The new PS 1 Portable Vacuum Lifting System tackles smaller challenges that arise daily on jobsites or in the plant or yard. The patent-pending device makes light work out of lifting heavy pieces of concrete, marble, granite, metal, steel and iron. Running on a 12-volt rechargeable battery, the PS 1 is especially suited for applications where no power source is available or emissions permitted.
At 25 lbs., the small “suitcase” lifter can be used indoors or outdoors, and works as a companion to skid steers, electric skid steers, mini electric excavators, forklifts and small cranes. The PS 1 comes with one of three standard, interchangeable pads, which can also be ordered separately: 8- x 12-in. (693-lb. lifting capacity); 12- x 16-in. (1,276 lbs.) and 16-in. square (1,654 lbs.). Additional pad configurations, including small pipe pads, are available.
The PS 1 was shown at World of Concrete 2017, along with the new SS 2 Vacuum Lifting System. With the latter, product engineers note, the skid steer becomes part of a system that can lift steel plate, saw cut concrete, granite and marble slabs, landscape pavers and other materials “faster, safer and smarter than ever.”
Featuring lightweight, all-aluminum construction, the SS 2’s patent-pending design has a hydraulically driven vacuum pump and can be readily attached to any skid steer machine. Quick-connect hydraulic hoses and a universal mounting plate ease attachment switching to boost productivity. The SS 2 can also be used with a variety of mini-excavators or small cranes using the clevis hook connection. The compact device weighs 98 lbs. (without mounting plate), but has a lifting capacity up to 2,716 lbs. The SS 2 is compatible with all skid steer brands and suits floor, sidewalk, driveway, road and landscaping projects.
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| The PS 1 can be used on a cart or sherpa-style machine, while the SS 2 is configured for skid steer, forklift or mini-excavator operation. |
Vacuum lifting offers a safer alternative than hooks and chains, the manufacturer contends. The vacuum pump operates using the auxiliary hydraulics from the host machine (minimum 10 gpm required with maximum 3,000 psi). The pump maintains a constant vacuum in the pressure reservoir. When activated, the system pulls a vacuum between the integrated 24-in. square vacuum pad and the object to be lifted, providing a powerful positive seal. The company’s Tough Seal pad seal is used to cover the material to be lifted and create the necessary suction. The vacuum seal holds until the operator activates the release, even in the event of a power failure. — Vacuworx LLC, Tulsa, Okla., 918/259-3050, www.vacuworx.com