LIFTING MAGNET

OPERATING, MAINTENANCE,
& PARTS MANUAL

ACI Hoist & Crane

689 S.W. 7th Terrace
Dania, FL 33004
Phone: 954 -367-7116
Fax: 954-272-0334
www.ACIHoist.com
Table of Contents

SECTION PAGE

1 Information & Features 3

1.1 General Information 3
1.2 Special Features 3
2 Safety Information 4-5
2.1 Safety Guidelines 4
2.2 Safety Factors 5
3 Operation & Maintenance Information 5-6
3.1 Operation & Inspection Information 5
3.2 Maintenance & Handling Information 6
4 Ordering & Dimensions 6-7
4.1 Ordering Parts 6
4.2 Dimensions & Specification 7
5 Safety Curve Capabilities 7-9
5.1 Actual Capacity Value 7
5.2 Steel Thickness Information 8
5.3 Air Gap Information 9
6 Helpful Facts 10
7 Warranty Information 10

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 1.0: INFORMATION & FEATURES

Please read the Operating Instructions carefully before using this Product. If any doubt remains, please contact
ACI Hoist & Crane for further details and information.

1.1: GENERAL INFORMATION

The Lifting Magnet has strong magnetic path produced by Nd-Fe-B magnetic materials. The ‘On’ and ‘Off’
magnetic path is controlled by turning the handle manually. It uses magnet as power. In essence, lifting power
will never weaken.

An external power source is not required which means that Lifting Magnets can be used virtually anywhere. The
Lifting Magnet is mainly used for connecting component during lifting and handling operation. They can elevate
moving iron block, cylindrical and other magnetic material.

It is very convenient for functions such as loading, unloading, and moving. In essence, the ideal usage of a
Lifting Magnet is handling steel plates, die castings, forgings, etc. They eliminate the need for using a clamping
tool, slings, or chains. They are easy for operation, safe in handling, lightly and ingeniously structured. Hence,
they are widely used as hoisting devices in factories, docks, warehouses, and transportation industries. By using
them, you can improve your working conditions and increase your working efficiency.

1.2: SPECIAL FEATURES

• Without power, there is NO risk in the condition of no electrical source.

• Use of high-energy magnetic material ensures a compact, lightweight and durable design.
• Simple locking witch handle enable safe, quick and easy one-handle operation.
• Very low residual magnetism for quick and efficient handling of work pieces
• Large shackle top fitting for easy attachment of slings and rigging
• V slot in bottom lifting face for lifting rounds as well as flats
• Clear markings of duration for varying shaped work pieces, lifting conditions, air gap, steel thickness,
etc.
• Individually fully proof load tested by ACI Hoist & Crane.

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 2.0: SAFETY INFORMATION

2.1: SAFETY GUIDELINES

No hooking of two lifting magnets without the use

The lifting magnet face and the lifting contact area of a properly designed spreader beam.
on the load must be clean.

Care should be taken to make certain the load is

The operator should avoid carrying the load over correctly distributed for the lifting magnet being
people. used.

Nobody must be allowed to stand on top of lifted Avoid placing the magnet in shear.
work-piece.

Do not allow load or magnet to come into contact

with any obstruction. Avoid uneven lifts.

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2.2: SAFETY FACTORS

Published lifting magnet capacities represent ultimate lift strength- the lifting capacity of the magnet
on different loads UNDER IDEAL CONDITIOND- unless clearly specified otherwise.

If would be impossible to foresee all varying conditions of operations from one installation to another
and try to rate the magnet for each and every possible condition of operation. Instead, the magnet
operator must do this by applying a Safety Factor to ultimate lift strength of the magnet, making sure
that the safety factor applied represents actual conditions as much as practical.

Some of the operating conditions that dictate the applicable safety factor are:

1. Surface condition of load

2. Surface condition of magnet
3. Smoothness of lift
4. Flatness and stiffness of load
5. Centering of load on magnet
6. Environment
7. Voltage fluctuations (for electromagnets)

When any of these conditions are anything but ideal, the operator must apply a safety factor that will
account for corresponding adverse effects on the ultimate lift strength of the magnets.

