Lifting Magnets

Lifting Magnets attach directly to ferrous material — steel plates, beams, bars, billets, and other magnetic loads — providing a fast, secure grip without the need for slings, chains, or clamps. This sling-free approach saves significant rigging time and simplifies load handling in high-volume steel operations.

The rated capacity of a lifting magnet depends on several factors beyond the magnet's own strength: the thickness of the material being lifted, the surface condition (clean, painted, rusty, or scaled), the air gap between the magnet face and the material, and the temperature of both the magnet and the load. Thin material, rough surfaces, paint, rust, and elevated temperatures all reduce effective holding force. Operators must understand these variables and never assume a magnet can lift its full rated capacity under all conditions.

Lifting magnets are classified as below-the-hook lifting devices under ASME B30.20, which establishes requirements for marking, construction, inspection, testing, maintenance, and operation. Close-proximity operated lifting magnets and remotely operated lifting magnets each have their own dedicated chapter within the standard.

Amick supplies both electro and permanent lifting magnets from our Pittsburgh facility.

We have been selling Electro, Permanent, and hand magnets for your material handling needs for 6 decades. We can advise you on magnet types to use with different metal masses to be handled. Fast, sling-free steel handling — lifting magnets from Amick in Pittsburgh. Call 412-429-1212.

Type

Electro lifting magnets and permanent lifting magnets.

Applications

Steel service centers, fabrication shops, steel mills, construction, shipyards, scrap yards, and any operation handling ferrous materials. Used for lifting and transporting steel plates, sheet material, structural steel, bars, billets, pipe, and scrap. Preferred in high-volume operations where the speed advantage of sling-free lifting improves throughput.

Exceptions

Lifting magnets only work on ferrous (magnetic) materials — they will not grip stainless steel (most grades), aluminum, copper, brass, or other non-ferrous materials. Rated capacity is affected by material thickness, surface condition, air gap, and temperature — never assume full rated capacity under field conditions. Do not lift loads over personnel. Electro magnets require battery backup or mechanical failsafe to prevent load drops during power failure. Inspect magnet face, housing, electrical connections (electro), and lever mechanism (permanent) before each use. Annual periodic inspections required per ASME B30.20.