Lifting magnets offer a safe and effective way to lift, as well as move, heavy objects in the workplace. Also known as magnetic lifters, they consist of a controllable magnet. When turned on, lifting magnets will produce a magnetic field. When turned off, this magnetic field will dissipate. While all lifting magnets can be used to lift heavy objects, not all of them are the same. Here are five things to consider when choosing a lifting magnet.
#1) Type of Magnet
Different lifting magnets use different types of magnets. Most of them use a permanent magnet. Neodynium magnets, for instance, are commonly used in lifting magnets. These rare-earth magnets are capable of producing an exceptionally strong magnetic field, thus allowing them to lift heavier objects than other types of magnets.
#2) Lift Rating
You should consider the lift rating when choosing a lifting magnet. Lift rating refers to the maximum amount of weight that a lifting magnet is designed to lift. Some of the smaller lifting magnets have a lift rating of 200 to 400 pounds, whereas some of the larger lifting magnets have a lift rating of 6,000 to 13,000 pounds. Consider the application for which you intend to use it, and choose a lifting magnet with an appropriate lift rating.
#3) Control Mechanism
Most lifting magnets offer some type of control mechanism. They don’t produce a magnetic field all the time. Rather, they offer a control mechanism that allows you to turn on and off the magnetic field. When choosing a lifting magnet, you should consider its control mechanism. Many lifting magnets have a simple lever-based control mechanism. You can pull this lever to turn on or off the magnetic field.
#4) Operation Temperature
Something else to consider when choosing a lifting magnet is the operation temperature. Operation temperature, as the name suggests, is the temperature at which a lifting magnet operates. An operation temperature of less than 80 degrees means that the lifting magnet will operate at less than 80 degrees.
#5) Material
What type of material is the lifting magnet made of? While all lifting magnets contain a magnet — typically a high-powered neodymium magnet — they are constructed of other materials. Some of them are made of stainless steel. They feature a stainless steel body that houses a magnet. Stainless steel lifting magnets are strong, durable and long-lasting. And with this iron alloy, they are naturally protected from rust and corrosion. These are just a few things to consider when choosing a lifting magnet.