Anyone who has picked something off the floor with a vacuum cleaner knows that low pressure air can be surprisingly grippy and powerful. And battery-powered vacuum lifters are this concept in its ultimate form.
Vacuum lifting is a relatively new material handling technology. While it began as a novelty, in recent decades it has become an incredibly useful – and in many situations superior – way to lift heavy and tricky loads.
Let’s look at what battery-powered vacuum lifters are, and why they might be the perfect material handling solution for your business.
What is a battery-powered vacuum lifter?
Battery-powered vacuum lifters, also known as battery suction lifters, are portable, self-powered machines that use suction to grip a wide variety of loads, which they can then move to another area.
Vacuum lifters are capable of achieving a strong grip on non-porous surfaces, using specially designed suction cups to secure the load. These cups are attached to flexible tubes which deliver the vacuum from the battery and pump system.
Surprisingly the surfaces of a load don’t have to be flat: with the right cups, items with curved surfaces, like barrels and kegs, and items with flexible surfaces, like feed bags, can be picked up too.
6 benefits of battery-powered vacuum lifters
When compared to traditional lifting techniques, battery suction lifters represent an entirely new way of doing things, which can deliver a wealth of incredible benefits in the right situations.
1. Efficiency
Securing a load with a battery-powered vacuum lifter couldn’t be simpler: just place the suction cups on the surface of the load and let the vacuum form – no straps, chains or hooks required. The same goes for releasing the load – it’s a simple matter of turning off the vacuum. The time savings offered by such an efficient system can be incredible.
2. Productivity
The efficiency of a battery-powered vacuum lifter leads to far greater productivity, particularly in situations that demand regular, repetitive lifts.
3. Portability
Battery suction lifters usually feature wheels or castors that allow them to be moved around with ease or can be attached to forklifts and gantry cranes,and are able to be used without any external power source - no installation or connection required. This unique mix of efficiency and portability can be a huge advantage in a number of material handling situations.
4. Safety
Vacuum lifters reduce manual labour and increase safety. They are so quick and easy to use that they remove manual handling temptations. They are also simple to learn and ultra-reliable.
5. Strength
Battery-powered vacuum lifters are probably more powerful than you think. At Stratalign our models are capable of lifting and shifting loads up to an incredible 50 tonnes, making these machines ideal for particularly heavy items like concrete and metal.
6. Less damage
Where traditional lifting equipment creates pressure points where straps and chains hold the load, battery suction lifters distribute the weight of the load over multiple suction pads. This means less chance of damaging brittle, flexible or otherwise fragile items.
Enabling New Zealand businesses to work smarter, quicker and safer
Battery-powered vacuum lifters are a truly unique material handling technology, and one that has proved a game-changer for a wealth of businesses. Could yours be one?
At Stratalign we’ve spent years helping Kiwi businesses identify the ideal lifting equipment for their situation – the sort that can get you working smarter, faster and safer. If you’re wondering whether a battery-powered vacuum lifter is the right solution for you, our expert team is ready to offer the guidance you need.