Glass lifters

[Welderpaul]

This is another 'anyone know' question...

I've been pulling my hair out over the last few days trying to find someone that will hire us a vacuum lifter that is capable of lifting glass panels (Must have attachment to go on a crane) that are 1200 x 800 roughly - 12mm thick). They are manageable at ground level but need to be craned into position cos we would end up breaking them trying to manually lift them. We have hand suction pads, but don't fancy threading a strap through them and trying to lift that way. It seems we are trying to obtain the smallest version that is available, and it appears to be like the proverbial.
There are also holes through the glass, that we need to make sure the suction pads don't coincide with.

Anyone know a decent supplier? All the usual hire shops either have one thats been on hire for 40 years, and will continue to do so, eyes glaze over when i start talking and obviosuly have no idea on what stock they carry, or, try to sell me a robot glass placement machine ffs

 

[bigbadbugga]

This looks like what you are after, but I think they only do sales.

Might be worth an enquiry to see if they supply any hire companys

http://www.ggrglass.co.uk/index.php

 

[Welderpaul]

Yeah, they keep cropping up, but as you say, sale only.

Its like this one, top left with the single pad.

http://www.ggrglass.co.uk/product.php?action=showproduct&PID=248

 

[bigbadbugga]

This one does hire

http://www.simdev.co.uk/

Its crane and attachment with operator, not cheap mind

 

[Bigjoe]

Morning Paul,
I think you will struggle to find one to rent, ive never come across any on rental, we always used to borrow a friendly company's one on the condition that if we broke we fixed it.

How many panels are you lifting again? you may be able to borrow one with a refundable deposit? you would need to go to more of a glass merchant type supplier.

Ill ask about and see if anyone knows of a rental possibility

Joe

 

[Angusdog]

Can't you make up a plywood carrier, lifting that from the bottom so the glass is supported across its whole surface, possibly locating on either the edges or the holes? Or am I missing something which suction lifters provide?

 

[Bigjoe]

I think it has to be done with a safety tested lifting device for insurance and H&S purposes but in theory a good idea.......darn those H&S people

 

[astro_al]

Stupid Q, but can you not just use straps? Maybe with some material or something to protect the glass? Or is that also not allowed?

Al.

 

[Bigjoe]

Glass is extremely difficult to lift with straps and lifting to height is a big no-no and Pauls stuff is also curved i think.

A major pain in the behind!

 

[Justme]

Contract the job out lol

Oh thats how you got it......

 

[Drains]

Contract the job out lol

Oh thats how you got it......

Now here's me thinking, why is Paul quoting for (and winning) glazing jobs? Doesn't sound like metalwork to me?

Contract it out, surely?

Paul i'm SURE you've already done this, but on THIS Google search, there appear to be a number of conpanies offering glass lifting/suction equipment for hire. If you were employing me, I'd do the phoning for you

Si

 

[Hitch]

No joy from Speedy? They are normaly the more usefull of all the hire companies....
Or try a search for 'Oktopus' Seen them being used for claddin and such. I assume its effectivly the same machine.
We've a few big ones at work, for lifting concrete slabs....bit big for your application though, about 8m long

 

[Bigjoe]

Paul is the job that is about 5mtr up?

 

[Welderpaul]

Its part of a metalwork contract, thats why we got the glazing part as well. Speedy were my first port of call as we have an account with them.
Off googling again!

 

[the snooper]

you could contact these people
http://www.bllinstallations.co.uk/case-studies.html
don know if they could help but they did the glass roof on the st stephens project in hull and may know where to obtain what you are looking for

 

[Welderpaul]

Managed to get just the job for lifting the glass in the end. Job been delayed for a good while cos we've been fire fighting!..

Lifts 135kg, weighs about 20kg. Makes a hell of a racket while the motor creates the suction, then sticks like poo to a dogs coat. Lifts vertically then swings over to any angle you need. And yes, the panel in the picture had just been landed so it needs lining up.

12 panels to fit in all, nigh-on 2ks worth of glass. Going great guns, then 11th panel out of 12. Over enthusiastic lad on the crane hit the steelwork. Bang. 12th couldnt be fitted cos we wouldnt be able to get in to put the replacement panel in.

Steaming i was. Expensive mistake. The air was blue.

It would have been the last day on the job as well.

 

[Hitch]

Oh dear... whos man on the crane...yours?
Looks good though

 

[Welderpaul]

Yeah, my man.

Light wages for him this week.