Vacuum lifting equipment for forklift versatility
August 1st 2005

With the Health & Safety Executive’s intention to enforce stringent regulations governing manual handling, the use of mechanical lifting aids is set to become more widespread. The AL-Vac range of vacuum lifting equipment is compatible with most types and makes of counterbalanced truck to provide users with additional versatility.

The equipment’s vacuum pump is powered via a connection to the host vehicle’s hydraulics which control both the lifting and gripping functions. The ALVac fork truck attachment features a pillar fitted adjacent to the driver’s overhead guard plus a swinging arm with a knuckle joint. This configuration enables the forklift operator to lift individual items weighing up to 100kg at a distance of up to two metres from the truck, typically on or off a pallet. A variety of vacuum lifting heads to suit different products is available and, when not in use, the attachment folds simply and neatly away.

Colin Harper, director of AL-Vac, says: “The latest manual handling legislation has real teeth and the HSE has stated its intention to ensure that injuries to a company’s workforce are drastically reduced by using mechanical lifting equipment. We welcome this move and are confident that we can provide the right tool for almost any lifting job.”

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