Material Handling Equipment

Lift-It® Manufacturing offers the largest range of standard products available to satisfy many different lifting applications. In addition to our standard line is the ability to create a custom designed solution to meet your lifting challenges.
We are proud to distribute products designed and manufactured by The Caldwell Group. They have been manufacturing engineered Material Handling Equipment for over 55 years. The goal is to design and manufacture high quality, long lasting lifting products that will safely increase productivity and reduce operating cost.

BENEFITS OF MATERIAL HANDLING EQUIPMENT

• Increased productivity.
• Reliability.
• Increased safety from an engineered product that is compliant to applicable regulations and standards.
• Durability for long lasting service.
• Registered metal tags with unique serial numbers for traceability.
• Rated capacities and safety warnings.

INDUSTRY STANDARDS

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has developed standards that apply specifically to the Material Handling Equipment we supply. ASME B30.20 provides detailed information on the classifications, marking, construction, installation, inspection, testing, maintenance and operation of Below the Hook (BTH) Lifting Devices.
ASME BTH-1 provides detailed information on the design criteria of Below the Hook Lifting Devices.
ASME B30.9 provides detailed information on the fabrication, markings, usage, inspection and maintenance of lifting slings. These standards serve as a guide to government authorities, manufacturers, purchasers and users of lifting devices.

PROOF TESTING AND CERTIFICATION

Please specify if new material handling devices are to be proof tested and certified. There is a nominal charge for this service.

Experienced engineers and technicians provide first-class service to keep your equipment running at peak performance. From training and maintenance, consultations to inspections, modernizations and repairs, we are committed to helping you prolong the life of your lifting equipment and accessories. We will save you time and money, improve safety and productivity and reduce downtime. Our team utilizes the latest technologies and adheres to all American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) standards, keeping you and your equipment safe.

TRAINING & MAINTENANCE CONSULTATIONS
A Service Team member works with your operators to ensure proper use of equipment and can create a customized maintenance plan around key considerations and trouble spots to keep your equipment running at peak performance.
Our custom maintenance programs minimize costly downtime, increase safety and dramatically extend the life of your lifting equipment, protecting your investment. Maintenance is extremely important because identifying small repair issues early can prevent major damage and failure later in the life of your equipment.

INSPECTIONS
Once the Service Team has completed an inspection, we will provide a complete report describing the extent of damages and repairs required, including a firm quote, for your review before any repairs are made to the equipment. An experienced technician can be sent to your location to inspect equipment through operational tests and visual examination. Minor repairs, once identified and approved, often can be performed on-site to help minimize downtime.

REPAIRS
Once major repairs are complete, the equipment is tested; repainted and new capacity and safety labels are applied. Our commitment to quality and service holds true for our repairs, as each piece of equipment repaired by our team carries with it the same new product warranty that accompanies all of our products.

MODERNIZATIONS
Our team uses the latest design technologies to determine if your equipment can be: upgraded, modified or refurbished to help you tackle bigger loads, severe duty cycles, extreme weather, correct recurring issues and improve performance. After modernization, equipment is tested, repainted, labeled and covered by the same new product warranty that accompanies all of our products.

DESIGN OF BELOW-THE-HOOK LIFTING DEVICES (BTH-1)
ASME BTH-1 designates design criteria for Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices (ASME B30.20) and serves as a guide to designers, manufacturers, purchasers and users of these types of Material Handling Devices.

All Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices shall be designed for specific rated loads and load stresses as they affect the components of the lifting device.

A design category and service class shall be designated and marked on lifters and all quotations, drawings and other documents relating to the Material Handling Device.

Design Category B should be designated when conditions of the lift are not always defined or predictable or when load conditions could be severe. Design factors for Design Category B Lifting Devices shall not be less than 3 for limit states of yielding or buckling.

Service class is the specified fatigue life of the lifter.

• Service Class 0: 0 to 20,000 load cycles
• Service Class 1: 20,001 to 100,000 load cycles
• Service Class 2: 100,001 to 500,000 load cycles
• Service Class 3: 500,001 to 2,000,000 load cycles
• Service Class 4: Over 2,000,000 load cycles

STRUCTURAL AND MECHANICAL LIFTING DEVICES (B30.20)

DESIGN FACTORS
Structural and mechanical lifting devices shall be designed according to ASME BTH-1, Design Category B, taking into consideration the load, including the weight of the Lifting Device. The design service class is determined by the expected fatigue life of a lifter based on the number of load cycles.

FABRICATION

• All welding shall comply with ANSI/AWS D14.1 and ASME BTH-1.
• Guards should be provided for exposed moving parts.
• Electrical equipment and wiring shall comply with ANSI/NFPA 70 and ASME BTH-1.
• Contact us for information on modifications or repairs to maintain compliance with ASME standards.

MARKING

• The rated capacity shall be marked on the Lifting Device.
• Lifting Devices shall be marked with the following information:
      Manufacturer’s name and address
      Serial number
      Lifter weight, if over 100 lbs. (45 kg)
      Cold current (amps), when applicable
      Rated voltage (when applicable)
      Rated load
      ASME BTH-1 Design Category
      ASME BTH-1 Service Class
• Product Safety Labels.
      When possible, all Lifting Devices shall have labels that include the appropriate signal word, according to ANSI Z535.4
      including the proper cautionary notice to operators warning against improper use. When it is not possible to include the
      above, a label shall be affixed, referring users to the manufacturer’s instruction manual for product safety     information.

