Lifting equipment constitutes a critical category of industrial machinery designed to safely and efficiently lift, lower, and transport loads across warehousing, construction, manufacturing, marine, and logistics sectors. Compliance with international standards—including ISO 12100 (risk assessment), ASME B30 (lifting equipment safety), EN 13157 (hoists and winches), and OSHA 1910.184 (material handling)—is paramount to ensure operational safety and regulatory adherence. This article systematically classifies lifting equipment by technical type, application scenario, and safety requirements, providing detailed specifications and selection criteria to support industrial professionals in identifying optimal lifting solutions.

 

encompasses mechanized and manual tools engineered to handle loads ranging from a few kilograms to hundreds of tons. Classification is based on three key technical attributes:

- Power Source: Manual, electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, or hybrid.

- Load Capacity: Light-duty (<2 tons), medium-duty (2–10 tons), heavy-duty (10–50 tons), ultra-heavy-duty (>50 tons).

- Application Scope: General industrial, specialized (e.g., high-temperature, corrosive, confined spaces), or personnel-carrying (compliant with EN 81-20 for passenger lifts).

 

Manual lifting gear relies on human effort, offering portability and cost-effectiveness for low-load, intermittent tasks. Key types include:

- Slings & Shackles:

  - Slings: Nylon (working load limit 0.5–20 tons, temperature range -40°C to 80°C), wire rope (6×19/6×37 strand, grade 1500 MPa, 1–50 tons), or chain (grade 80/100 alloy steel, 1–30 tons)—compliant with ISO 4309 (wire rope) and EN 1677 (chain slings).

  - Shackles: Bolt-type or screw-pin, made of carbon steel (grade 4.6) or alloy steel (grade 8.8), with load capacities 0.5–50 tons—must match sling rated load and ensure 90° loading angles to prevent side-loading failure.

- Manual Hoists:

  - Chain Hoists: Hand-chain operated, planetary gear system (efficiency ≥90%), load capacity 0.5–10 tons, lifting speed 0.1–0.5 m/min—ideal for precision positioning in workshops or remote sites.

  - Lever Hoists: Compact design, lever-driven, with 360° rotation capability, load capacity 0.5–6 tons—suitable for horizontal pulling or vertical lifting in confined spaces.

 

Material handling lifts optimize vertical and horizontal load movement, balancing maneuverability and efficiency for high-frequency operations:

- Forklifts:

  - Core specifications: Load capacity 2–50 tons, lift height 1.5–12 m, power sources (electric battery, LPG, diesel). Electric models (IP54-rated) for indoor use; diesel/LPG models for outdoor construction sites.

  - Types: Counterbalance forklifts (general use), reach trucks (narrow aisles, ≤10 m lift height), pallet stackers (light-duty, ≤3 tons)—compliant with ISO 5057 (forklift safety).

- Pallet Jacks:

  - Manual (load capacity 2–3 tons, push/pull force ≤200 N) or electric (2–5 tons, lifting speed 0.2–0.5 m/min)—equipped with overload protection and non-marking tires for warehouse floors.

- Scissor Lifts:

  - Hydraulic or electric-powered, platform size 1.5×0.8 m to 3×1.5 m, lift height 6–18 m, load capacity 300–1000 kg. Personnel-carrying models comply with EN 280 (mobile elevating work platforms) and feature emergency descent systems.

 

Industrial lifting equipment is engineered for high-capacity, continuous operations in demanding settings. Key types include:

- Cranes:

  - Tower Cranes: Fixed to building structures, load capacity 10–100 tons, jib length 30–80 m—used in high-rise construction for lifting steel beams and precast components.

  - Mobile Cranes: Hydraulic truck-mounted or crawler cranes, load capacity 20–1000 tons, working radius 5–150 m—suitable for outdoor construction and heavy machinery installation.

  - Overhead Cranes: Bridge cranes (load capacity 5–50 tons) or gantry cranes (10–200 tons) for factory floors and shipyards—integrated with trolley systems for horizontal movement (speed 1–5 m/min).

