Milz Werkzeuge DE
Guide · Safety

Load capacity and safety: what you must check before lifting

Rated load, safety factor, surface and maintenance: the basic rules for safe working with vacuum suction lifters.

Contents

  1. Rated load is not the same as breaking load.
  2. The surface is what matters
  3. Maintenance
  4. When you should not lift

Rated load is not the same as breaking load.

The rated load of a suction lifter is a working value, not the limit at which something breaks. Manufacturers often also specify a safety factor. A factor of 2 to 3 between the rated load and the calculated breaking load is common.

In practice, this means: if you are lifting a 60 kg plate, choose a device with a rated load of at least 120 kg, preferably more. A reserve protects against uneven surfaces, dynamic movements and decreasing vacuum.

The surface is what matters

Never lift people with a suction lifter. These devices are not approved for transporting people.

Suction lifters only adhere to smooth, non-porous and clean surfaces. Glass, polished natural stone, porcelain stoneware and coated tiles are ideal. Rough concrete, untreated wood and porous stone do not adhere, or only very weakly.

For textured surfaces (such as flamed granite), you need soft pads that adapt to the roughness. The safest approach is always a short test lift: lift, wait briefly, watch the display.

Maintenance

  • Clean the pad after every use with warm soapy water, without solvents.
  • Replace the pad immediately if there are cracks, hardened areas or deformation.
  • Check seals and filters, especially after working in very dusty conditions.
  • Charge the battery as planned, do not store it deeply discharged.
  • Store the device dry and depressurised.

    • When you should not lift

    Do not use the suction lifter if the panel is wet or greasy, if the surface is cracked or porous, if the pad has visible damage, or if the gauge does not reach a stable reading.

    In windy outdoor conditions, when carrying overhead, and on long transport routes, additional safety measures are advisable. A second suction lifter with a second person is not a luxury, but a backup.

    This guide is editorial and general. For safety questions the manufacturer datasheet applies.