Mobile Vacuum Tube Lifter for 50 kg Bagged Fastener Palletizing in the UK
A UK fastener manufacturer selected a WOLIFT WO-QGDD140 vacuum tube lifter with a mobile column jib crane for palletizing 50 kg bags of bolt-type products. The 2025 project required one lifting arrangement that could be repositioned to serve six workstations.
The supplied mobile base has wheels, a reported 200 kg counterweight and extendable support legs that raise the wheels clear of the floor when deployed. An onboard cable reel and industrial plug provide the connection to a compatible electrical supply at the selected workstation.
WOLIFT reports bag handling times of approximately 20–25 seconds and an operating rate of approximately 120 bags per hour. The customer reports improved working efficiency and that one operator can perform the palletizing task.
Project specifications
| Item | Project information supplied by WOLIFT |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fastener manufacturing |
| Location / year | United Kingdom / 2025 |
| Contents | Bolt-type fastener products |
| Bag weight | 50 kg |
| Bag dimensions | Approximately 580 × 500 × 100 mm |
| Packaging | Kraft paper bags with liners and surface folds |
| Actual use | End-of-line bag palletizing |
| Number of workstations | Six; equipment selected for repositioning between stations |
| Tube lifter | WO-QGDD140 |
| Rated lifting capacity | 60 kg |
| Suction head | One oval stainless steel head, 205 × 370 mm |
| Seal | Nitrile rubber |
| Vacuum source | Vacuum blower; nominal airflow 125 m³/h |
| Support | Mobile column jib crane with aluminium rail |
| Column height / arm length | 3,300 mm / 3,000 mm |
| Base | Wheeled; reported 200 kg counterweight |
| Operating support | Extendable legs that lift the wheels clear of the floor |
| Electrical supply | 400 V, 50 Hz, three-phase |
| Electrical connection | Onboard cable reel and industrial plug |
| Relocation conditions | Unloaded and disconnected from power; jib arm folding is not required |
| Jib swing | 270°, with an adjustable maximum swing limiter |
| Suction head rotation | 360° |
| Hover positions | Adjustable unloaded and loaded hover |
| Production line height | Approximately 900 mm above floor |
| Maximum reported stack height | 1,700 mm including pallet |
| Suction head height range | Approximately 200–1,900 mm above floor |
| Effective vertical travel | Approximately 1,700 mm |
| Reported handling time | Approximately 20–25 seconds per bag |
| Reported operating rate | Approximately 120 bags per hour |
| Video context | Customer-site commissioning; bag repositioning on a pallet |
Why the customer chose a mobile lifting station
The customer needed to serve six workstations. A mobile supporting crane allows the lifting arrangement to be repositioned instead of permanently assigning the same equipment to one location.
For this project, mobility refers to relocating the lifting station between work positions. It should not be interpreted as simultaneous handling at six stations or as proof that the equipment can keep pace with six continuously operating lines at once. Scheduling depends on each station's demand and the time needed to relocate and prepare the equipment.
The operator guides bag pickup and placement through the tube lifter's control handle. The supplied arrangement supports the bag load during palletizing while retaining manual control of movement and alignment.
Mobile base, counterweight and support legs
The reported base configuration includes wheels, a 200 kg counterweight and extendable support legs. The legs can raise the wheels clear of the floor, creating the configured supported operating position.
The counterweight is part of the supplied configuration. Its stated mass alone does not define the crane's permissible lifting load, reach or stability. Those limits depend on the complete equipment arrangement and its specified operating setup.
The onboard cable reel and industrial plug support connection at the selected workstation. The receiving electrical connection must match the equipment's required supply. The supplied electrical configuration is 400 V, 50 Hz, three-phase.
For relocation, WOLIFT specifies that the lifting station must be unloaded and disconnected from power. Folding the jib arm is not required for this configuration. The extended arm still needs adequate clearance along the relocation route.
For another installation, workstation access, floor conditions, available space and electrical connection positions should be reviewed with the proposed configuration. See WOLIFT's crane systems for supporting arrangements.
Gripping lined bags of fastener products
The reported bag dimensions are approximately 580 × 500 × 100 mm. The kraft paper packaging has an inner liner and surface folds. The supplied oval stainless steel suction head measures 205 × 370 mm and uses a nitrile rubber seal.
The actual filled bag matters to selection. A suitable pickup area must provide adequate seal contact despite folds, and the packaging must remain suitable for the intended load. The presence of a liner alone does not establish the air permeability of the complete bag assembly.
The project uses a vacuum blower with nominal airflow of 125 m³/h. This is a component specification, rather than a measurement at the bag surface or an independent guarantee that every 50 kg bag can be lifted.
