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.” More articles from Al-Vac UK Ltd: | 
