A Beginner's Guide to Lifting Devices Page 1 of 16

A Beginners Guide to Lifting Devices

July 11, 2016 1 Comment

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By Lance Osborne, P.E.

Know how to select the right lifting device and practice safety measures when
lifting precast concrete products.

If youve ever tried a onesizefitsall solution, you understand why

people often describe it as one size fits none. Oversimplification leads to a
solution that doesnt work perfectly for anyone. In the precast concrete
industry, everything about lifting devices is the antithesis of one size fits all.
Whether youre talking shape, size, placement or quantity, what works for one
product many not work for another and, more importantly, may not be
safe. Understanding the differences, how to select the proper lifting device, and
how and where it needs to be installed is vital for a safe and successful lift.

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The proper lifting device can eliminate unsafe situations and the need for costly repairs. (NPCA
file photo)

Safety first

Safety is the main concern with lifting anchors. It can be ensured through
proper device selection, installation, engagement and rigging for the specific
application. How precast is removed from the form, handled at the plant, placed
in storage, placed and removed during transport, and lifted into final position
are all actions that must be considered. Bob Siver, operations manager at
Jefferson Concrete of Watertown, N.Y., said larger products such as
custom boxes or panels require a lifting plan to be sent to the general contractor
prior to installation. Wingwalls, for example, are difficult to lift due to their
odd, trapezoidal shape, so proper lifting device position is important.

Our products are heavy and you dont want to see failures, Siver said. So,
being ahead of the game and knowing your lifter capabilities and taking

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advantage of engineers advice and vendor tech support avoids

unnecessary damage.

Jefferson Concrete takes two factors into account when selecting a proper lifting device the
weight and design of the product. (NPCA file photo)

Lifting device suppliers can often share expertise and make

recommendations on how to install, engage and load devices
through installation and rigging diagrams. Not following the suppliers
recommendations and/or failing to consider all the different loads devices and
precast structures will experience during a lift may lead to cracking, spalling or
an unsafe situation. Jefferson Concrete will often call a vendor for advice when
the product manufactured is seldom cast. Support is readily available and
responsive to questions.

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Its easy to send an initial drawing from our CAD staff and say, This is what we
are proposing, are we correct? Siver said. They may come back with a simple
yes or recommend a better option. Its a very good resource to use.

Create an effective plan

Planning how precast products will be moved from place to place is the first
step to consider. Thoroughly reviewing the different loads lifting anchors will
experience and referring to the manufacturer will lead to a successful lift. Siver
said Jefferson Concrete takes two factors into account when selecting a proper
lifting device the weight and design of the product. Weight is considered due
to the plant having multiple crane options and the design determines where
lifting devices are positioned. Once those are planned, the proper lifting device
is selected.

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These wall sections required two separate lifts with different devices to
ensure safety and quality. (NPCA file photo)

For instance, for a flat slab, the contractor does not want an exposed lifter
placed right in the middle of the slab, so you have to consider what your final
product will look like, he said. And secondly, when choosing a lifter, you have
to look at the weight charts and the capability of different types of lifters.

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Next, planning proper installation of the lifting device is also extremely

important. This can be rushed, overlooked or taken for granted during form
setup. Quality control personnel should take extra care during prepour
to validate that the dimensions of the form, placement of reinforcing steel,
blockouts and spacers are in position and within applicable tolerances. The
placement and installation control the application of lifting and handling loads
on the structure.

For Jefferson Concrete, lifting device installation planning is especially

important during the winter. The company can only pick up to 40,000 pounds
inside the plant and it requires two cranes.

We have to watch where we are putting our lifting devices because we need to
have the capability of placing both cranes close together to make the pick, he
said. If we have the picking devices too close together, we cant use the cranes.

Attaching lifting devices to the form with a void or recess member or tying them
to reinforcing steel is always a wise decision. However, you must be sure you
are attaching or tying the lifting device in the correct location and in the proper
orientation. Proper placement of the lifting device is critical as the precast
product may not hang properly from the rigging, which could cause structural
damage or placement issues in the field. Misplacement of the lifting device could
also create an unbalanced load and cause the lifting device to fail due to
overloading. Check and double check the lifting device installation and location
while making other prepour checks. When in doubt, consult your lifting device
manufacturer.

