OPERATION
Loading the clamp
1. When placing the clamp onto the material, the clamp should be in the
locked open position with the gripping cam(s) out of the jaw opening.
This helps to prevent damage to the gripping teeth during loading.
2. Center the clamp so the load is balanced when lifted. When using
more than one clamp, make sure the clamps are positioned to share
equal
loads.
3 For a clamp with a standard lifting shackle (SC-10), make sure the
clamp is positioned so the direction of force applied by the crane is in
line with the lifting shackle (Fig. 3).
WARNING:
Never exceed 10° side loading with a VL-Channel
clamp with a standard Lifting Shackle (Fig. 3).
4. Place the jaw of the clamp around the material to be lifted. Make sure
the clamp is positioned so the bulb pro
fi
le or angle
fl
ange are against
the front side of the relief area of the jaw.
5. Secure the clamp in the locked closed position. Do this by rotating the
lock handle (A, Fig. 5) until the lock inside the body is positioned
against the stop (B, Fig. 5). The gripping cam(s) (C, Fig. 5) will rotate
into the jaw and engage the material. Ensure the clamp is fully
engaged with the material
.
6. Once the clamp is properly locked closed onto the material, the clamp
is now ready to make a lift.
WARNING: The operator and all other personnel should be fully
clear of the lifting area.
Safety Clamps, Inc.
Model VL-Channel
4
Figure 4: Locked Open
Figure 5: Locked Closed
OPERATION
Lift and Transfer of Material
1. As the operator begins to make the lift, ensure the load is balanced.
If the load is not balanced, lower the material and adjust the position
of the clamp(s) accordingly and follow the guidelines under the
“Loading the clamp” section.
Never
lift or transfer material when the
load is not balanced.
2. During transfer of the material from one location to another, the
operator should ensure the load is steady during transfer and not
allow the load to bump or strike other objects.
3 Upon reaching the material’s destination, lower the clamp and material
to a secure position until the tension is relieved on the lifting shackle
(E, Fig. 4).
4. Once the load is at rest and secured, rotate the lock handle (A, Fig. 4)
to the locked open position. This will disengage the clamp from the
material and lock the gripping cam(s) (C, Fig. 4) out of the jaw opening
to protect the gripping teeth. If the clamp is in a hard to reach position,
push in on the lifting shackle (E, Fig. 4) after the lock handle (A, Fig. 4)
is released to help facilitate locking the clamp open.
Note: Always store the clamp in the locked open position to
protect the grippers and help ensure longer use.
Warning
Operator must follow all guidelines in each section before making a lift.
5
Safety Clamps, Inc.
Model VL-Channel
Figure 6:
The rated capacity of a clamp with the Universal Lifting Shackle decreases
as the angle of side load increases.
Angle of Side Load
% Maximum Rated Capacity
0° to 30° =
100%
30+° to 45° =
75%
45+° to 90° =
50%
