Types of Lifting Equipment Commonly Used

The term lifting equipment addresses a variety of apparatus that are utilized for lifting, lowering and moving heavy or awkward loads, there are numerous further expressions used for these devices and they include material/manual handling, lifting gear and lifting tackle.

All types of lifting gear are used either for safety reasons to guard personnel against injuries whilst lifting weighty objects or for the reason that the item is simply way too heavy for a person or persons to pick up without help. All types of lifting gear needs to be regularly inspected and tested by a professional person to ensure the safety of the device.

Next we look at the basics of small and large lifting equipment. 

Shackles are made from robust steel and take the form of a U shape; used as a type of connecting gadget connecting 2 items, a shackle will contain a bolt or pin to supply its locking device and so ensuring a safe hold.

An eyebolt is a screw which has a loop on the end as opposed to a screwdriver slot, they can be screwed into many surfaces to provide a securely fixed anchoring point to which additional items could be attached too.

A ratchet lashing is a long webbing strap with a special fixing mechanism, generally a cam buckle, in order that loads can be secured tightly to a surface, they are frequently used on lorries intended for securing their loads.

Slings are used in various different ways and are available in many types but principally all of them  wrap around the object to be lifted and then attached to a hoisting device for lifting. Slings are commonly created from robust webbing materials, chain or wire rope, and are all used for different purposes. Chain slings most likely offer the most diversity as they can be utilized in various hitch types using 1,2,3 or 4 chain legs to suit a huge choice of objects which need to be lifted.

A pallet truck enables easy transfer of cumbersome objects, commonly used in warehouses and factories. They differ in size however will all have wheels on the flat base and an extended handle at one end for steering, pallets and boxes are mostly transported this way.

Sheet materials such as steel sheeting are lifted by means of either a plate clamp, utilised in pairs (often more) and clamp the fringe of the plate in its jaws, these can mark the steel, this is where lifting magnets come in, these usually do not scratch the steel plate as they use a magnetic force to lift, however they'll only work with ferro-magnetic materials, and precise lifting conditions will apply for a secure lift.

Beam clamps and trolleys are tools that  attach onto the lip of a beam on a mobile or jib crane for instance. A beam clamp stays in a fixed position where as a trolley can be manually moved across the beam, or via of a remote control if it is a powered trolley. These devices offer a secure fixing point to enable other products to be attached for lifting, for instance a hoist.

Now we move on to bigger types of lifting gear.

Ratchet lever hoists are manually driven devices, fitted to the load, the lever is raised then lowered and the chain moves across a ratchet system to raise and lower the load, they may be additionally used for tensioning and securing loads. Chain blocks or manual chain hoists are also a popular way of manually lifting loads and works by pulling on 1 chain to lift the load and the other side of the chain to lower the load.

Electric hoists are extremely popular as they supply an easy means of lifting heavy loads, many different types can be found, suitable for various purposes and lifting capacities. Most electric hoists use chain to lift though wire rope hoists are also available. An additional powered hoist is the pneumatic air hoist functioning from an air supply and ideal where electric isn't available or not suitable.

A mobile lifting gantry, is a non permanent type of crane which can be repositioned easily on its castors, many varieties of lifting devices could be attached to its cross beam, i.e. a beam clamp and electric hoist. Usually made to fit your own requirements regarding size and safe working loads. Utilised across countless industries from small car garages to very large factories.

A Jib Crane is a semi permanent piece of equipment which is very popular in both large and small industries. The jib cranes arm may be swung or slewed about its vertical fixed column,  up to 360 degrees depending on the type chosen.

Overhead cranes are one of the biggest types of lifting gear, seen in the roof space of large factories. A permanent piece of equipment which lifts loads and can manoeuvre them across its track using electrical remote controls.

Finally we are able to conclude that there are many varieties of lifting gear products, all of which assist in the lifting, lowering and moving heavy, large or awkward loads. They all help in providing extra safety to the workforce and if serviced regularly as required will work hard, last long and be a good investment.