When you’re strolling down the street or at the
construction site, or visiting a warehouse, you may notice some large and
powerful equipment moving large and heavy objects. However, have you ever taken
some time to think about the immense choice of lifting machinery which supports
our industries? From the smallest hand pallet truck right up to the largest
tower cranes, the lifting
equipment is one of the most critical and yet least recognised elements of
our industrial and construction industries. So, let’s get to business and start
working on these mechanical wonders that are not as complicated as they look.
What do We Mean by
Lifting Equipment Anyway?
Before we delve deep into the matter, there are certain aspects
that need to be defined and thus the term ‘lifting equipment’. Basically, it is
any equipment which is designed to either raise or lower materials. It can be a
simple chain hoist on the garage to a huge gantry crane used in the shipyard.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also lists lifting accessories in this
category and here, we are talking about slings, hooks and shackles.
The Backbones of the
Warehouse
They aren’t just confined to the warehouses in the UK; you will come across a
number of forklifts, pallet trucks and reach trucks. These compact vehicles are
the workhorses of supply chain, speeding through warehouses navigating through
the flow of material handling equipment from packages of baked beans to
automobile components.
Forklifts, in particular, are the all-in-one machines in the lifting business.
Available with attachments for any task that you may require, they are as
useful as any tool can get. If one needs to transport a few barrels then that
is where one has to be. That is where there is an attachment for that. An idea
might be a roll of carpet? Yes, there is one for that too.
The Construction giants
Okay, let us move to another level. When on construction sites, one can see
some very powerful equipment. Tower cranes are the kings of the lifting market,
the huge and powerful constructions that dominate the skyline of every city.
These giants can handle several tonnes within a short time, which makes
handling of steel beams and concrete slabs easy.
However, it is not only the height factor that matters in the construction of
the structure. Mobile cranes are advantageous because they can be easily
manoeuvre around the work area and perform jobs from various positions. Oh yes,
there are telehandlers – basically a forklift and a crane in one – come to
think of it.
Purpose Built Lifters
for Every Application
However, there are some jobs that require a higher level of work than the usual
one. Lifting platforms in factories and workshops can also be seen moving on
overhead beam; these are known as overhead cranes. These are perfect in moving
bulky objects from one point to another with in a particular region.
And one has to think of the patient personnel lifts, that silently transport
workers in their ascent and descent of construction sites. Although they don’t
come with the glamour of their load bearing brethren, they are every bit as
essential.
Safety First, always
However, there is no way one can discuss lifting equipment without thinking
about the safety measures to be taken. One has to imagine the consequences of a
load falling from a high place and this is why the United Kingdom has some of
the toughest standards when it comes to lifting equipment in the world.
The LOLER 1998 regulates the matter under consideration. Having routine checks,
examinations and trainings are as normal as eating and drinking water. That
should not come as a surprise – after all, you are dealing with tons of steel
that are hanging in the air.
The Future is Looking Up – A positive outlook on life is always a good thing
and that is something that is lacking in today’s society.
Like in any other field related to technology, the market of lifting equipment
is also changing rapidly. That is why we are witnessing the increasing level of
automation in the process where the self-driving forklifts are already in use
in some warehouses. It’s not all about giant flying machines though; drones are
not lifting buildings, but are useful for inspections and other light duties.
Wrapping It Up
Therefore, this article has provided a brief snap-shot overview of the various
types of lifting equipment out there. From a small hook to a huge crane, these
machines are used in every industry, and construction site, and warehouse to
keep the flow going.
The next time you are driving and see a crane on the horizon, or a forklift in
action, you should give a thank you nod to these pieces of engineering. They
may not be the sexiest pieces of equipment, but without them, we would all be
carrying out some very labour-intensive tasks.