3.0: OPERATION & MAINTENANCE INFORMATION

3.1: OPERATION & INSPECTION INFORMATION

1. Clean up the lifting magnet bottom and surface of the steel load to be lifted, because rust,
burr, paint, or dirt could reduce lifting power a lot.

2. Carefully place lifter on the steel load without any impact. Centerline the Lifting Magnet should
overlap with weight centerline of the steel load.

3. Press the button at top of the handle and turn it from “off” position to “on” position until a
“Safety Key” of the handle passes a “Lock Pin” on the lifter body. Thus the handle has been
locked at “On” position by the Lock Pin, keeping the lifter having attraction power to the steel
load.

4. Slowly hoist and carry your steel load to destination.

5. After settling the steel load at destination, press the button on top of the handle and turn the
handle back to “off” position to release the steel load.

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3.2: MAINTENANCE & HANDLING INFORMATION

1. Don’t turn the handle without steel load under the bottom of the lifting magnet.

2. Dropping, heating and shocking could cause permanent damage to the Lifting Magnet.

3. Protect magnetic poles from rusting with oil after use. Store Lifting Magnet in an area free of
metal chips, grit and moisture.

4. Inspect mechanical condition of the Lifting Magnet and magnetic poles surface prior to use.
The surface must be clean and flat without any damages.

5. Check handle to make sure the Safety Key moves smoothly by pressing the button on top of
the handle while the Lifting Magnet is placed on load.

6. Annual calibration check is recommended.

4.0: ORDERING PARTS & DIMENSIONS

4.1: ORDERING PARTS

When ordering Parts, please provide the Lifting Magnet’s Model Number & Serial Number located on
the Lifting Magnet’s nameplate.

Before using the lifting magnet, fill in the information below:

Model No.: __________________________________

Serial No.: __________________________________
Purchase Date: __________________________________

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 4.2: DIMENSIONS & SPECIFICATIONS

Model PML-1 PML-3 PML-6 PML-10 PML-20

Lifting Capacity (lbs) 220 660 1320 2200 4400
Max rated load for
98 297 594 990 1980
round steel (lbs)
Max rated load for flat
220 660 1320 2200 4400
steel (lbs)
Max “Breakaway Force”
772 2315 4629 7716 15432
(lbs)
A 2.4 6.4 9.1 10.2 14.9
C 3.6 5.9 7.7 11.2 16.8
Distance (in)
E 2.6 3.6 4.8 6.9 9.2
F 4.9 3.5 4.6 6.4 8.3
Net weight (lbs) 7 22 53 110 275

5.0: SAFETY CURVE CAPABILITIES

5.1: ACTUAL CAPACITY VALUE

The lift value of the Lifting Magnet is affected and reduced by the following factors: in all applications:

Thickness (see Air Gap (see Carbon Round Bar or Pipe Sheet
Table 1 below) Table 2 below) Composition
The lift mild steel An Air Gap between When there is a lift A Round bar must A large but thin steel
plate: refer to the Lifting Magnet of high Carbon contact the V shape slot sheet can be bended
Table 1below. and the steel load steel, the lift value at the bottom of the in an arc profile and
produced by paint, will be 30% less. If Lifting Magnet with the then peeled off when
dirt, roughness, or lifting a cast iron, two lines. Also, the lifted, even though it
uneven surface of a lift value will be actual capacity value will is light. When lifting
load: refer to Table 50% less. be approximately 40% of a sheet from a stack,
2 below. that plate. When lifting the magnetic flux
pipes, its thickness may penetrate
should also count. The through the sheet
actual capacity value is and cling lower
also affected by the pieces. This is an
diameter of the round unsafe condition.
load.

