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How to Choose the Right Lifting Equipment

When looking to Purchase or Hire Lifting Equipment, selecting the right equipment is essential to maintaining safety, efficiency, and compliance across a range of industries. At Protier, we’re here to help you make the right choice for your operation—no matter the application or environment.

✅ 1. Know Your Load Capacity

Start by identifying the maximum weight you’ll need to lift. Don’t forget to include the combined weight of any attachments or accessories. The load’s size, shape, and overall weight will all influence which type of lifting equipment is most suitable.

✅ 2. Consider the Required Lift Height

What’s the vertical distance your equipment needs to cover? Make sure your lifting solution can safely reach the necessary height without overextending. Keep in mind that the higher you lift, the more important load stability becomes.

✅ 3. Understand the Application

Every job is different—and so is the lifting equipment required. Think about your specific industry and the type of work you’re doing. The right equipment will help you meet operational needs while staying compliant with safety standards and regulations.

✅ 4. Evaluate the Environment

Will the equipment be used indoors, outdoors, or both? Environmental conditions like temperature, humidity, limited space, and hazardous materials all play a role in determining the best equipment for the job. Protier offers solutions designed to perform reliably in even the most challenging conditions.

✅ 5. Think About Mobility

Do you need lifting equipment that stays in place, or something more mobile? For dynamic job sites or uneven terrain, mobile options such as cranes or forklifts offer flexibility and control—keeping your operations running smoothly.

✅ 6. Prioritise Safety Features

Safety is at the core of every lift. Look for equipment with built-in safety features like load limiters, emergency stop controls, and overload protection. These safeguards help reduce the risk of accidents and keep your team protected.

✅ 7. Ensure Regulatory Compliance

All lifting equipment should meet the relevant industry regulations and standards. At Protier, every piece of our equipment complies with LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) and PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations), ensuring you stay both safe and compliant.

Need Help Choosing the Right Equipment?

If you’re not sure what you need, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Our expert Lifting Team is here to offer tailored advice and support. All Protier Lifting Engineers are fully LEEA-qualified and ready to guide you through selecting the best equipment for your project.

Get in touch today to speak with one of our specialists and make lifting simple, safe, and efficient with Protier.

Genie Lift SLA Range

Genie® SLA lifts are manually operated material lifts that offer multiple load-handling options. Previously the Genie SL Range, they offer a wide range of versatile lightweight aluminium materials lifts, extending to a variety of heights up to 25ft (7.5m). These compact material lifts have multiple uses in the construction, entertainment, engineering and maintenance industries. The Genie SLA is a hand operated portable material lift that is just super easy to use and makes light work of heavy loads. Available with a range of base configurations, winch options and load handling accessories to bring you a completely customised lifter.

Protier offer a full range of Genie material lifts available for hire, sale, test & repair. Please contact us for more information.

SLA-10 Gain a larger working height while maintaining the biggest lifting capacity throughout the range, this one weighs in at 118kg on a standard base (137kg when selected with a straddle base)

Working Height (Standard Forks Up) 3.49m
Width (Stowed) 0.8m
Load Capacity (46cm Load Centre) 454kg

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SLA-15 A mid-way product in the range, a cost-effective and weight efficient alternative to the SLA-20 model (weighing just 151kg with a standard base, 163kg with the straddle base).

Working Height (Standard Forks Up) 4.98m
Width (Stowed) 0.8m
Load Capacity (46cm Load Centre) 363kg

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SLA-20 The most popular customer choice, a high reach while working at well over a quarter tonne (272kg with a 61cm load centre).

Working Height (Standard Forks Up) 6.46m
Width (Stowed) 0.8m
Load Capacity (46cm Load Centre) 363kg

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SLA-25 The largest of the range, ideal for applications that require that extra reach of up to 7.94m, do however consider the lower load capacity reflected, the width remains the same across the range.

