A mobile lifting gantry is often referred to as a lifting gantry, mobile gantry, or an A-frame gantry. Mobile lifting gantries are a very adaptable piece of lifting equipment due to ability to move the gantry to any location where a heavy load needs lifting. They are ideal for people who are working with limited space that wouldn’t be able to accommodate a fixed crane. There are multiple types of lifting gantries used for different jobs. Using a lifting gantry safely is imperative to keep you and your employees safe and to not break or harm your load and the gantry.
Mobile lifting gantries are intended to be moved to the load to be lifted, not to move whilst loaded as this may cause the gantry to tip over. A key point to consider is the ground/surface condition where they are likely to be used. Should it be slightly uneven then you should consider the addition of parking jacks, these are fitted by each wheel and can be adjusted individually in order to raise each corner until the gantry is level and has the best stability possible.
Here are some more do's and don'ts for using your gantry safely.
Before you
attempt to move your gantry to the location you need it or connecting the power
you must inspect! Inspect the actual gantry before use,
look for any damage or rust, check the wheels ad brakes, assess to see if the gantry is safe to use. As
well as the gantry inspect any trolleys hoists and accessories for any wear, damage, or
rust. Once you have inspected your lifting gantry and it is safe to use you
need to assess the place you need to put it. You need to make sure that
the ground is level (unless parking jacks are used for levelling up) and there
are no obstructions within the space you are putting the lifting gantry.
Once you
have done your inspections and thoroughly checked the lifting gantry and the
area you can then position your gantry. For the best and safest lifting gantry
use, place the lifting gantry directly over
the load. Make sure the lifting appliance is in line with the load you are
wanting to pick up.
You have
positioned the gantry now you need to secure it. Before you use the gantry make
doubly sure that you have applied the brakes/wheel locks and parking jacks if
used before lifting the load. If you have not secured the brakes/wheel locks
and parking jacks correctly your gantry will move whilst picking up a load
which can cause serious injury.
Finally, you have successfully used your lifting gantry to lift the load correctly and safely. It can now be moved along the beam on its trolley if necessary.
Before moving your gantry on to pick up a new load you need to ensure loads are removed and all power to the lifting gantry is disconnected.
Making sure you are safe by using the lifting gantry correctly is imperative. We have collated a couple of things to avoid doing when using the lifting gantry to keep you safe.
1. Once the lifting gantry is loaded
don’t move it. If you need to reposition the gantry you should lower and release the load,
disconnect any power move the lifting gantry and restart the process.
2. Never allow the load to swing. If
your load does start swinging on the lifting gantry lower and release the load
and restart the process.
3. To keep yourself safe and keep your lifting
gantry in good working condition we advise that you never tow your mobile lifting
gantry with a vehicle.
4. Once your lifting gantry is loaded do
not walk underneath it. Walk around the lifting gantry or wait for the process
to be finished before approaching.
5. Don’t use your lifting gantry to support any objects.
For more information on mobile gantry safety read our safety sheet here.
Here at Lifting Gear Direct we manufacture our own bespoke mobile gantries and 'A' frame gantries. We are able to offer lifting gantries from 500kg up to 5000kg to find out how we can help you today please get in contact with the team today. For all our lifting gantry products visit our website today.
Contact: 01384 76961 | contact form