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5.2: STEEL THICKNESS
GRAPH 1

TABLE 1: ACTUAL CAPACITY

PML-1: PML-10
Nominal Capacity 2200 lbs
Nominal Capacity 220 lbs
Minimum Holding Actual
Minimum Holding Actual
Thickness Power Capacity
Thickness Power Capacity
(in) (lbs) (in) (lbs)
1/16 60 132 1/8 15 330
Up to 1/4 100 220 1/4 30 660
PML-3: 3/8 40 880
Nominal Capacity 660 lbs 5/8 65 1430
Minimum Holding Actual 3/4 70 1540
Thickness Power Capacity 1 87 1914
(in) (lbs) 1 ¼ & Up 100 2200
1/8 40 264 PML-20:
1/4 70 462 Nominal Capacity 4400 lbs
3/8 & Up 100 660 Minimum Holding Actual
Thickness Power Capacity
(in) (lbs)
PML-6:
Nominal Capacity 1320 lbs 1/8 10 440
Minimum Holding Actual 1/4 20 880
Thickness Power Capacity 3/8 25 1100
(in) (lbs) 5/8 40 1760
1/8 20 264 3/4 45 1980
1/4 40 528 1 55 2420
3/8 60 792 1¼ 65 2860
5/8 85 1122 1½ 75 3300
3/4 95 1254 2 92 4048
1 & Up 100 1320 2¼ 98 4312
2 ½ & Up 100 4400

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5.3: AIR GAP
GRAPH 2

Tabel 2 Above

Formula for Range of Lifting Capacity is:

Actual Capacity = Nominal Capacity (lbs) x T Factor (%) x A Factor (%)

T Factor = Thickness Holding Power (%)

A Factor = Air Gap Holding Power (%)

Example: PML-600 rated lifting power is 1,320 lbs.

3/8” Thickness Plate means T Factor (%) = 60%
.(Note: see Graph 1)
Standard Paint Thickness is 8 mils mean A Factor (%) = 90% (Note: see Graph 2)

Actual Capacity = 1320 (lbs) x 60 (%) x 75 (%)

Actual Capacity = 594.0 lbs

CAUTION
Please consider the Air Gap when choosing your Lifting Magnet

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 6.0: HELPFUL FACTS

Regarding Weight, Shape, & Area of Load:

• The number of poles a magnet has is determined by its intended use. As a general rule of
thumb, the more “poles” on the face of the magnet, the shallower the magnetic field. A two-
pole magnet (ACI PML’s are two-poles) typically has a deeper field (extending farther from the
face) than a magnet with 3 or more poles. The design of the magnet circuit determines the
depth of the magnet field produced.

Regarding the Surface Condition:

• Anything that prevents the face of the magnet from making full contact with the part being
lifted is considered an “air gap”. Rust, dirt, ice, snow, machine grooves and holes are just a
few examples of an “air gap”. It is recommended the magnet make full contact with a “clean”
part before lifting.

Regarding Sizes and Shapes:

• “Breakaway force” is the force required to separate the load from the magnet when pulled in a
direction perpendicular to the magnet’s face. The breakaway force of a lifting magnet is
proportional to the thickness of the material being lifted. A magnet’s breakaway force
increases until the material being lifted exceeds the saturation thickness. Accordingly, thinner
materials will not yield a greater breakaway force.

Regarding Safety:
• The holding force for a magnet is affected by the composition of the material being lifted.
Alloys with higher iron content are typically more susceptible to magnetic fields than those
with lower iron content. Know the material you are lifting.

7.0: WARRANTY

Every Lifting Magnet is thoroughly inspected and tested before it is shipped from the factory. If any
problem develops within one-year return the product prepaid to the factory. If an inspection reveals that
the problem is caused by defective workmanship or material, repairs will be made without charge and
the product will be returned, transportation prepaid.

This warranty does not cover: (a) deterioration caused by normal wear, abuse, eccentric or side loading,
overloading, chemical or abrasive actions, improper maintenance or excessive heat; (b) problems
resulting from repairs, modifications or alterations made by people other than factory or ACI
representative; (c) the Lifting Magnet has been abused or damaged due to an accident; (4) repair parts
or accessories other than ACI equipment are used on the product. Equipment and accessories not of the
seller’s manufacture are warranted only to extent that they are warranted by the manufacturer. EXCEPT
AS STATED HERE, ACI MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
WARRANTIES FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

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