Rigging prowess: product roundup

All Material Handling offers the LA and MA series of lever and hand chain hoists.

Rigging gear options have expanded greatly over the last decade with technological leaps that involve new concepts, materials and equipment.

ACT rounds up a few of the latest rigging technologies on the market.

Lever and hand chain hoists

All Material Handling (AMH) offers hoists in two product ranges – its LA series of lever hoists and MA series of hand chain hoists. Made in the United States, AMH also assembles and tests these products in the U.S.

The LA hoists are available in any lift lengths, in capacities from 0.75 to 10 tons. MA hoists are available in any lift length with capacities of 0.5 to 30 tons.

A common OSHA citation is for hoists being used with missing warning labels. AHM’s lever hoists come with stainless steel name plates featuring the required ASME/OSHA warnings etched onto them. AMH also offers overload protection via a one directional slip clutch that will only slip in the lift direction. This ensures that if an incident occurs, the load can always be safely lowered.

A leading provider of lifting and material handling equipment, AMH has also created a USA Content Calculator. This tool helps clarify the domestic content of each LA and MA hoist.

AWRP snatch blocks can help to keep loads secure and prevent accidental release or slipping, improving overall safety in lifting operations.

Snatch blocks

Associated Wire Rope & Rigging carries a range of snatch blocks, with capacities ranging from two meter tons up to 150 meter tons. These blocks are designed for use with wire rope from 3/8 up to 2-1/2 inches, and larger sizes are available upon request.

Smaller sizes include the Sea Link brand (2 to 20 tons) and the larger sizes come from RopeBlock (20 tons and larger). Snatch blocks are a primary element in the tilt-wall construction industry.

Snatch blocks are versatile pulley systems used primarily in rigging and lifting applications. They allow for redirecting a rope or cable, making it easier to lift or pull loads at different angles.

By using a snatch block, you can create a more favorable lifting ratio, making it easier to lift heavy objects. Snatch blocks are commonly employed in various rigging setups, such as for cranes, hoists and winches, to manage and control load movement. They can help in applying tension to lines, such as when setting up sails on a boat or tightening rigging.

They can help to keep loads secure and prevent accidental release or slipping, improving overall safety in lifting operations.

According to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, (ASME) standards, a snatch block is defined as a type of pulley with a hinged side or cheek that allows for easy insertion and removal of a rope or cable. Snatch blocks are typically made from robust materials, such as steel or aluminum, to withstand significant loads.

They often feature a sheave (the wheel within the block) that is designed to minimize friction and wear.

ASME standards specify that snatch blocks must have clearly marked load ratings, which indicate the maximum safe working load (SWL) that they can handle. Snatch blocks must be designed and tested to meet safety factors defined by ASME, ensuring that they can operate reliably under expected loads and conditions.

Snatch blocks are used in various applications, including lifting, hauling and rigging and must be chosen based on the specific load requirements and environmental conditions.

ASME standards emphasize the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure that snatch blocks remain in safe working condition, looking for signs of wear, damage or deformation.

RUD ACP hoist rings automatically find the center point when rigging loads.

ACP hoist rings

Millwrights and specialized transport workers use the Caldwell Group RUD ACP hoist rings to automatically find the center point when rigging loads.

The Rockford, IL-based manufacturer carries a stock of these center pull hoist rings, in a broad range of sizes. For this sector, M12 to M100 and ½ to 3 inch sizes are most commonly ordered.

“ACP stands for automatic center point,” said Jay Schroeder, regional sales manager, RUD West. “The products connect the load with the lifting gear both during lifting and rotation as well as during turning and movement. The ACP is a great choice because millwrights may find the ring in a less than desirable position and could cause shock loading or a rigging failure if they proceed without one. The ACP automatically swivels to the correct load direction when a lift commences, making a sudden drop of the load impossible.”

All such lifting points have a universal bolt head with internal and external hexagon, which enables optimum handling. The bolt is captive, but still replaceable, which is useful in many applications.

Caldwell recently expanded its series of RUD ACP lifting points by introducing the new Max and Supermax ACP-Turnado models, designed to lift bigger loads with capacities up to 30 percent greater than comparable lifting points.

Wide body shackle

Kito Crosby recently launched a newly engineered wide body shackle that the company said enhances safety and performance in heavy lifting operations. The Crosby G-2160 Wide Body Shackle, with its ergonomic design, delivers industry-leading safety and efficiency and provides superior performance and versatility in demanding heavy lift applications, the company said. The new design comes in eight capacities, from 400 to 2,000 tons.

The Crosby G-2160 Wide Body Shackle delivers strength, reliability and safety.

Kito Crosby said the new G-2160 provides the widest bow on the market, allowing for higher efficiency of the sling and smaller sling size; three lifting points, including a recessed and removable center rib lifting point that reduces the risk of snags and provides balanced handling; bow-to-bow compatibility for all sizes; anti-rotation bolt head prevents unwanted turning during installation; Easy-Loc bolt securement options available for 400, 500, and 600-ton capacities; and optional Crosby Straightpoint load monitoring.

Each shackle undergoes 100 percent comprehensive production testing, including ultrasonic inspection, magnetic particle inspection, chemical analysis, mechanical material testing and visual inspection. Each shackle is proof load tested up to 2x WLL, type approved, DNV certified and is backed by Kito Crosby’s transparency, the company said.

“The Crosby G-2160 Wide Body Shackle is a game changer for those working in heavy lifting environments,” said Crosby Chief Product Officer Marc Premont. “We are excited to bring this innovative product to market and look forward to helping improve safety on job sites, while saving end users both time and investment on slings.”