Working Height (Standard Forks Up) 7.94m
Width (Stowed) 0.8m
Load Capacity (46cm Load Centre) 295kg

Genie SLA Range – Download Specifications

Wire Rope Slings – Tips & Safety

Wire rope slings are an important piece of rigging equipment used in lifting operations and are widely used across many different industries. Wire rope slings connect the load to the lifting device and are available in a multitude of configurations that support a wide range of applications. Protier manufactures a full range of wire rope slings on its site in Leeds, offering configurations including single and multi-part slings, grommets, single leg slings, multiple leg bridles, and are available with a wide variety of fittings and attachments.

ALWAYS:

• Store and handle wire rope slings correctly.
• Inspect wire rope slings and accessories before use and before placing into storage.
• Follow safe slinging practices, as given overleaf.
• Fit slings carefully, protect them from sharp edges and position hooks to face outward from the load.
• Apply the correct mode factor for the slinging arrangement.
• Back hook free legs to the master link.

NEVER:

• Attempt to shorten, knot or tie wire rope slings.
• Force, hammer or wedge slings or their fittings into position.
• Lift on the point of the hook.
• Use wire rope slings in acidic conditions without consulting the supplier.
• Use wire rope slings at temperatures above 100°C or below minus 40°C without consulting the supplier.
• Shock load wire rope slings.

Selecting the Correct Sling

Wire rope slings are available in a range of sizes and assemblies, select the slings to be used and plan the lift taking the following into account:

• Type of sling to be used – endless, single, two, three or four leg.
• Capacity – the sling must be both long enough and strong enough for the load and the slinging method.
• Apply the mode factor for the slinging method.
• Finish: Does with wire need to be Galvanised / Stainless / Lubricated / Dry.
• For use at temperatures exceeding 100°C or below minus 40°C refer to the suppliers instructions.
• Where slings may encounter acids or chemicals consult the supplier.
• In the case of multi-leg slings the angle between the legs should not be less than 30° or exceed the maximum marked.
• Multi-leg slings exert a gripping force on the load which must be considered, this increases as the angle between the legs increases.
• Due to the possibility of sparking, the use of aluminium is restricted in certain classified atmospheres, so ensure the ferrule is suitable for such conditions.

Storing and Handling Wire Rope Slings

• Never return damaged or contaminated slings to storage.
• They should be dry, clean and protected from corrosion.
• Store wire rope slings on a rack and not lying on the ground. The storage area should be dry and free of any contaminates which may harm the sling.
• Do not alter, modify or repair a wire rope sling but refer such matters to a Competent Person or consult the manufacturer,
• If stored on a drum, ensure it is wound onto the drum correctly ensuring the wire isn’t twisted or kinked.

Using Wire Rope Slings Safely

• Do not attempt lifting operations unless you understand the use of the equipment, the slinging procedures, and the mode factors to be applied.
• Do not use defective slings or accessories.
• Do not force, hammer, or wedge slings or fittings into position. They must fit freely.
• Check to ensure correct engagement of fittings and appliances.
• Position hooks of multi-leg slings facing outward from the load. Do not lift on the point of a hook.
• Ensure that the wire rope is not twisted or knotted.
• Ensure the effective diameter of pins, hooks etc upon which soft eyes fit is at least 2 x the wire rope diameter.
• Position the splices of endless slings in the standing part of the sling away from hooks and fittings.
• Never join wire rope slings made from different lays of rope together as this will cause them to un-lay thus seriously affecting their capacity.
• Back hook free legs to the master link to avoid lashing legs which might accidentally become engaged or otherwise become a hazard.
• Take the load steadily and avoid shock loads.
• Do not leave suspended loads unattended. In an emergency cordon off the area.

In-service Inspection and Maintenance

Maintenance requirements are minimal. Keep wire rope slings clean and protect from corrosion. Use non-acidic lubricants Regularly inspect wire rope slings. In the event of the following defects, refer the sling to a Competent Person for thorough examination:

• illegible markings
• distorted
• worn or damaged fittings
• broken or cut wires
• kinks
• protrusion of core
• corrosion
• heat damage or discolouration
• signs of movement at splices and ferrules
• any other visible defect to the wire rope, thimbles or fittings.

