Material Baskets

Material lifting baskets & Material Lift Baskets with door 11827, 11829, 16006, 12902 & 17594 are manufactured to exceed ASME B30.20 and OSHA regulations.

Material baskets are an excellent choice for safe and efficient handling and movement of lose tools, parts that would otherwise require cumbersome rigging techniques to control the load. Lift, move, roll the part into the basket, connect the lifting bridle and away you go.

Lift-It material baskets are manufactured in the USA and meet stringent industry ASME B30.20 standards as well as OSHA regulations.

All baskets are painted safety yellow for resistance to corrosion. Custom material baskets are also available, you dream it, we build it.

Mesh side walls, fold down side panels for ease of leading to name a few of the options. All load baskets feature fork tines for easy movement around construction site and within facilities.

Material Lifting Basket Buyer's Guide

Designed to safely move tools, supplies, and equipment on jobsites, material lifting baskets are heavy-duty steel transport containers used with cranes, hoists, and aircraft. They're only suitable for carrying materials, not people, and a lift basket must meet or exceed the ASME B30.20 safety standard.

Lift-It Manufacturing has partnered with M&W (Machining and Welding) to offer material baskets that meet the highest standards. With Lift-It's 40-plus years of rigging experience and M&W's careful manufacturing, crews all over the USA trust our baskets.

What Makes a Quality Material Basket?

How your lift basket is manufactured makes all the difference to both quality and safety. Here are the main things to look out for when selecting your basket or container:

Solid Steel Construction:  Choose baskets that are manufactured using heavy-gauge steel throughout, rather than thin sheet metal. Also the frame should be fully welded and not just bolted together. If you work in a corrosive environment, stainless steel grades such as 316 will last longer than painted carbon steel.

Safety Features:  Safety yellow paint means better visibility and corrosion resistance. Sides should be either a strong mesh or solid with no gaps to help to contain loose items with evenly positioned lifting eyelets to help to keep loads balanced when lifting.

Access Options: Fixed-side baskets are ideal for loading and transporting routine cargo, but consider a drop-sided model if you're going to be loading bulky items. For full loading access, look for baskets with hinged gates that swing completely open, or side panels that can be removed entirely.

Ground Handling: Look out for standard sized fork pockets, the reinforced slots underneath for moving loads with a forklift. If you specify casters for easier handling when on the ground, check that these are heavy-duty rated to handle the full load.

What are the Different Types of Material Lifting Baskets?

There are two main types to consider when choosing a new lift container:

Standard Fixed-Side Baskets

Perfect for handling routine lifts, a standard basket with fixed sides will keep tools and loose materials securely in place when loaded properly. If you're looking for an affordable option for everyday use, these represent the best value.

Drop-Side Material Baskets

Need to regularly load heavy or bulky items? A drop sided basket is the answer as you can simply roll equipment in with a pallet jack or dolly instead of having to lift it over a fixed side. Some containers can be specified with removable sides, a godsend when unloading in tight spaces.

Specialized Configurations

For non-standard uses, you can often find job specific baskets :

Fly Basket: Featuring lightweight construction and secure attachment points, flyable baskets are designed for aerial transport over uneven terrain using helicopters or long-reach cranes.

Helicopter Tool Basket: As the name implies, these are durable baskets designed for quick Connection to the helicopter by way of a multi-leg wire rope or webbing bridle, featuring quick release hooks or shackles, and lightweight construction.

Jobsite Lift Box: Also known as jobsite lift crates, these are similar to standard material baskets but are typically heavy duty lifting containers for use in challenging construction environments.

Load-Rated Crane Basket: A term used for any lift basket that has been certified for crane use with documented capacity testing. The load rating will determine the safe working load limit.

Material Lifting Container: A broad term or category that includes custom-built containers for specific industries and applications.

M&W Material Baskets: American-Made Quality

M&W (Machining and Welding) is recognized in the industry as a leading Midwest manufacturer of premium quality lifting equipment.  Proven to last longer and perform better than cheaper alternatives, we are excited to offer their material basket product line as part of our catalog.

Current M&W Models Available Through Lift-It

Fixed-Side Options:

• Model 11827 (36" x 36" x 24"): A compact size for smaller loads, perfect for tool transport
• Model 11829 (48" x 48" x 24"): This mid-size option balances capacity with maneuverability
• Model 16006 (60" x 48" x 24"): The largest standard size for bulky materials

Drop-Side Models:

• Model 17594 (36" x 36" x 28"): Features a small drop-side with convenient loading access
• Model 12902 (48" x 48" x 28"): Equipped with a full-size drop-side for maximum flexibility

All M&W baskets exceed ASME B30.20 standards and come with proof-load test certificates. Proudly made in Minnesota, USA,  you can be sure of consistently high standards—something you might not get from overseas suppliers.

Relevant Safety Standards

ASME B30.20 Requirements

ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) B30.20-2010 is the safety standard that governs all 'Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices', including material baskets. Key rating requirements include a clearly marked working load limit (WLL), documented proof of load testing, and specific design criteria for lifting points.

OSHA Compliance

OSHA Standards 1926.251 and 1926.1412 on the other hand covers the rigging equipment used to attach material baskets to cranes etc., mandating daily inspection before use, proper identification markings, and complying with immediate removal of damaged equipment from service.

Real-World Applications

Construction Projects

Commonly used in construction to move multiple items in one lift instead of making several crane trips to move smaller loads, material baskets save time and lower craning costs.

When used on high-rise projects, below-the-hook lifting devices such as steel baskets allow tower crane operators to deliver materials and equipment to multiple floors without the need for constant repositioning.

Manufacturing Operations

In a factory environment, material baskets help transport components between workstations, finished goods to shipping areas, and organize inventory for specific jobs. They work particularly well where overhead cranes are available, but forklift access is limited.

Maintenance Applications

Plant maintenance crews use material baskets to transport tools and spare parts to elevated equipment, far safer and more efficient than carrying bulky items up ladders!

Key Takeaways

1. Go for Quality Over Price: With material baskets, it's crucial that you buy the best you can afford. The top manufacturers like M&W build baskets that last with proper maintenance.
2. Match the Basket to Your Application: Think about your typical loads when selecting the features you need. Fixed sides are perfect for routine transport but drop sides save time and effort when loading bulky material or heavy kit.
3. Maintain Proper Documentation: OHSA regs require you to keep scrupulous records which will also help protect your company from liability if the worst should happen. Store documents such as proof-load certificates and completed inspection sheets in a safe place.
4. Train Your Operators: Poor rigging practices are commonly the primary cause of most basket-related accidents. Make sure your crane operators, riggers and ground crew are fully trained and understand proper loading techniques, working load limits and inspection schedules.
5. Plan for Growth: If your lifting needs are likely to expand, buy baskets with a higher capacity than your current requirements. It's more cost-effective than replacing undersized equipment later.

If you need material lift baskets that perform safely in demanding jobs, trust Lift-It and M&W to supply quality, reliable products. Don’t see a model that suits your needs? Lift-It offers the ability to design and manufacture custom sizes and ratings.