Battery powered skates

Enerpac’s EMLS/EMV Series Battery-Powered Machine Skates are designed for industrial machine movers and millwrights faced with moving heavy machinery in confined spaces. They allow a single operator to safely and remotely position loads of up to 55 tons.

Enerpac’s EMV-Series battery powered load skate, 55-ton model with hydraulic lifting.

Enerpac’s battery-powered skates feature dual-drive motors and a 360-degree tilt swivel saddle for ease of maneuverability in small areas and around tight corners. Precise control is enabled with the wireless remote-control including two joysticks to advance and steer the load, and variable speed control for changing conditions.

According to Enerpac, the EMLS/EMV Series Battery-Powered Machine Skates allow moves to be completed up to four times faster than conventional methods. Fully loaded, the skates travel up to 26 feet per minute and run for up to three hours on a single charge, the potential to move loads over 3,900 feet without the need to switch the battery.

The EMLS/EMV Series are self-propelled, eliminating the need to manually push or pull the load. The onboard battery power source makes it easier to move the load when the condition of the floor isn’t perfectly smooth or level. It also has the capability to travel over inclines of up to 3 percent and across ground gaps of up to 0.55 inches. The setup process is easy, as the wireless controller automatically pairs with the machine skates immediately on start-up. Operator safety is ensured by allowing them to work at a safe distance away from the load. Single user operation means that machine movers are able to tackle more projects with fewer resources, therefore more quickly recouping their initial investment.

The Roborigger enhances precision in leveling industrial equipment, ensuring secure load transport.

Cantilever lifting beam

Safety, precision and efficiency are key priorities in crane rigging applications, and Greenfield Products’ SkyCrane cantilever lifting beam system offers new options in rigging. Greenfield said this lifting beam optimizes crane operations and streamlines the millwrighting process, enhancing both safety and productivity.

The SkyCrane cantilever lifting beam is a self-contained, battery-powered system designed for job sites where direct overhead access is limited. Its wireless remote-controlled counterweight system allows precise balance adjustments, making it an invaluable tool for millwrights when installing, levelling and aligning heavy machinery on foundations or base plates.

Load orientation device

Also from Greenfield Products, the Roborigger is an automated load orientation device that leverages gyroscopic technology to remotely rotate and position suspended loads.

By eliminating tag lines and reducing the need for personnel near the load, Roborigger enhances safety and efficiency in rigging for crane operations. It is particularly effective in high-wind conditions, where traditional methods struggle to maintain control. Additionally, its IoT capabilities provide real-time lift data, optimizing workflow and reducing downtime.

Invented by Jim Mazzella Sr., the 7-Part wire rope offers riggers an ultra-flexible, fatigue-resistant and ergonomic sling for overhead lifting.

7-Part wire rope sling

Riggers can’t afford to fight bent, kinked and unruly wire rope slings on a job site. While wire rope is still the standard for overhead lifting, some riggers will want to choose one of Mazzella’s hallmark products: the Mazzella 7-Part wire rope sling.

Unlike traditional single-part wire rope slings, which are formed from multiple steel wires wrapped around a fiber or steel core, 7-Part wire rope slings are constructed from one continuous piece of wire rope – creating an ultra-flexible and ergonomic sling for the end-user. They are extremely flexible, more resistant to fatigue and will maintain their shape when bent and wrapped around a load.

Mazzella’s 7-part slings are constructed with a mechanical splice that provides added strength compared to a hand splice. They can also be made in equal capacities to any single-part wire rope sling – with vertical hitch capacities ranging anywhere from 1.2 tons to over 400 tons.

Plus, with a 7-part wire rope sling, you won’t have to worry about kinking or doglegs, which can be criteria for removal from service. And just like a single part sling, 7-Part slings can be made to any diameter or length, used in single-leg or multi-leg assemblies and used in vertical, choker and basket hitches.

With origins in the logging industry, OTH wireless quick release hooks are designed for harsh environments, ensuring durability.

Wireless quick-release hooks

Three years ago, this technology was virtually unknown. Today, over 300 companies across the U.S. rely on it to make lifting operations safer and faster. The standout feature? No more manual unhooking. Traditionally, workers had to approach every load to detach slings, often in hazardous situations.

Today, OTH Quick Release Hooks allow crews to release loads remotely in under two seconds, eliminating unnecessary risks and idle time. These remote-controlled hooks feature a fail-safe, OSHA-compliant mechanism that keeps them locked under load, the company said.

OTH’s hooks are rechargeable, and in a single charge, crews can perform over 500 lifts in a week without interruption.

Available in two versions (4,400 pounds and 11,600 pounds), these self-release hooks adapt to various needs, including a choker lift for steel columns and trusses, or synchronized setups handling loads up to 400,000 pounds.

With origins in the rugged logging industry, they are designed for harsh environments, ensuring durability that lasts over a decade. The wireless remote, with a 200-foot range and color codes, allows for the release of the hooks individually, by color group or all at once – optimizing workflow and reducing downtime.

Load navigator

The Vita Load Navigator (VLN) offers a load handling system that enhances the safety, efficiency and precision of lifting operations. By connecting below the hook of various crane types, the VLN allows workers to maneuver loads with unparalleled accuracy, safety and speed even in challenging environmental conditions like wind.

The VLN turns unpredictable challenges into controllable loads.

One of the most notable benefits of the VLN is its ability to eliminate the risks associated when relying solely on taglines. The system collects over 1,000 data points per second, enabling real-time adjustments to maintain load stability, complete control and prevent load spinning or rotation. With this innovative technology, workers can control the load wirelessly from a safe distance, ensuring jobsite safety, the company said.