Outdoor Power Tools

In the lifting industry, few items are more important than beam clamps. These essential pieces of equipment are used in lifting and rigging, clamping onto a structural steel beam so that loads can be lifted, managed and moved safely. They can be used with various cranes and other lifting equipment to make lifting safer and more efficient. In turn, this also makes lifting processes simpler, more straightforward, safer, and more efficient; the benefits are far reaching and should not be underestimated by people operating in the lifting industry.

So what exactly is a beam clamp, and how does it work in a little more detail? A beam clamp might also be known as a girder clamp so don’t get confused between the two. They are used to attach a hoist to a runway, lifting beam or similar, so that the hoist can then be used to lift loads. They can be highly customisable and the right beam clamp needs to be used for the right environment. Sometimes this will involve treating the beam in a certain way, and it will certainly involve picking the correct capacity and specifications for the task in hand. The beam clamp used will always need to be fully compatible with the lifting equipment.

How can beam clamps be used? Are they really necessary?

Beam clamps are a necessary means of attaching a lifting point to a beam/girder of a crane or other lifting device. They are very important for safety on site during any lifting procedures. Failure to use the correct lifting equipment can result in damage of the equipment, damage to the load, as well a serious injury.

One of the great aspects of a beam clamp is that it is usually lightweight and easy to transport, so it can be used by mobile teams who are travelling to different sites. It also makes it easier to have the correct beam clamp to hand – because it isn’t difficult to transport them, multiple clamps can be taken from place to place.

How do beam clamps work? Some important factors to consider.

All beam clamps will have different operating mechanisms and will be suited to their own particular purposes. Some operate with a scissor action, while others have bolt fixings or screw locks. However the beam clamp works, it is very important that it is safely fixed onto the beam; a shackle can help with this. It may even be included when buying beam clamps, depending on the intended purpose of the lifting equipment.

As with any kind of lifting equipment, it is absolutely essential that any beam clamps used are of the right specification, which also include the weight capacity. 15,000kg capacity tends to be the upper limit, but check what you need as it may be possible to select a beam clamp with a 6,000kg capacity, or possibly even 3,000kg if it will not be needed for heavy duty industrial lifting. Check all specifications and compatibility in full before you go ahead with your purchase.

Jib cranes are often used more flexibly than fixed gantry cranes (though less flexibly than mobile cranes, of course). They will need to use a hoist, often attached to a sling, to lift up loads safely and make sure they are properly balanced. The perfect one will work in conjunction with your jib crane and will lift loads safely, keeping the weight well distributed and making sure they are balanced throughout the lifting process.

Wire rope hoists and chain hoists can both be used with jib cranes. Both are electric hoists rather than manual and will require little manual input from the operator. The operator will instead be there to monitor the lift and make sure it happens safely and as expected, rather than having to do any of the actual physical lifting. Jib crane specifications will dictate which type of sling is best to use, and for which kind of lift.

One of the best ways to combat low headroom in a workshop or other commercial setting is with a jib crane. Adaptable and flexible, jib cranes can be customised so that they fit into low headroom areas and will still be able to perform the same set of tasks as required. Jib cranes are more useful than other types of crane for this very reason.

One of the main ways a jib crane can be made to fit into a tighter, low headroom space is by being under braced. This still allows for maximum hook path, whilst allowing for the crane to be fitted into a low headroom area. Jib cranes can also have different mounting types that make them more accommodating, like wall or post mountings. In particularly tight spaces, bespoke jib cranes can be made from scratch to fit into the space and provide the required functionality for the lifting operatives.

Your business needs to be able to make money, as well as having equipment that it can rely on. It’s a fine balance in construction, where any equipment is probably going to be expensive and quite a big investment for your business. However, by investing in this equipment, you are also giving yourself more opportunity to expand your business and make more money in the long run, securing your financial future through good investment. If this sounds like some of the concerns and thoughts you have been having about your construction business, then you might want to consider buying second hand. This will allow you to obtain materials for much lower prices, that are also reliable, well serviced and able to give you many years of high performance. Used cranes are one of those examples, where you will probably be able to make some significant savings by choosing lower cost equipment, whilst still getting lifting equipment you can rely on.

Have you ever thought about choosing second hand cranes as opposed to brand new ones? It’s something that some businesses are comfortable with, whilst others are a little more unsure due to the important nature of a crane within their business. However, if you find the right used cranes for you, then you can source ones that will offer you excellent value for money. They will have all the functionality you need, at a lower cost.

Balancing cost and quality when buying used cranes

It’s not always easy to know whether a crane will be of the right quality for your business. You won’t know its full history, and you won’t know how it has been treated in the past. You can rest assured to a large extent that no crane will be sold by a good supplier if it doesn’t have the right paperwork. In order to comply with LOLER and PUWER, lifting regulations that you will no doubt be familiar with, cranes need to be serviced regularly. You should check that all cranes you are thinking about buying come with all their paperwork and have all the details of their previous services. This will also reveal any former damage, so you can weigh up the pros and cons for yourself.

It all comes down to the crane supplier

A good lifting equipment seller will be good seller whether they are supplying brand new cranes, or older, second hand cranes. You have the opportunity to find a good supplier and form good connections with them over time, so you can find someone who is trustworthy and reliable for all of your lifting equipment needs.

If you have a supplier you have worked with before, ask them whether they supply used jib, bridge or gantry cranes. Many suppliers don’t advertise their stock, but will look for you and check what they have available if this is something that interests you. Once they know of your interests in buying used lifting equipment, they will be able to look out for cranes, hoists and other components that you might want to consider buying as used.

Cranes need to be serviced regularly, as you will no doubt realise if you own lifting equipment yourself, or operate it on a regular basis. Cranes that go beyond their servicing date deadlines cannot be used safely, as they might not be operating correctly. Under LOLER and PUWER, you need to make sure you have fulfilled your servicing duties.

If you are ready for a crane service, there will be various providers who offer servicing. Here is some of the criteria they should meet before you select your crane servicing partner:

• Experienced. Look for a servicing provider who knows their industry inside out and has experienced servicing technicians.
• Knows your brand. There are many crane brands on the market, so select a servicing provider who understands and specialises in your brand.
• Flexible. Look for someone who can service your crane at the times your need, and who can come out to your site.