We sell our products via a distributor network that spans the USA and further afield. One of our newest partners is FAD Equipment Store, a South Carolina-headquartered company that puts lifting, material handling, safety, and load monitoring products a click away from end users. Solutions that can be used by anybody but feature cutting-edge design and state-of-the-art technology are drop-shipped to customers. How cool?
The store’s entrance to the marketplace has been impressive, but what’s been interesting is the variety of products in our catalog that have been consumed by its customer base.
We share a belief with the store’s owners that safety and productivity are best achieved by using the right tool for the job at hand. That’s one of the reasons why our portfolio has expanded so vastly and at such speed. There are so many material handling challenges out there, after all.
However, oftentimes, the importance of using the appropriate tool for a particular job is overlooked. In nearly each of those cases the oversight costs the user productivity and / or safety. We’ve all heard it said:
‘Yes, but we’ve always done it this way.’
‘I’m doing just fine with this tool, thank you.’
If there was merit to either of these statements (there isn’t), there would be no need for spreader beams and lifting beams, but any wise end user knows the important differences between each: Lifting beams are typically designed for a bending moment versus the spreader beam that incorporates top rigging and is designed for a compressive load. (There are applications when both bending and compressive forces are accounted for in the design of the lifting device.)
Full shelves
Beyond beams, for which we are best known in some industries, our product range is endless, and much of it is stocked by FAD Equipment Store, including remote releasing hooks, forklift attachments, lifters, and more. These days there really is no excuse for not selecting the right tool for the job, which’ll get the job done safer and faster than another.
Equipment stores like this make it easy too. Much of Caldwell’s equipment range is pre-boxed and on-the-shelf, ready to ship via parcel carrier. The majority of our standard lifting products don’t require a great depth of technical knowledge as users can refer to easy-to-read data charts that outline the lifting parameters and capabilities of the equipment. The right product is just a click away from buyers in the manufacturing, warehousing, automotive, rail, wind, water, marine, military and highways sectors.
Here are just six examples of products that have a specific end use in mind, in no particular order, and all available today at FAD Equipment Store:
1. Composite Spreader Beams
Did you know that a composite material is made from two or more constituent materials?
Anyway, our Dura-Lite composite spreader beams (remember spreaders are designed for a compressive load) are made from materials that are bonded together to form ultra-strong lifters. These lightweight products are non-conductive, corrosion resistant and are easy to handle and transport. Spreader beams also present a lower center of gravity from the crane hook attachment to the point of the assembly (lifter and load). They are engineered to withstand the demands of rugged environments and comply with ASME B30.20 design category B, service class 4*. Standard capacities range from 1/4 ton to 3 tons.
2. Fiberglass Battery Lifting Beams
This product is self-explanatory too; it is made from fibers of glass… and lifts batteries.
Caldwell fiberglass battery lifting beams are a versatile lifting device that are capable of lifting batteries in a variety of industries. Yet, in many instances such batteries are lifted by other means. Get to FAD Equipment Store (other dealers are available!), we say.
Many astute end users utilize these beams because of their non-conductive fiberglass construction. Other features include acid-resistance, coated polyester straps and hooks. These are lightweight units that are 70% lighter than other beams. Acid-resistant coated polyester straps and hooks come as standard. Heavy duty 4,800 lbs. and 7,000 lbs. capacities are available.
3. Single Fork Hook
Few people realize how versatile lift trucks can become with simple attachments like this. The popular single fork hook is designed as an attachment to make a forklift more useful around the warehouse or other industrial space. It helps to provide positive handling of loads otherwise impractical. Note that it can be easily attached with no special wrenches or tools required. The product features strong, sturdy, and all-welded construction, and is finished in a highly visible yellow paint. Forklift trucks are used the world over for picking pallets and other loads with their forks—but they’re so much more than that, as we keep reminding people.
4. Vertical Drum Grab
The Caldwell vertical drum grab is used for… you guess it… vertical lifting and transporting of closed or open metal drums. It is capable of handling one drum at a time. The lock secures the clamp tightly so there are no fasteners, binders, or rings to put around the drum. The grab allows drums to be closely stored to maximise floor space.
Think again about the product’s name: vertical drum grab. There’s a clue there. Why use another tool for this job?
5. Remote Wireless Rig-Release
The radio-controlled rig-release allows rigging to be released from a safe distance with a push of a button. Available in 2.5-ton and 5-ton versions, it is designed for rugged outdoor use. The rig-release simply hooks to a crane, shackle, sling, or spreader beam. The lock and capture feature will engage with very little load. It includes one charger, and one vehicle adapter for standard 12 VDC vehicle outlets.
6. Fixed Fork Pallet Lifter
This pallet lifter converts an overhead crane to a lift truck and allows for ease of loading and unloading in not-so-accessible areas. Available in capacities 1 ton to 3 ton, it features a steel frame with fixed forks. This maintenance-free lifting device is ideal for handling loads similar in size and shape or repetitive handling of the same size load.
Let’s remind ourselves of those earlier mentioned comments:
‘Yes, but we’ve always done it this way.’
‘I’m doing just fine with this tool, thank you.’
Are you missing a trick?
Visit https://www.fadequipmentstore.com
*ASME B30.20 and ASME BTH-1 standards are recognized in the United States as the industry standard. The design category established in the BTH-1 design criteria are based on category A (2:1 Yield 2.4:1 Ultimate), Category B (3:1 Yield 3.6 Ultimate), Category C (6:1 Yield 7.2 :1 Ultimate). The factor of safety and design of a lifter is based on the customer’s requirements such as 1) number of lifts per day 2) application 3) severe environment 4) specific industry requirements such as nuclear, military, or energy. Note: these are only a few considerations to establish the category needed.