For other bag types and contents, see WOLIFT's vacuum tube lifters for bags.
End-of-line palletizing and working heights
The actual application is transferring filled product bags from the end of the production line to a pallet. The reported line height is approximately 900 mm above the floor, and the maximum stack height is approximately 1,700 mm including the pallet.
The suction head operates from approximately 200 mm to 1,900 mm above the floor, giving approximately 1,700 mm of vertical travel. These measurements refer to the head, whereas stack height refers to the top of the palletized load. Filled bag thickness, sag and movement clearance determine the usable placement conditions near the upper limit.
The jib has a reported 270° swing. An adjustable swing limiter can restrict the maximum movement angle to suit the selected workstation. Available coverage still depends on crane position, obstructions and the suspended equipment geometry. The suction head can rotate through 360° to help align the bag; this is a separate movement from the jib swing.
Adjustable unloaded hover sets the resting position of the head and handle between lifts. Loaded hover allows an attached bag to be held at a selected working position while the operator guides placement.
Reported handling rate and staffing feedback
WOLIFT reports approximately 20–25 seconds for an individual bag handling movement and approximately 120 bags per hour in operation. The movement time and hourly figure describe different measures: the overall process can include positioning, pallet changes and pauses.
The customer reports improved working efficiency and that one operator can complete the palletizing task. No before-and-after staffing count or measured percentage improvement has been supplied, so this case does not quantify personnel savings.
The reported hourly rate should not be multiplied by six to claim simultaneous output across all workstations. It relates to the reported handling operation, not a documented combined capacity test of six stations.
Disclosed project cost
| Item | Historical project amount |
|---|---|
| Equipment | USD 7,919 |
| Disclosed CIF freight charge | USD 500 |
| Total of disclosed charges | USD 8,419 |
These figures describe the project's quoted scope and shipping arrangement. They are not a current price list or a guaranteed final delivered cost at another destination. The applicable quotation should identify the delivery location, scope and any additional destination services or charges.
Comparing a mobile and a fixed bag lifting station
| Selection question | Relevance to this case |
|---|---|
| Does the lifting task remain at one location? | This customer required repositioning between six stations. |
| Is there room for the operating base and support legs? | The mobile base must be accommodated at each selected station. |
| Can the equipment reach pickup and placement points? | Assess the 3,000 mm arm, swing limit, obstructions and bag clearance together. |
| Is suitable power available at each station? | The supplied cable reel and plug require a compatible connection. |
| Is demand simultaneous or staggered? | One relocatable station needs a schedule that matches actual demand. |
For a similar application, assess the bag weight, required reach, mobile base dimensions and support-leg footprint together. Confirm suitable floor conditions and electrical connections at each workstation, and account for relocation time when planning how one lifting station will serve multiple work areas.
For a fixed workstation example, see WOLIFT's warehouse bag handling case in Spain.
Customer-site commissioning video
The supplied 35-second clip was recorded during customer-site commissioning. The demonstrated action is lifting and repositioning a bag on a pallet. End-of-line palletizing and service across six workstations are project uses reported by WOLIFT; the clip does not demonstrate relocation between all six stations or establish sustained hourly throughput.
Frequently asked questions
Why was a mobile jib crane selected?
The customer needed to reposition one bag handling arrangement between six workstations. Mobility was selected for that layout requirement.
How is the wheeled base supported for operation?
The supplied base has extendable support legs that can raise the wheels clear of the floor. It also includes a reported 200 kg counterweight. The complete configured operating limits apply rather than the counterweight mass alone.
What are the conditions for moving the whole lifting station?
WOLIFT specifies relocation without a suspended load and with power disconnected. Folding the jib arm is not required for this supplied configuration; the route must accommodate the arm and equipment.
What bags does the project handle?
The project handles 50 kg lined kraft paper bags containing bolt-type fastener products. Reported dimensions are approximately 580 × 500 × 100 mm.
What is the reported operating rate?
WOLIFT reports approximately 120 bags per hour, with individual handling movements of approximately 20–25 seconds. The customer reports that one operator can perform the palletizing task.
Does the video show equipment relocation?
The supplied commissioning clip demonstrates bag repositioning on a pallet. It does not document moving the whole lifting station between workstations.
Plan a mobile bag handling station
Explore WOLIFT's bag vacuum tube lifters and crane systems. To assess mobility between workstations, contact WOLIFT with the bag details, station layouts, floor conditions, electrical supply and expected operating schedule.
Project information supplied by WOLIFT. Technical review: WOLIFT Engineering Team. Project year: 2025.
Discuss a similar handling requirement
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