- Winches:

  - Electric (12V/24V DC or 380V AC), hydraulic, or pneumatic (ATEX-certified for hazardous environments), load capacity 1–50 tons, cable length 50–500 m. Equipped with fail-safe brakes (holding 150% of rated load) and load limiters—compliant with ASME B30.7 (winches).

 

Specialized equipment addresses non-standard lifting needs, such as irregularly shaped loads, sensitive materials, or extreme conditions:

- Vacuum Lifters:

  - Pneumatic or electric-powered, suction force 0.1–1.0 MPa, load capacity 0.5–20 tons. Designed for smooth, non-porous materials (glass, metal sheets, concrete panels)—feature vacuum loss detection and emergency release systems.

- Magnetic Lifters:

  - Permanent magnet or electromagnet, lift capacity 1–50 tons, suitable for ferrous materials (steel plates, rebars). Electromagnetic models require backup power to prevent load drop; permanent magnet models offer fail-safe holding.

- Custom Rigging Equipment:

  - Spreader bars (for wide loads), lifting beams (for unevenly distributed loads), and telescopic handlers (load capacity 3–15 tons, lift height 6–18 m)—engineered to ISO 10040 (lifting accessories) for specific industrial tasks.

 

To ensure optimal performance and safety, select equipment based on the following technical factors:

6.1 Load Characteristics

- Weight & Dimensions: Verify load capacity (equipment rated load ≥1.2× maximum load) and ensure compatibility with load dimensions (e.g., fork length for forklifts, sling length for slings).

- Load Type: Rigid (machinery) vs. flexible (cargo), porous vs. non-porous, or temperature-sensitive (≤200°C for high-temperature slings).

 

6.2 Operational Environment

- Space Constraints: Narrow aisles (use reach trucks), low headroom (compact scissor lifts), or confined spaces (manual lever hoists).

- Environmental Conditions: Corrosive (stainless steel components, IP67 rating), explosive (ATEX Zone 1/2-certified pneumatic winches), or outdoor (weatherproof forklifts with all-terrain tires).

- Temperature Range: -40°C to 60°C (standard equipment) or -55°C to 200°C (specialized high-temperature slings and hoists).

 

6.3 Performance Requirements

- Lifting Speed: 0.1–0.5 m/min (precision tasks) vs. 1–5 m/min (high-throughput operations).

- Maneuverability: 360° rotation (forklifts), remote control (cranes), or portable design (manual hoists).

- Automation Level: Basic (manual control) vs. advanced (PLC-integrated, synchronized lifting for multi-point loads).

 

6.4 Safety Features

- Mandatory features: Overload protection (EN 13157), fail-safe brakes, emergency stop buttons, and load indicators (±1% accuracy).

- Additional features: Anti-slip platforms, collision avoidance systems (cranes), and ergonomic controls (reducing operator fatigue per ISO 6385).

 

7.1 Regulatory Compliance

- Adhere to regional standards: OSHA 1910.184 (U.S.), EN 13157 (Europe), ISO 12100 (global risk assessment), and ASME B30 (lifting equipment design).

- Personnel-carrying equipment (e.g., scissor lifts) must comply with EN 280 (mobile elevating work platforms) and require operator certification.

 

7.2 Routine Maintenance

- Daily Inspections: Check for wear (frayed slings, damaged hooks), fluid leaks (hydraulic equipment), and control functionality.

- Periodic Maintenance: Monthly lubrication (gears, chains), quarterly load testing (125% of rated capacity), and annual certification by a qualified technician—documented per ISO 9001 quality standards.

- Component Replacement: Wire ropes (every 2–5 years), slings (when 5% of strands are broken), and brakes (every 5 years or 10,000 operating hours).

 

7.3 Operator Training

- Operators must complete certified training on load calculation, rigging techniques, emergency procedures, and equipment-specific controls.

- Recurrent training (every 2–3 years) to update knowledge on new safety standards and equipment innovations.