When there is a need to safely handle heavy loads, choosing the right lifting equipment is key to ensuring safety and productivity.
Depending on the industry and overall lifting requirements, there is a varied range of lifting devices to consider.
While it’s important to consult any relevant health and safety regulations which apply in your particular case, it can also be useful to explore the available options.
At Metreel, we supply a variety of lifting equipment including cranes, hoists, gantries and monorails to businesses across the UK.
In today’s post, we will cover some of the most popular types of tools and equipment that are capable of lifting, lowering and repositioning heavy loads.
The Different Types Of Lifting Equipment
Cranes: The most powerful, not to mention versatile lifting equipment to exist is a crane. Used in a variety of industries, cranes benefit from being available in various types allowing users to benefit from the lifting capabilities needed depending on the application. Examples of cranes include bridge cranes, mobile cranes, overhead cranes, portable cranes and tower cranes.
Forklifts: When there is a need to transport materials or goods over short distances, including within a warehousing or storage facility, then a forklift is an ideal asset. As forklifts are moving vehicles, they can pose more safety hazards. Driver training and adaptations to the facility are required to reduce the risk of injury.
Hoists: Spanning electric, manual or pneumatic variations, hoists can lift and lower loads with chains or wire ropes. The ability to choose between the type of hoist allows for flexibility based on the environment of the application, including options for hazardous or off-shore settings.
Jacks: Jacks are portable lifting devices and include air jacks, bottle jacks, trolley jacks, transmission jacks and scissor jacks. These mechanical devices are used to apply force to lift heavy loads.
Slings: Lifting slings are used in conjunction with a crane or hoist for the purposes of securing a load. The most common types of slings include chain slings, synthetic slings and wire rope slings. Each lifting sling has different properties and overall lifting capabilities. The user can select the sling based on the operational conditions such as extreme temperatures or delicate loads.
Winches: Winches leverage cable tension to be able to wind up or out a rope or cable. The most notable feature of winches is their extreme durability, which often makes them the lifting accessory of choice for muddy or wet environments. Likewise, winches are often used to lift in scenarios involving a steep incline.
How To Assess Your Lifting Requirements
The core focus of choosing a lifting device is understanding the maximum weight you will need to lift. Commonly, this is known as safe working load (SWL). However, modern terminology now includes working load limit (WLL), normal working load (NWL), minimum breaking strength (MBS) and maximum rated capacity (MRC).
With an idea of the types of weights you need to lift, the next consideration is how you intend to lift the load. For instance, cranes lift and reposition loads in a fixed area, whereas a forklift can transport loads across a facility.
The lifting environment will also dictate the lifting equipment that will be suitable based on aspects such as weather conditions, temperatures and industrial factors. Closely related is available space based on where the lifting appliance will be housed.
Finally, the frequency of use should also be factored into the decision. If the lifting requirements are heavy or continuous, then the appliance and accessories need to be able to withstand extreme demands.
To determine all of the above and anything else which may apply, it’s essential to consult all relevant health and safety guidance.
Increase Lifting Capabilities For Your Industrial Operations With Lifting Solutions From Metreel
Do you work on behalf of a business involved in the movement of heavy goods?
If so, then Metreel can improve safety, efficiency and productivity through our vast range of material handling solutions.
Discover our industrial lifting equipment on our website to learn more about our product specifications.
Or, to speak to our experts about your lifting requirements please give us a call on 0115 932 7010 or fill out our contact form and we’ll be right with you.