Removing liftinginserts

Once you have cast the precast product, you need to properly remove the void
or recess member from the lifting device. Some devices may have a screwin
plug or a removable halfcircle recess. Proper removal of these parts from the

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lifting device is important as you may damage the piece or even spall the
concrete where you will engage the lifting device for handling. Remember to be
cautious and also consult the manufacturer for additional references as
there may be specific recommendations for removal.

Double check before lifting

The condition of the lifting device is also something that should not be
overlooked. The manufacturer usually has instructions and/or photographs and
diagrams showing how the device should look prior to the actual lift. If it
does not look correct, stop and double check the shop tickets. If the void is
damaged or has spalls, the manufacturer has recommendations for proper
repairs and alternate lifting methods. Taking time to ensure the lifting device
is acceptable for use is critical.

When you are ready to remove the precast piece from the form or from the yard
for shipment to the job site, be sure the hook or clutch fits the lifting device
properly and is oriented in the correct direction for lifting. Hook and
clutch engagement should not be difficult and extreme force with a hammer is a
significant reason to stop. Check to ensure the engagement location is free of
debris and that the hook and clutch do not have excessive wear.

Always remember if the hook and/or clutch are not in good working condition,
stop and check them or get an alternate piece. Once the lifting device is exposed
and secured by the hook or clutch, ensure it is oriented properly in the direction
of the pull. Review the rigging to see that the lifting points are equally loaded
and roll through the pulleys properly. Make sure clutch bails are not pinned
from underneath to eliminate damaging the clutch, spalling the concrete around
the lifting device or breaking the lifting device. All scenarios could be very
dangerous.

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Double check your devices and consult your manufacturer with any questions to ensure lifting
devices are placed correctly. (NPCA file photo)

Rigging and delivery

When the rigging is determined, sling angles and the use of pulleys should be
considered. Shallow sling angles can significantly increase the load for the
lifting device. A lack of pulleys can increase the load for some while not for
others. Consult with rigging diagrams and configurations to ensure the load
distribution is equalized. Your lifting device manufacturer can help provide
these diagrams and make suggestions for each unique lifting case. Equipment
availability and clearances are understandable hurdles; therefore, review
all options to obtain the safest lift of the precast structure.

Delivery from the plant to the yard for shortterm storage without damage is a
good indicator that appropriate operator education and device application was
made. However, transportation to the final destination and placement should
still be reviewed. When the precast piece is hanging by the rigging while being

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carried to storage or final placement in the field, the condition of the travel
surface also needs to be taken into consideration. Large bumps and holes need
to be avoided as the hanging precast piece could bounce, creating significant
impact load to the lifting devices. Impact loading during transportation needs
to be minimized or eliminated to avoid overloading the device.

Siver also recommends precasters hold regular safety meetings or take

advantage of National Precast Concrete Associations live education and
webinars to help new employees learn the proper use of lifting devices. He said
its not right to assume every employee understands how to find the center of
gravity on an oddshaped product or knows where to place lifting devices.

A critical link in the chain

Lifting devices are a very important part of the process of moving precast.
Checking the selection, application, installation, orientation, hook or clutch
engagement, rigging and surface condition of the suspended load will help
eliminate issues and product failures.

Lance Osborne, P.E., is the director of sales at Structural Technologies in

Columbia, Md.

Filed Under: Precast Inc. Magazine, 2016 July-August, A Beginner's Guide to Lifting Devices, Precast Magazines
Tagged With: education, equipment, lifting, safety

Comments

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Jason schraeder says

August 2, 2016 at 8:49 pm

I really like your article on lifting devices. Im an overhead crane operator for international
concrete products in German town Wisconsin and deal with rigging up the panels in the
morning to set in the finishing area. We specialized in ornate architectural facades. One
of my biggest problems is when a wall design has a miter on top by the lifters. We use
plastic shimms to accommodate the angle of the miter but sometimes my coil bolts will
bend on me. I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions?

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