AMH Lifting Clamps
AMH lifting clamps attach directly to the material being lifted, structural plate, steel beams, and sheet goods, and connect to the hook or rigging above. They replace slings and shackle arrangements in situations where clamping directly to the material is faster or where sling clearance is limited.
AMH Lifting Clamps - Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices
A lifting clamp is a below-the-hook lifting device, it attaches to the load itself rather than to a sling or hardware assembly. Plate clamps grip flat steel plate or structural material on the load's surface; beam clamps grip flange edges on structural beams. The clamp is suspended from the crane hook or rigging above, transferring the lift force through the clamp body to the material.
ASME B30.20 (Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices) governs the design, fabrication, marking, inspection, and use of lifting clamps. Clamps manufactured per ASME B30.20 are marked with the rated load and manufacturer identification.
AMH lifting clamps cover the plate and beam handling applications common in structural steel fabrication, industrial rigging, and steel service center work.
Types of AMH Lifting Clamps
Plate Clamps (Vertical Lift)
Vertical plate clamps grip the edge of a steel plate and lift the plate in a vertical orientation. The clamping force increases as the load increases, the grip tightens as more weight is applied. Vertical plate clamps are used for moving plate stock, structural sections, and flat material in a vertical lift position.
Plate Clamps (Horizontal Lift)
Horizontal plate clamps grip flat plate for horizontal positioning, laying plate flat or moving it horizontally. The clamping mechanism locks the plate when the bail is loaded vertically, allowing the plate to be carried horizontally. These clamps are used in plate storage, material handling on flat surfaces, and horizontal positioning during fabrication.
Beam Clamps
Beam clamps grip the flange of a structural steel beam or I-section and suspend the beam from the crane hook. The clamp jaw seats against the flange width, clamping under load. Beam clamps cover a range of flange widths and working load limits suited to structural steel handling in fabrication shops and on construction sites.
Related AMH Products
- AMH Chain Hoists : Overhead hoists used with AMH lifting clamps for plate and beam handling.
- AMH Hoist Trolleys : Beam-mounted trolleys for running hoists along runway beams during material handling.
- AMH Hooks : Hooks and shackle points for connecting lifting clamps to the rigging assembly above.
Why Holloway Houston for AMH Lifting Clamps
Holloway Houston has been in the rigging and lifting business for over 65 years, operating out of Houston, Texas. As an authorized AMH distributor, we stock lifting clamps for structural steel, plate, and beam handling and ship from Houston to customers across the country.
Our rigging specialists can help identify the right clamp model for your material type, thickness, and orientation. We also offer rigging inspection services, qualified inspectors examine lifting clamps and below-the-hook equipment per ASME B30.20 and OSHA standards.
Lifting Clamp Standards and Safety Awareness
AMH lifting clamps fall under ASME B30.20 (Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices). Awareness points for clamp selection and use:
- Lifting clamps are marked with the rated load (working load limit) and the material thickness or flange width range the clamp is designed for. Using a clamp outside its marked thickness or flange range can compromise grip.
- The working load limit of a plate clamp applies to the clamp in the orientation it is rated for, a vertical plate clamp rated for vertical lift is not rated for horizontal use unless the manufacturer's documentation states otherwise.
- Inspection before each use covers the clamping mechanism, jaw condition, shackle or bail for deformation or wear, and the legibility of the working load limit marking per ASME B30.20.
- Clamps used on painted, oily, or surface-treated material may have reduced grip compared to bare steel. Manufacturer documentation typically specifies surface condition limitations.
Holloway Houston offers rigging inspection services, qualified inspectors examine lifting clamps and below-the-hook devices per ASME B30.20 and OSHA standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
AMH lifting clamps are below-the-hook lifting devices governed by ASME B30.20, which covers design, fabrication, marking, inspection, and use. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.179 applies to overhead cranes in general industry. Hoists operated as part of a crane system fall within that scope.
Plate clamps are rated for a specific lift orientation, vertical or horizontal. A vertical plate clamp is not rated for horizontal use unless the manufacturer's documentation explicitly includes horizontal lift in the rated orientation. AMH product documentation specifies the rated orientation for each clamp model.
Contact Holloway Houston at 1-888-496-4700 for AMH plate clamp specifications by model, including jaw opening range, working load limit, and material thickness coverage.
ASME B30.20 specifies frequent inspection before each use, covering jaw condition, clamping mechanism function, bail or shackle condition, and markings legibility. Periodic inspection at defined intervals is performed by a qualified person and covers the complete clamp assembly including wear items and load-bearing surfaces.
Yes. Holloway Houston stocks AMH lifting clamps for structural steel, plate, and beam handling. Call 1-888-496-4700 to confirm available models, working load limits, and plate thickness ranges for your application.
DISCLAIMER
Lifting clamps are below-the-hook lifting devices subject to ASME B30.20. Selection, inspection, and use call for training consistent with applicable ASME standards and OSHA regulations. The information on this page is provided for general product awareness and does not replace qualified engineering judgment, manufacturer documentation, or site-specific lift planning.