Lifting Clamps (Plate & Beam Handling)

Moving steel plates, I-beams, and pipes requires rigging hardware that attaches directly to the material. Lifting clamps grip the load tightly using spring-loaded cams or threaded screw mechanisms, allowing for overhead lifting, turning, and positioning without the need for drilled holes or welded lifting lugs.

Holloway Houston Inc. (HHI) supplies an extensive range of lifting clamps. With major lines from Crosby (the IP series) and Terrier, our inventory covers capacities from 0.25 tons up to 60 tons to handle fabrication, shipbuilding, and industrial manufacturing tasks.

The Lifting Clamp Ecosystem

1. Vertical Plate Lifting Clamps (Crosby IPU10 / Terrier TSU)

Designed for lifting, turning (up to 180 degrees), and vertical transfer of steel plates.

• Mechanism: Features an articulated lifting shackle. As tension applies, the internal cam mechanism drives hardened steel teeth into the plate.
• Locking: Includes a pre-tension locking lever so the clamp stays attached to the plate even when the crane line goes slack.
• Use Case: Feeding plates into presses, shears, and storing steel vertically.

2. Horizontal Plate Lifting Clamps (Crosby IPH10 / Terrier FHX)

Used exclusively in pairs (or multiples) for lifting plates that must remain flat during transfer.

• Mechanism: These clamps slide onto the edges of the plate. The tension from the lifting slings holds the clamps in place.
• Use Case: Moving large steel sheets from delivery trucks to cutting tables without bending or sagging.

3. Beam Clamps (Crosby IPTK / Terrier TBC)

Designed to grip the flanges of structural I-beams and H-beams.

• Application: Can be used to lift and stack the beams themselves, or attached to an overhead beam to create a temporary anchor point for a hoist.

4. Screw Clamps & Positioning Clamps (Crosby IPSC)

Utilize a threaded mechanism rather than a spring-loaded cam.

• Function: The operator manually tightens the screw pad against the material.
• Use Case: Excellent for temporarily positioning steel sections for welding, ship building, or pulling plates together.

5. Non-Marring & Specialty Clamps

Clamps designed for lifting delicate or uniquely shaped materials without causing damage.

• Non-Marring Clamps (Crosby IPNM): Feature smooth friction pads instead of steel teeth. Used to lift polished stainless steel, aluminum, or coated materials without scratching the surface.
• Pipe & Drum Clamps: Specialized jaw shapes designed to securely lift cylindrical objects, concrete blocks, or standard steel drums.

Selection & Usage Guidelines

1. Match the Clamp to the Material Hardness

Standard clamps use hardened steel teeth that must bite into the load. The surface hardness of the material being lifted must fall within the clamp manufacturer's specified limits (typically under 345 HB / 37 Rc for standard models). For harder materials, specific high-hardness clamps are required.

2. Grip Range (Jaw Opening)

Every clamp designates a minimum and maximum material thickness. Lifting a plate thinner than the stated minimum grip range stops the cam from locking correctly, leading to load slippage. Always verify plate thickness before attaching the clamp.

3. Sling Angle Capacity Reductions

When lifting with multiple clamps on a multi-leg sling, the angle of the sling legs reduces the total lifting capacity. Always calculate the reduced Working Load Limit (WLL) based on the specific sling angle charts provided in the Crosby or Terrier user manuals.

Technical Specifications

• Capacities: 0.25 Tons to 60 Tons.
• Manufacturers: Crosby (IP Clamps), Terrier, All Material Handling (AMH).
• Jaw Openings: Models available to handle thin sheet metal up to thick structural steel blocks.
• Functions: Vertical lifting, horizontal transfer, 180-degree turning, non-marring, and structural anchoring.

Browse our inventory to filter by Clamp Type, Manufacturer, and Working Load Limit.