should be rigged up using an engine sling, the crane can then be brought in with the stand wheeled under the load (under the car) the crane boom can be lowered using the handle that operates the hydraulic ram.

Once lowered the chain sling should be connected to the crane hook, the engine can now be raised using the handle that operates the hydraulic ram, pumping the handle raises the load, once clear of the engine bay the load can be transported and worked on.

For safety reasons the crane boom can only operate in an vertical operation, this is why the sturdy legs are positioned under the load to prevent the Engine Crane from tipping over when lifting or transporting.

Lifting Shackles Types And Varieties

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Lifting shackles are designed to provide a closed connection of two components for lifting, pulling and loads as well as connecting components together in rigs. This is usually up to 1,200 Tonnes.

Shackles are manufactured in several different types and sizes, here are a few examples:

Dee Shackles- a ‘D’ shaped shackle featured a slim design with smooth bow and can be purchased with or without a safety locking nut to secure the screw pin in place to prevent tampering or any accidental movement. Options include extended long Dee Shackles as well as many sizes and capacities.

Stainless Steel Dee Shackle

Stainless Steel Dee Shackle

Bow Shackles- the same principle featuring a wider bow to provide extra flexibility with increased surface area on accessories such as slings. Also available in an array of different sizes.

Stainless Steel Bow Shackle

Stainless Steel Bow Shackle

Budget Economy Shackles- these are still manufactured to the correct safety standards as well as being certified to the working load limit as purchased. Economy shackles are cost effective and ideal for non aggressive use.

Premium Brand Shackles such as Green Pin lifting shackles are manufactured from the best quality materials and feature the signature green screw pin. Ideal for more intense work and long term use such as the hire industry.

Stainless Steel Shackles are perfectly suited to outdoor applications where the environment is particularly corrosive such as offshore where sea salt quickly corrodes unprotected material.

There are so many types of Lifting Shackle on today’s market to suit nearly every shackling requirement that could engrave planet earth! There are even Lifting Shackles designed for the theatre industry, coated in a black finish to prevent reflection of light in order to remain subtle.

Pallet Trucks- Making Life Easier

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Hand operated or electric Pallet Trucks are perfect affordable handling solutions designed to make life easier by enabling you to lift and shift palletised loads up to 5 Tonnes.

Hand Pallet Trucks are operated by a steering lever that incorporates a release handle, the lever if pumped raises the truck forks in order to lift the load, pulling on the release handle slowly lowers the load. The truck is designed to be driven under a pallet and operated as above, the pallet can easily be pushed or pulled by hand once raised off the ground.

Manual trucks are ideal for transporting pallets around warehouses and for unloading loads from lorries with tail lifts. Before the new 2013 anti-dumping laws that raised taxes on Pallet Trucks up to almost 50% this type of truck could be considered disposable starting at prices little over £100 online, sadly this is no longer the case.

Electric Motorised Pallet Trucks are operated with ease featuring electrically assisted travel and steering operated from a handle similar to a hand pallet truck. These are often used to transport heavier loads or used when operation is intense so it becomes important to make things easier for workers as this often makes them more productive in the warehouse. Electric models are battery operated with a long battery life, most people use the trucks in the day and charge them overnight.

When used outside in the British summer (and obviously winter) pallet trucks can start to rust, for that there are a variety of corrosion resistant galvanised pallet trucks and for the food industry; Stainless Steel models are available as food can often be heavy to transport in bulk, supermarkets often used pallet trucks to unload pallets of meat and vegetables to save time and make life easier! A small addition goes a long way.

 

How Does It Work- Lifting Magnets

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Permanent Lifting magnets are perfect ideal items of lifting gear that make lifting magnetic objects such as steel, easy.

An Eclipse Magnetics Ultra Lift Plus Lifting Magnet works with four safety features, the safety catch, the lifting eye, hand brake release and a ‘safety shim’.

The safety catch locks the handle in the ‘on’ position to ensure that the load remains secure once activated.

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The Lifting Eye is an additional safety catch, once tension is applied the mechanism locks the handle to prevent is from flicking backward and dropping the load. A hand brake release button is used to release the load, it can only be used when the magnet is not in operation due to the lifting eye and safety catch. This can easily be operated with one hand.

Lifting Magnets are a perfect alternative to big bulky chains and slings, no need to rig up your load, simply drop, load and go!

Firstly the load should be Pre-tested, this involves placing the safety shim on the load and lowering the lifting magnet in to place. The magnet is then switched on by rotating the handles 120 degrees anti clockwise.

To ensure the load is fully locked in place the user should check the handle is in position correctly and then lift the load a little just to check, if the load is secure with the safety shim in place a 3:1 safety factor is guaranteed by Eclipse!

To switch the magnet off the load must be returned to the floor, the safety catch and lifting eye prevent unintentional unloading of the magnet. The handbrake must be removed by clicking the top button on the handle (much like a car handbrake but you have to hold the button down) the user then has to push the handle back to release the load and let go of the button.

To now perform a lift using the lifting magnet the user should repeat the process without the use of a safety shim.

It’s Been A While….

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Well, it’s been a while!

Truthfully I have been busy, I have been away abroad also! But I am back and will continue to educate the reader and discuss the latest in Lifting Gear.

Anyway…..Want to save yourself a little on that dreaded carriage? Hit www.LiftingEquipmentStore.com and get FREE SHIPPING over £300! What more could you want? Enjoy it now though because when the rain comes back and we start to feel a little bit cold, its gone! (haha, we’re not that evil really, but it is going, so hurry!)