Know your Ratchet Straps

A ratchet strap is used to ensure a load remains secure when it is in transport or stored. Webbing ratchet straps can be used to secure most types of loads, but it is essential to make sure that you use and store them properly.

Ratchet straps are made from a highly durable and tough polyester webbing that has very little stretch. The tension applied to the handle secures the load, allowing a range of tension from the user, for this reason they are often the preferred choice for load restraint of large or heavy loads over rope or other straps. A ratchet strap is most commonly used in the transport industry on trailers, trucks, shipping containers and other hauling vehicles.

Safe use & Tips

• When you’re not using straps, you should store them in a weatherproof container or compartment, so they don’t get damaged.
• Choose straps that are strong enough to secure the loads you carry. There are different styles of ratchets, hooks and webbing that determine the working load limit (WLL) of a ratchet system, always check the label.
• Secure the Straps correctly, ensure anchor points are secure and suitable for the loading, ensuring a firm and stable connection.
• As a rule, if you’re transporting palletised goods, boxes and stillages, you will need at least one strap per row.
• If you carry loads like steel, concrete, and scrap metal that can damage the strap material, use corner protectors or webbing sleeves to protect the straps.
• If you’re transporting pipes or poles, it’s often better to use loop lashing, where the strap wraps around the load to make sure the load stays together.
• Check your straps regularly.
• Never use a knot in any part of the strap that’s under tension.
• Cuts, tears, water, rock salt and oil contamination can lead to straps wearing out.

Protier offer a full range of Quality Ratchet systems and components through our Lifting-Slings.org online store. You can find our products HERE.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

As 2023 has flown by and we head into 2024, We would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas, relaxing holiday and a Happy New Year.

Christmas Shutdown Dates

We officially close at 3pm on Friday 22rd December 2023 and return back to work at 07:30am on Tuesday 2th January 2024.

Thank you for your continued custom and support.

Best regards from everyone at Protier Lifting Services.

Welcome to 2023!

There is a lot already on the table here at Protier for the New Year, but we are looking forward to working with our existing customers and creating new ones.
For 2023 we look to continue our commitment to customers local and global, delivering safe, reliable & efficient solutions, combining our years of expertise with the leading products from across the lifting industry.

2020 has been a year unlike any other! We would like to say a huge THANK YOU to all of our customers, suppliers and staff for your continued support throughout what has been a challenging year for everyone.

On behalf of the team at Protier Lifting Services, we wish you, family and colleagues a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We look forward to working with you again in 2021.

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR OFFICE CLOSURE
Our last trading day for 2020 is Tuesday the 22nd of December.
Protier Lifting Services will be closed from Wednesday the 23rd of December and will
reopen on Monday the 4th of January 2021. 

During the Christmas period our 24/7 out of ours services will still be running

As the UK can hopefully start to think about returning to some form of ‘normality’, we are working diligently to keep our employees healthy and safe while maintaining business continuity for you, our valued customer.

Our facilities are currently operating with no significant supply shortages or disruptions. Our stock levels are sufficient to accommodate our current level of business.

As the situation continues to evolve, The Protier team has put measures in place to address and minimize possible disruptions.

These include:

• Daily operational and safety monitoring,
• We have added additional hygiene and sanitation facilities to protect our employee’s and customers on site,
• Reducing, where possible our non-essential work travel.

For those that are visiting Protier, we advise the following:

• Wash you’re hands regularly and always wash your hands before you eat.
• Be especially careful in public places about touching things and then touching your face
• Regularly clean, not just your hands, but commonly used surfaces and devices you touch or handle (equipment provided on site).
• Where possible keep your distance from other people.
• If you need to sneeze or cough use a tissue or bent elbow as recommended.

While it is difficult to predict any additional government mandates, we will communicate in a timely manner any new developments or changes to our current state of business.

Stay Safe,

Protier Team