Ship to yard to right-of-way: Increase safety and productivity by using vacuum lifting

Conventional pipe handling methods usually involve hooks, chains, slings or straps. These rigging systems expose workers to many safety risks by requiring them to be in the loading area, climb onto trailers or stacks of pipe, or be in the trench in order to release the pipe. In addition, traditional lifting methods may pose a safety hazard due to the pipe not being secure, unsafe rigging or environmental conditions that can affect the load.

The most effective way to create a safer working environment is to keep people away from places where they should not be. One of the advantages of vacuum lifting is that it allows you to do exactly that—keep people out of harm’s way while still maintaining full control over the lifting operation.

By utilising vacuum lifting technology, you can not only increase safety on the jobsite, you can also increase efficiency and improve the bottom line results. This is largely achieved by increasing productivity—with cycle times up to 10 times faster than conventional methods—while also reducing the number of people required to do the job.

In addition to the efficiency improvements afforded by vacuum lifting, there are other economic benefits, such as no longer needing costly cribbing or spacing materials. Even though the cribbing material for a single piece of pipe or plate may not cost a lot of money, the cost for a large project adds up quickly. In addition, because the only connection between the vacuum lifting system and the object being lifted is the pad seal, there is a reduced risk of damaging delicate materials and bonded coatings.

Vacuworx Vacuum Lifting Systems can be customised for many applications. With standard lifting capacities of 1700 to 55 000 lb (0.8 to 25 t), Vacuworx lifting systems handle virtually all sizes of pipe, plate, slab and precast safely and efficiently.

Speaker

Steve Smith
Director of International Sales, Vacuworx.

Steve Smith, Director of International Sales for Vacuworx, has more than 20 years of international sales experience. He is focused on expanding the presence of Vacuworx around the world through direct sales, dealer development, and other strategic partnerships. His primary territories include Europe, Mexico, Central America and the Middle East. Smith, who earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Oral Roberts University, joined Vacuworx in 2011. Previously he was Director of International Sales for The Crosby Group.

About Vacuworx

Vacuworx is celebrating ‘20 years of building an industry’ in 2019. Founded in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Vacuworx engineers and manufactures innovative heavy-duty material handling equipment for the oil and gas, water and sewer, highway and heavy construction, concrete construction, landscaping and manufacturing industries worldwide. Vacuworx Vacuum and Hydraulic Lifting Systems can be customised for many applications and lift capacities. Standard models lift a variety of materials including steel pipe (including most types of coating), plastic pipe (PVC, fiberglass, long flexible pipe), ductile iron pipe, concrete pipe, pre-cast concrete slabs, pre-cast concrete culverts, concrete road barriers, saw cut concrete (demolition or rehabilitation), landscape pavers, steel plate and piling and road plate. Lifters can be attached to hydraulic excavators and backhoes (with or without a coupler system), wheel or track type loaders, cranes, pipe layers, skid steers, forklifts, and knuckle booms, and can also be mounted for a variety of in-plant applications. Vacuworx maintains a global inventory available for purchase or rental. Parts, service, and technical support are available 24/7/365 for installation, training, repairs, and troubleshooting.