LOAD TEST
Before use, a new, altered, modified or repaired Lifting Device should be load tested and inspected. Contact the manufacturer for information regarding the appropriate test load for the Lifting Device.

Please Note: Definitions: Should = a recommended procedure. Shall = a required procedure.

Material Handling Devices purchased from Lift-It® Manufacturing have been designed for specific tasks and to withstand particular forces imposed. Product specific information will be sent with each product. Guidelines for installation, inspection, maintenance and repair, safe operation and operator training follows:

INSTALLATION

Lifting equipment shall be assembled and installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, unless other specific arrangements have been approved in writing by manufacturer. When lifter/auxiliary power supply is required, user inspection shall ensure that the power source complies with ANSI/NFPA 70, National Electrical Code and shall include a power disconnect switch as required by ANSI/NFPA 70, based on the equipment requirements. If electrical connections are made, the power supply and corresponding power disconnects shall be connected to the line side (power supply side) of the crane disconnect or to an independent circuit as specified in the manufacturer’s operating instructions.

Check for correct rotation of all pumps and power units, lubrication of moving parts and filling of reservoirs, all in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

OPERATOR TRAINING

Material Handling Devices shall be operated in accordance with manufacturer’s instruction manual and by personnel who have received instructions described in the “Operating Practices” section of these guidelines. Training shall also include instruction regarding:

1. Details of the lifting cycle.
2. Application of the lifter to the load including (according to the manufacturer’s instructions) adjustments to the lifter, if any, to adapt it to various sizes and types of loads.
3. Instruction in any special operations or precautions that may be required.
4. Recognition of proper load configuration, i.e., preferred operation requires an orderly pattern of stacking.
5. Before assuming responsibility for using lifters, an
   operator shall demonstrate an understanding of the lifting procedure to the instructor. The instructor should record notes of the operator’s demonstrated ability.

INSPECTION

Material Handling Devices shall be visually inspected by or under the direction of a qualified person on a daily or weekly schedule depending on the lifter type and severity of the service cycle.

Details to look for include, but are not limited to:

1. Structural deformation.
2. Cracks in the structural frame, welds or hoist hook
   attachment points.
3. Malfunctions during operation of mechanically operating lifters.
4. Loose covers, fasteners and stops.
5. Faulty operation of automatic hold and release mechanisms.
6. Wear of hoist hooking points, load supporting clevises,
   pins, slings, linkages and mechanical parts.
7. Missing nameplates and markings. Contact us for replacements.

MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS

1. A preventive maintenance program should be established for each Material Handling Device by a qualified person based on manufacturer recommendations.
2. A qualified person shall have responsibility for repairs.
   Dated records and details of repairs and parts replacement should be carefully maintained by a qualified person.
3. Replacement parts shall be at least equivalent to the
   original manufacturer’s specifications.
4. Keep products clean of dirt and debris to ensure proper
   and safe operation.
5. Oil pins and moving parts as required.

OPERATING PRACTICES

ACCEPTABLE

1. The operator shall receive, read and understand the
   manufacturer’s instruction manual.
2. The operator shall watch carefully that the device is
   performing properly during the lifting procedure.
3. The operator shall know standard crane hand signals.
4. The operator shall only respond to signals from an appointed person. However, stop signals from anyone shall be obeyed.
5. The operator shall notify a designated person when he
   considers a load to be unsafe.
6. The operator shall inspect devices before using. Defects
   shall be examined by a qualified person to determine if it
   is hazardous.

NOT ACCEPTABLE

1. 1. The operator shall not operate a malfunctioning lifter or one tagged, “OUT OF SERVICE”.
2. The operator shall not use the Material Handling Device
   for any purpose(s) other than those designated by the
   manufacturer’s instruction manual.
3. The operator shall not use a Material Handling Device when capacity, weight or product safety labels are missing or are no longer legible.
4. No one shall make alterations or modifications to devices without consulting the manufacturer.
5. No one shall obscure or paint over manufacturer’s capacity, weight or product safety labels.
6. Loads shall not be lifted higher than necessary nor be left suspended and unattended.
7. Material Handling Devices shall not lift loads that are not
   properly balanced for safe lifting.

HANDLING THE LOAD

1. Material Handling Devices shall not be loaded in excess of rated capacity.
2. The combined weight of the device and load shall not
   exceed the rated capacity of the crane or hoist.
3. The Material Handling Device shall be applied to the
   load in accordance with the manufacturer’s
   recommended operating procedure.
4. Ropes and chains used with Material Handling Devices
   shall not be kinked and multiple part lines shall not be
   twisted about each other.
5. The Material Handling Device shall not touch obstructions during load movement.
6. The device shall not be loaded with loose material that
   might fall during movement.
7. The operator or other personnel shall not place themselves or any part of their bodies beneath suspended loads.
8. Material Handling Devices shall not be used to handle
   loads for which they are not designed.
9. Loads while engaged by Material Handling Devices
   shall not be slid on the floor or other surfaces
10. If suspended loads are moved manually, they shall be
    pushed, not pulled.
11. A preliminary lift of a few inches shall be made to
    establish load stability.
12. All loads shall be accelerated and decelerated smoothly
    and slowly.

Modifications or repairs performed on Material Handling Devices without prior written approval voids warranty. Refer to ASME standards for information regarding the liability for repaired or modified lifters.