Sometimes, elbow grease and lifting from your legs just isn’t enough. For the heavier jobs, you are going to need some mechanical help. Luckily, Charles Wilson Engineers Ltd have broken down their extensive catalogue of lifting equipment to help you pick and choose the right tools for the job.
There are hundreds of different jobs which require lifting equipment, but these tools do not fall into a ‘one size fits all’ policy. If you need to move a couple of pallets back and forth, then a simple pallet truck will do the job. However, if you are lifting cinder blocks and large pieces of metal, then you are going to need chain blocks, lever hoists, or block grabs. Identifying what you need is half the battle.
Heavy lifting equipment
For shifting large crates off the back of a tipper lorry, block grabs are essential. Depending on which one you use, they can lift up to 1800 kilogrammes easily and saves hours of manually moving bricks. This will also reduce the waste on any site too, so the benefits are blindingly obvious. A Jersey block grab can be used to lift walls and thinner surfaces without leaving any marks, so assess the width of what you need to lift before you hire any equipment.
Levers and hoists are the real muscle behind the operations. With a lifting weight of 5 tonnes, these attach to the grabs and lift easily and steadily. Chain levers are better suited to the outdoors for use on construction sites and lifting for greater distance. Hoists are typically used indoors in confined spaces, but this does not restrict how much they can lift.
Be aware of the safety procedures for both of these pieces of lifting equipment. For chain blocks and hoists, make sure all the safety catches are closed and lift directly from below to ensure a steady lift. Take your time on the way up and always err on the side of caution.
Lighter lifting gear
We’ve already discussed pallet trucks, which can be used to shift crates of bricks and other objects quickly and efficiently. For a more manoeuvrable alternative, consider the rough terrain pallet truck with three axles; it is easier to control and is smaller in comparison to the traditional pallet truck, as well as being ready-made for building sites with a more difficult terrain.
For lifting heavy objects but at a smaller height, a floor crane is ideal. You may recognise these from car garages, as they are most commonly used for removing car engines, but this piece of lifting gear won’t be out of place on a construction site. Hydraulically powered, these cranes can lift a great deal of weight and get seemingly tricky objects out of the way without breaking a sweat.
If there a number of odd jobs that need doing, take a look at our vacuum slab lifters, manhole cover lifters and all our other pieces of lifting equipment.
Safety Lifting Gear
Knowing what piece of lifting equipment you need is important, but knowing how to use it is even more important. Last year, there was an estimated 122,000 cases of employees being injured while lifting various objects, so care must be taken at all times.
Following these three golden rules at all times will go a long way in preventing any lifting related injury:
1. Assess the scene
Before you start lifting, make sure there are no obstacles in your way, such as overhanging trees, power lines and buildings. Try not to lift over other objects too, such as fences and gates, you want to be able to have an uninterrupted route when lifting.
2. Protect yourself
There is a lot of room for error when lifting heavy objects, so take as much care as you can. Don’t stand directly under the object when it is in the air, and be thorough when carrying out safety checks. Don’t leave anything to chance, and wear protective clothing such as steel toe capped boots, safety helmet and protective glasses, too.
3. Don’t be a hero
If the conditions are difficult then accept defeat and don’t push ahead and find a way. Your health and safety has to be the priority, so don’t put yourself in danger just to get the job done.
To enquire about hiring any piece of lifting equipment from our website, contact Charles Wilson Engineers Ltd through our digital messaging service, or call us on 01582 763 122.
