ForConstructionPros.com

Steel chains, cables and slings are a popular way to lift everything from concrete barriers to pipe to rip rap. They're simple to use and initially cost effective to purchase. But if you're moving a lot of material, they're also slow and labor intensive.

"For a one-shot deal, chains and straps can be economical," says Tracy Black, Kenco. "But if you're working on a project such as a shoreline or canal where you have to place thousands of rocks, boulders, rip rap, etc., using an attachment such as a mechanical grapple is easier and faster."

A wide array of lifting attachments are available for skid steers, wheel loaders, excavators, cranes, etc., to make handling hard to move material easier, more productive and safer. And even in today's economic environment, pursuing the extra expenditure can make sense.

"As businesses are trying to reduce overall costs, they need to be more productive in every job they do," says Theresa Dittbenner, The Caldwell Group. "Lifting attachments can help do that. Previously, you may have needed three to four workers to do one specific lifting task. We can take it down to two. That helps reduce the overall cost involved in that particular process. You can also redirect those two workers to a different portion of the jobsite to speed up the process - and some companies sign contracts with bonuses for jobs completed ahead of schedule."

Attachment options
Pallet forks are one of the more basic types of lifting attachments.

Danuser Machine Co., Inc. offers forks that enable skid-steer loaders to move stacked material such as sod, bricks, wood, etc. "Having pallet forks is like having a forklift on your jobsite or at your business," says Glenn Danuser. "Our forks are designed with a strong brick guard to help prevent materials from rolling backward toward the operator. [The design] helps keeps the materials out front, so you can precisely put them where you would like."