Lifting clamps are used to lift objects that do not have an obvious pick point, where the use of only a sling would not be practical or cost efficient. Lifting clamps are most commonly used to lift metal plates, beams, and pipes. Lifting clamps allow all these objects to be lifted, and oriented in an efficient, ergonomic and safe way.

Being made from the most modern and high resistant types of steel, lifting clamps are extremely durable and strong. Lifting clamps can also be configured to be non-marring. Non-marring lifting clamps allow for a safe and secure grip on the load without scratching the load being lifted.

Here at Tri-State Rigging Equipment we pride ourselves on providing our customers with only the highest quality lifting clamps, from only the most reputable manufacturers. We can provide you with any rigging product on the market, so if you cannot find what you are looking for, or if you don’t know exactly what you need, call or email our sales team to speak with a rigging product specialist.

Types of Lifting Clamps

Lifting clamps come in a variety of styles to fit any rigging clamp application. Most lifting clamps are extremely specialized and are only to be used to lift specific types of loads, in specific directions, at specific capacities.

Vertical Plate Clamps

Vertical plate lifting clamps are specially designed to lift metal plates in a vertical orientation. This allows a plate to be lifted by a single vertical lifting clamp. These lifting clamps are very popular in rigging applications where a metal plate needs to be lifted off the floor and flipped 180°.

Horizontal Plate Clamps

Horizontal plate lifting clamps are specially designed to pick up metal plates in a horizontal orientation. Horizontal plate clamps are virtually always used in sets of at least two, as it would be impossible to lift a metal plate horizontally with only one pick point using lifting clamps.

Beam Clamps

Beam lifting clamps are specially designed to attach to steel beams. Beam clamps can be configured to be connected to either a crane lifting hook or a forklift. Beam clamps are extremely popular in heavy duty manufacturing industries, particularly those that deal with structural steel.

Pipe Clamps

Pipe clamps are specially designed to lift pipes in a horizontal orientation. Pipe clamps can only be used in pairs using either a 2-leg sling or a spreader bar. Pipe clamps are an ideal solution for any rigging application where pipes need to be efficiently lifted and moved.

Lifting Clamp Best Practices

To ensure a safe and efficient lift, riggers must correctly identify which lifting clamp is right for the job. Some factors that affect which lifting clamp you choose are:

• Shape of the load
• Weight
• Hardness
• Thickness
• Object orientation
• Final placement

When using lifting clamps, it is imperative to use the clamp with a working load limit closest to the weight of the load. This is due to the positive locking cam mechanism that most lifting clamps feature. This mechanism works by using the weight of the load to tighten the grip of the lifting clamp. Using a lifting clamp to lift a load that is 20% or more below the working load limit of the clamp can significantly damage the lifting clamp, shortening the clamp’s service life.

Lifting clamps with the closest jaw width to the thickness of the load should also be used to maximize efficiency. When a lifting clamp is stretched to its maximum jaw capacity, the internal springs of the lifting clamp exert their maximum gripping force on the load.

When lifting loads that cannot be scratched, non-marring lifting clamps should be used. Non-marring lifting clamps are extremely popular for lifting loads made of stainless-steel, as well as other materials susceptible to scratching.

Here at Tri-State Rigging Equipment we offer lifting clamps with a variety of jaw sizes, clamping forces, working load limits, eye diameters and non-marring pads.

Tri-State Rigging Equipment is a service provider and distributor for all rigging and lifting clamps serving clients from coast to coast, Canada, Mexico, and especially focused in the states of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, Florida, and Oklahoma.