Mobile hydraulics powers vacuum lifting

Mobile hydraulics powers vacuum lifting


Construction equipment has long been used to move material like large pipes and concrete slabs, typically with ropes, chains or slings tied to the bucket or stick. Lately, however, operators of these machines are turning to vacuum-lifting technology as a faster and safer alternative. According to officials at Vacuworx, Tulsa, Okla., vacuum-based devices can improve worksite productivity and, more importantly, keep workers out of harm’s way.Get more news about vacuum hydraulic machine,you can vist our website!

Benefits of vacuum
Vacuum-lifting systems work much like simple pick-and-place vacuum cups seen in industrial packaging settings, but on a much larger scale. And they offer numerous benefits over conventional handling operations, explained Bill Solomon, president of Vacuworx. First, vacuum eliminates the need for unsafe and time-consuming lifting mechanisms such as hooks, slings or chains. With no cables and chains to hook and unhook, there is less downtime between lifts and faster load and unload cycles.
Second, vacuum ensures a powerful positive engagement of the load, where slings and chains can shift or loosen, endangering employees. And it reduces or eliminates the need for tag-line operators on the ground to hold and guide the load.

Consider the overall economics, said Solomon. A length of chain is obviously less expensive than a sophisticated vacuum handler, but in terms of dollars and cents, it becomes a speed and safety issue, he noted.

“If you’re using chains, imagine you have a machine carrying a 20,000-lb load, and a guy with a tag line on each end trying to guide it and keep it from spinning or wobbling. And the operator of the machine has to watch out for the workers while trying to move and place the load,” he said. Operators can only move the load as fast as the people on the ground, and everything stops if they’re in the way, he continued. “Worse, if the chain breaks and that piece of 20,000 pound material starts to go, the guys holding onto the tag lines are along for the ride.”
Vacuum lifting essentially removes personnel from the work zone. “Now, the operator has full control, not only of lifting, but of placing and manipulating the product. He puts that material where it needs to be and goes back for the next piece in less than a minute,” said Solomon. Conventional processes can take upwards of 15 minutes per cycle, he added.

Also, there is no need for employees to climb on trailers or into trenches to attach and detach the connections, and it also eliminates the need for costly cribbing or spacers for pipe or plate. That plays into the economics and safety of the application as well. Vacuum-lifting systems can increase productivity, while the need for fewer ground personnel reduces the risk of accidents and lowers payroll and insurance costs. ROI is often in 4 to 6 months or less, said Solomon.
How hydraulic vacuum lifting works

Vacuworx systems are comprised of four principal components: a vacuum pump, reservoir, sealing pad, and alarms. Hydraulics on the host machine drives the vacuum pump to operate the system. (Optional versions run off electric motors; and a self-contained unit has an 8-hp diesel engine as the motive force.)

In a standard system, the machine’s auxiliary hydraulics powers a hydraulic motor. The motor, in turn, connects through a gearbox to drive a vacuum pump. The pump maintains a near-constant vacuum in the pressure reservoir, which is sized based on application requirements. A suitably sized vacuum reservoir also maintains holding power in the event of a hose break or power failure.