The manual push beam trolley is used to move loads horizontally on beams, as well as used as a suspension point. In dealing with beam trolleys, a couple of different issues can present themselves if they’re not being handled and used correctly. Below are the top 4 ways individuals can misuse a beam trolley.  Side-Loading the Trolley: This involves pulling the load from the side of the trolley itself. When using trolleys, it’s pertinent to lift at a 90-degree angle to the...

The electric power bar is designed to push or skid loads. They’re most commonly used in conjunction with low-profile dollies, mechanical or air skates. However, they’re one of the most commonly misused and frequently damaged pieces of equipment. Mainly, because loads are often placed on top of the power bar instead of on the two tongues, despite the fact that a warning is embossed on top of the body itself. Some of the other most common challenges that can arise is that the...

Since LGH opened its US doors in 1990, we’ve always been very strict in regards to the types of products that we stock for our rental fleet. It is very important to us to have the same types of rental equipment at all of our locations for a couple reasons. This helps maintain a consistent standard to which our customers can become accustomed.  We also are able to customize our rental stock levels by the main industries that are served by each LGH location. Based on the types...

When it comes to selecting heavy lifting equipment for an upcoming project, there are a few things that need to be considered. Regardless of whether you choose to rent or buy, the most important thing to consider when choosing equipment is if it’s been inspected, tested and certified first. Hard costs such as rental fees or purchase price are only a small part of the total costs. Most likely, you will not make the time to test and certify the equipment yourself; and you really should not...

One of the most commonly-used pieces of lifting equipment is the hand chain hoist. Notable for it’s versatile use in a variety of industries, modern hand chain hoists have managed to keep the durability and ruggedness needed while minimizing the pulling effort, so that the operator doesn’t need to overstrain. However, that doesn’t mean it’s indestructible. In fact, it can be easy to misuse or damage a hand chain hoist if proper technique is not employed during a lift. Here...

Safety and efficiency are always the primary concern on a job site, but equipment budget and availability are a huge factor in what tools make it to the table. While Synchronous Pumps feature increased safety and efficiency over conventional, non-unified pumps, they may not always be available. It is important to understand the hydraulics being used to operate your Jacks or skid system to ensure a safe and successful move. With conventional power units there is a single oil supply...

When people learn about Hydra-Slide skidding systems many comment on how innovative this new technology is, and how it changes the way they think about moving heavy loads, and I smile and nod. Hey, I’m ok with people thinking we invented the idea. The truth is, people were jacking and sliding 5,000 years ago. While our civilization has evolved incredibly, the methods used by the ancient Egyptians to haul the huge stones used to build the pyramids are essentially the same as we use to...

Desighed for simplicity, the Hydra-Slide provides one of the most cost-effective and accurate methods for moving, loading and unloading all types of heavy loads.  Whether you're sliding transformers, generators, compressors, pressure vessels, and machines where a rigid, load carrying track is required, the Hydra-Slide will have you covered. Need another reasons How about 12 more?  Reduced After Job Disposal: What do you do with purchased equipment that is not needed after...

In the Heavy Transport and Rigging world, all types of equipment are necessary – gantries, skid steers, transporters, cranes… the more diverse toolbox a company has, the better the chance of winning projects and successfully competing in the marketplace. The tough decision is – even if you have all this equipment, how do you choose what to use? What saves the most time, costs less, is available? How do you decide which method of completing a project is the best? Let’s take a typical...

Upon graduating from the University of Waterloo in 1977 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, I started working full-time at Lackie Bros. Ltd. as a Project Engineer in the Heavy Transport and Rigging Division, based in Kitchener, Ontario. At that time Lackie Bros. were leaders in this field working all across Canada. In 1979 at the age of 27, I took over as head of this Division and it was later incorporated as a separate operating company called Lackie Transportation Services...