Magnetic Lifters Compared with Chains and Slings

Chains and slings have moved steel for a hundred years. They work, and every workshop has them. A permanent magnetic lifter does the same job faster, with fewer people and less damage.

This guide compares the two for lifting steel plate, block and round bar.

Time per lift

Chains and slings. The operator finds the right slings, walks to the load, fits the hooks or wraps the slings, checks the balance, lifts, moves, sets down on packers, and then releases and recovers the slings. A single plate can take several minutes.

Magnetic lifter. The lifter stays on the crane hook. The operator lowers it onto the plate, turns the handle, lifts, moves, sets down and turns the handle again. A plate is moved in well under a minute.

Over a shift, the saving adds up to hours.

People per lift

Chains and slings. Large plates usually need two people, one at each end to fit and release the slings and to steady the load.

Magnetic lifter. One person operates the lifter and the crane. The second person is free for other work.

Damage to the load

Chains and slings. Chains scratch and dent. Wire rope slings leave marks. Finished plate, ground surfaces and coated material must be protected with padding, which takes more time.

Magnetic lifter. The base is flat and smooth. It leaves no mark on a finished surface.

Safety

Chains and slings. Someone must reach under or around the load to fit and release the slings. Loads can tilt or swing. Slings wear and fail.

Magnetic lifter. Hands stay on top of the load. The plate hangs level from a single point. The handle locks in the on position. There is no wear item that can fail without warning. See our guide on safer lifting.

Space and storage

Chains and slings. A range of lengths and ratings has to be stored, inspected and tagged.

Magnetic lifter. One unit covers every plate within its rating. It hangs on the crane hook.

Where chains and slings are still needed

A magnetic lifter holds only steel and iron. It will not lift aluminium, stainless steel of the austenitic grades, timber or bundles. It holds less on thin plate, on rough or painted surfaces, and on hardened or alloy steel. It is not suitable for hot material above 80 degrees Celsius.

For those loads, slings remain the right tool. For flat and round steel within its rating, the lifter is faster and safer.

Choosing a lifter

Each SMAG Maxx lifter has a flat load rating and a round load rating at half that figure. Pick the model whose flat rating covers your heaviest plate, and check that the plate is at least the minimum thickness for that model. Every lifter is tested to three times its safe working load before dispatch.

The full table of twelve models is on the product page.

The SMAG range

See the permanent magnetic lifter range, or contact us with the sizes and weights you move each day.