Stone Lifting and Handling Equipment: A Guide for Fabricators
The equipment needed to safely lift and handle stone slabs and worktops depends on the material, weight and application. Stone lifting clamps, vacuum lifters, workshop carts, winch carts and seam setters all have different roles in helping fabricators and installers move, lift and position stone more effectively.
Choosing the right equipment can improve workshop efficiency, reduce unnecessary manual handling and make transporting finished worktops to the clients home more manageable.
Safe stone handling also means meeting your health and safety responsibilities. In Great Britain, the key requirements include LOLER for lifting operations and equipment, PUWER for work equipment, and the Manual Handling Operations Regulations. Together, these require suitable risk assessments, safe working methods, appropriate equipment, training and maintenance, with thorough examinations where required. HSE also provides specific guidance on handling and storing stone slabs safely.
At Stonegate, we work closely with fabricators and installers to understand the challenges of moving and positioning stone safely. Our range includes specialist lifting and handling solutions for different materials, working environments and applications.
In this guide, we explore some of our most useful equipment and explain what to consider when choosing the right solution for your workshop or installation team.
Moving stone around the workshop
Moving heavy stone safely and efficiently is an everyday challenge for fabricators. Having the right workshop handling equipment can make transporting slabs and finished pieces much more manageable.
The Stonecart Pro is a practical solution for moving stone around workshops and installation areas, while the Mini Dolly or Workshop Buddy are alternative options for manoeuvring stone in suitable working environments.
To suit different workshop layouts, we also supply trollies, such as the Tri-Trolley and Kick-Trolley – both designed to help transport smaller stone pieces around the workshop.
Choosing the right equipment for the weight, dimension and movement of the stone can help reduce unnecessary handling and make day to day operations more efficient.
Stone carry clamps for manual handling
Some handling tasks require stone to be carried or positioned manually. Suitable carry clamps can help provide a secure grip during these operations. Our range includes Double Handed Carry Clamps, Scissor Carry Clamps and Heavy Duty Scissor Carry Clamps.
Different models offer different working load limits and capabilities, some with up to 400kg working load limit per pair. These clamps feature rubber gripping surfaces designed to minimise marking and provide a secure grip on the stone.
Before using carry clamps, always check the manufacturers working load limit and permitted slab thickness. The weight, size and handling conditions must also be assessed to determine whether manual handling is appropriate.
Slab lifting clamps for large, heavy stone
For lifting heavy slabs, we offer larger clamps for vertical lifting.
The SlabGrip Lifting Clamp has a working load limit of up to 1500kg, and is a great solution for lifting heavy stone in workshops and factory yards when used with suitable lifting equipment.
The Automatic Falcon Lifter features a latch system that releases when the slab is fully lowered, and engages again when lifting. The swivel shackle is designed to make accessing slabs easier in restricted areas, and the white rubber improves grip on the material, to minimise the risk of marking stone.
For porcelain, ceramic and UCS materials such as Dekton, Neolith and Laminam, the Automatic Sky Rider is an alternative designed specifically for more brittle, thinner materials. It features a wider gripping surface, designed for handling thin materials including 4, 6 and 8mm slabs.
Winch carts for loading and transporting stone
Moving finished worktops between the workshop, van and installation site can be a challenge. Our range of winch carts are designed to help raise, lower and move finished stone pieces during loading and unloading – or even during installation.
The Hand Winch Cart is a manually operated cart, while our EZ Pro Winch Cart is an electric option, also with remote operation.
Both models offer different operating features and capacities, so it’s important to ensure you choose the right one for the type of work you do.
Vacuum lifters for granite and porcelain
Lifting large slabs or finished worktops is often easier to do with a vacuum lifter. We stock Elephant vacuum lifters, both 3 pad and 4 pad options.
The 3-pad lifter has a maximum lifting capacity of 625kg, and has a pneumatic tilt system, for flexible positioning of stone slabs.
The 4-pad lifter has been designed for lifting finished worktop pieces that can be more delicate. It features smaller suction pads, offering greater flexibility when positioning the pads around sink cut-outs and tap holes and has a maximum lifting capacity of 480kg.
As vacuum lifters contain components that require periodic replacement, we hold parts in stock with priority delivery – to help minimise equipment downtime.
Seam setters for accurate worktop installation
Once the finished worktop is safely loaded into the client’s home, you’ll want the reassurance that the installation matches the quality of the fabrication. We supply equipment that helps installers achieve accurate alignment and a professional finish when setting seams in a client’s home.
Our range of seam setters allow installers to level and align worktops sections accurately and firmly whilst the joints set tightly. For mitred or waterfall edges, we also stock 90° seam setters, for a tight corner joint.
Need help choosing the right lifting and handling equipment?
Choosing the right equipment depends on the material, slab dimensions, working load limit, grip range and intended application. It’s also important to ensure that operators are appropriately trained, equipment is properly maintained and suitable risk assessments are in place.
If you’re reviewing your workshop or installation equipment, our team can help you explore the available options. We can visit your factory to discuss your requirements, or you can book a visit to our Innovation Hub to see and try out a range of our lifting and handling solutions before you invest.
Speak to your rep, or get in touch with our Customer Service team on +44 (0) 1482 620400, or [email protected]
Heavy stone slabs can be lifted using suitable mechanical lifting systems with specialist slab clamps or vacuum lifters. The equipment must be compatible with the material, slab dimensions and load weight.
Carry clamps are designed for controlled manual handling applications, while mechanical slab lifting clamps are designed for use with compatible lifting equipment. Each has its own working load limits and operating requirements.
Not necessarily. Thin porcelain may require specialist lifting equipment with a larger contact area. Always check the manufacturer’s stated material compatibility and minimum grip thickness.
Choosing equipment suited to each handling task can reduce unnecessary movement and improve workflow. Workshop carts, lifting clamps, winch carts and suitable mechanical lifting systems can all contribute to a more efficient handling process.
