• Dec 17, 2024
• News

What is Below the Hook Lifting Devices? Types and Uses

A below-the-hook lifting device is a mechanical tool that attaches to a crane or other lifting equipment to secure a load for safe movement.

Underhook lifting equipment is an important accessory in a crane that can often be used to support, lift and transport difficult to handle loads. This article explores what these devices are, their types, uses, and the essential considerations for their inspection and customization.

What is a Below the Hook Lifting Device?

A below-the-hook lifting device is any apparatus attached to a crane or hoist hook that provides a connection between the hoist and the load being lifted. These devices are designed to handle specific load shapes, sizes, and weights that cannot be managed directly by the crane hook or standard slings.

Key Characteristics:

• Designed to enhance the safety and stability of lifting operations.
• Can include mechanical, hydraulic, or magnetic systems.
• Commonly used across industries like construction, manufacturing, logistics, and shipbuilding.

Types of Below the Hook Lifting Devices

Below-the-hook lifting devices are essential tools for safe and efficient load handling. These devices come in various types, each designed for specific applications and lifting challenges. The following is a comprehensive list based on the provided URLs:

1. Lifting Beams

• Description: Straight or adjustable beams designed to distribute load weight across multiple lifting points.
• Applications: Used for heavy machinery, large sheets of metal, or fragile components requiring balanced lifting.
• Features: May include adjustable hooks or clamps for greater versatility.

2. Spreader Bars

• Description: Bars designed to maintain separation between slings or chains for balanced lifting.
• Applications: Ideal for lifting large objects like pipes, beams, or precast materials.
• Advantages: Reduce stress on slings and help maintain load stability.

3. C-Hooks

• Description: Shaped like the letter "C" and designed to handle coils of steel, wire, or paper.
• Applications: Frequently used in steel mills and manufacturing facilities.
• Customization: Available with adjustable counterweights and hooks for different coil sizes.

4. Sheet Lifters

• Description: Designed to lift flat materials like metal sheets, glass panes, or wood panels.
• Applications: Used in fabrication shops and construction sites.
• Features: Includes manual or motorized adjustments for various sheet sizes.

5. Vacuum Lifters

• Description: Use suction technology to lift non-porous materials such as glass, stone, or metal sheets.
• Applications: Common in warehouses, logistics, and manufacturing.
• Safety Features: Equipped with vacuum pressure sensors and alarms for added safety.

6. Magnetic Lifters

• Description: Utilize magnetic force to lift ferrous materials like steel plates and beams.
• Applications: Popular in industries like recycling, shipbuilding, and construction.
• Types: Includes permanent magnets, electro-permanent magnets, and electromagnets.

7. Clamps and Grabs

• Description: Devices that grip loads using jaws or clamps.
• Applications: Useful for lifting irregularly shaped objects such as pipes, beams, or cylindrical items.
• Features: Available in manual, automatic, or spring-loaded configurations.

8. Drum Lifters

• Description: Specifically designed to lift and transport drums or barrels.
• Applications: Used in chemical plants, warehouses, and logistics operations.
• Advantages: Secure gripping mechanisms to prevent slippage during transport.

9. Pallet Lifters

• Description: Attachments for lifting palletized goods.
• Applications: Common in warehouses and distribution centers.
• Features: Adjustable forks to accommodate various pallet sizes.

10. Container Lifters

• Description: Devices for lifting shipping containers securely.
• Applications: Widely used in ports and freight terminals.
• Types: Includes twist-lock spreaders for standard container sizes.

11. Pipe Lifters

• Description: Designed for the safe handling of pipes and cylindrical objects.
• Applications: Often used in oil and gas, construction, and utility industries.
• Features: Include protective coatings to prevent damage to delicate pipes.

12. Coil Lifters

• Description: Designed to lift coiled materials like wire or steel rolls.
• Applications: Common in manufacturing and metalworking industries.
• Advantages: Minimize the risk of coil deformation during handling.

13. Bar Tong Lifters

• Description: Devices equipped with tong-like grips for lifting round or cylindrical materials.
• Applications: Ideal for handling rods, pipes, and bars.
• Features: Spring-loaded grips for secure holding.

14. Billet Lifters

• Description: Designed for lifting billets in foundries and steel production.
• Applications: Found in smelting and forging facilities.
• Special Features: High heat resistance for extreme environments.

15. Bucket Lifters

• Description: Attachments used to handle bulk materials such as sand, gravel, or minerals.
• Applications: Common in mining, construction, and agricultural industries.
• Features: Can include tilt mechanisms for controlled material dumping.

Uses of Below the Hook Lifting Devices

1. Industrial Applications

Used in manufacturing plants for assembling heavy machinery or transferring raw materials.

2. Construction

Essential for lifting structural components such as steel beams, precast concrete, or roofing materials.

3. Shipbuilding

Below-the-hook devices like spreader bars and magnetic lifters are indispensable in moving large ship components.

4. Warehouse and Logistics

Vacuum lifters and sheet lifters are ideal for handling flat, delicate items in warehouses.

Custom Lifting Devices

For unique lifting requirements, custom below-the-hook devices are often designed. These customized solutions cater to specific load shapes, sizes, and environments.

Benefits of Custom Devices:

• Tailored to meet industry-specific needs.
• Enhance safety by accommodating irregular load dimensions.
• Reduce the risk of equipment damage during lifting.

Below the Hook Lifting Device Inspection Requirements

Ensuring the safety and reliability of below-the-hook devices requires adhering to stringent inspection standards:

1. Frequent Inspections

• Conducted daily or prior to each use.
• Check for visible damage, such as cracks, deformation, or corrosion.

2. Periodic Inspections

• Performed monthly or annually depending on usage frequency.
• Includes non-destructive testing to detect hidden flaws.

3. OSHA Requirements

• OSHA mandates regular inspection and maintenance of lifting devices under 29 CFR 1910.179.
• Records of inspections must be maintained for compliance purposes.

Key Factors for Inspection:

• Load-bearing components (e.g., hooks, clamps).
• Weld integrity.
• Mechanical and hydraulic systems.
• Safety features like warning alarms or locking mechanisms.

Advantages of Using Below the Hook Lifting Devices

1. Enhanced Safety

   • Minimize the risk of load instability or slippage.
   • Ensure compliance with OSHA safety regulations.

2. Improved Efficiency

   • Simplify complex lifting operations.
   • Reduce the time spent on load preparation.

3. Versatility

   • Adaptable to various load shapes, sizes, and weights.
   • Useful across multiple industries.

4. Reduced Wear and Tear

   • Evenly distribute load weight, reducing stress on slings and cranes.

How to Choose the Right Below the Hook Lifting Device

Considerations:

• Load Type: Determine the size, shape, and material of the load.
• Weight Capacity: Ensure the device can handle the maximum load weight.
• Environment: Select materials resistant to conditions like extreme temperatures or corrosion.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure the device meets OSHA and ASME standards.

Conclusion

Below-the-hook lifting devices are indispensable for safe and efficient lifting operations across various industries. From lifting beams to magnetic lifters, these tools offer tailored solutions for handling diverse loads.