Lifting Equipment for Reels

Improve Health and Safety in Production, Packaging and
Shipping with a Hovmand Reel Lifter

Reels


Reels come in many sizes, weights, and materials, making handling complex. Our lifting solutions ensure safe, efficient transport and tilting, reducing strain on employees.

Lifting reels made easy

Many materials are supplied as reels, varying in size, weight, thickness, and fragility. They come in different types, from foil and packaging to paper manuals and print. Handling reels is complex, requiring specialised equipment for lifting, moving, and tilting. To ensure safety and reduce physical strain, we offer a range of solutions - from simple tools to advanced automated systems.

Below you can find examples for inspiration.

Lifting reels made easy

Many materials come in the form of reels, varying in size, weight, thickness, and fragility. They come in different types, from foil and packaging to paper manuals and print. Handling reels is complex, requiring specialised equipment for lifting, moving, and tilting. To ensure safety and reduce physical strain, we offer a range of solutions - from simple tools to advanced automated systems.

Our Most Popular Solution: The Reel Manipulator

How do you get ahold of reels that are placed very close to a pallet and in several layers? And even if this is managed, how is it then possible to turn the reel from vertical to horizontal to facilitate mounting onto a packaging machine? All without physical strain or damaging the reel? This is one of the most widespread challenges when handling heavy reels.

Fortunately, we have created an innovative lifting device called a ‘Real Manipulator’. The tool grips the reel by the core, ensuring it is firmly held and can be moved. Following this, the reel can easily be rotated for correct positioning and attachment onto machines. Most of our reel manipulators can even be swung from side to side, enabling swift lifting from pallets, without having to push the reels around.

We supply our reel manipulators in three different versions – one mechanical and two electrical. The mechanical version is quick and easy to use and can handle reels weighing up to 80 kg (~176 lb.), while the electrical versions are suitable for larger reels, weighing up to 200 kg (~441 lb.).

The Simple and Flexible Solution: Boom and V-Block

In some cases, reels must be mounted above shoulder level, while others have to be mounted below knee height. Similarly, you may work with multiple types of reels. In this case, some reels may need to be attached to a fixed boom (resembling a spear) and others installed by way of a loose boom placed in the core of the reel, and then onto a packaging machine. For this type of task, our “Boom – V-block” is a practical and versatile solution.

For simpler lifting tasks, we can recommend booms and double booms that are available in different sizes and versions. A boom is placed in the core of the reel, which can then be lifted, while a double boom lifts under the reel.

If you need to handle different reels, an adjustable boom is a perfect solution. Here the width between the two booms can be adjusted to suit your various reels.

Can You Grab the Outside of a Reel?

What can you do when the reel material is very smooth, or the reel needs to be placed in a complicated position? In short, what if gripping the core of a reel is impossible? Luckily the answer is simple; you can grip the outside of the reel.

Our ‘Grip and Turn’ tools provide the perfect solution to the task. The handling equipment grips the outside of the reel, holding it in place for easy lifting and subsequent rotation into position. We offer several sizes of Grip and Turn tools, depending on the task, and with a lifting capacity of up to 250 kg (~551 lb.).

Depending on your reel, our tools can even be fitted with different grippers. This allows for a secure grip on the reel and at the same time ensures that the reel is not damaged.

Our most popular solution: The Reel Manipulator

Lifting and rotating reels from pallets to machines can be challenging and physically demanding.

Hovmand’s Reel Manipulator:

  • Grips reels securely by the core for safe handling.
  • Rotates reels from vertical to horizontal for easy mounting.
  • Allows side-to-side movement for effortless lifting from pallets.
  • Comes in three versions: one mechanical (up to 80 kg) and two electrical (up to 200 kg).

The simple and flexible solution: Boom and V-Block

If you work with reels, you often need to mount and handle them at different heights in multiple ways. 

Hovmand’s Boom solutions:

  • “Boom – V-block” supports both fixed and loose boom mounting.
  • Single and double booms offer simple and effective reel lifting.
  • Adjustable booms allow width customisation for various reel sizes.

Can you grab the outside of a reel?

When gripping the core isn’t possible, you must lift the reels from the outside.

Hovmand’s Grip and Turn tools:

  • Securely grip the reel’s exterior for safe lifting and positioning.
  • Rotate reels effortlessly for correct mounting.
  • Support various sizes with lifting capacities up to 250 kg.
  • Offer custom grippers to ensure a firm hold without damage.

Want to design your own lifter?

With our configurator, you can assemble your ideal lifter and explore our extensive selection of customisable options tailored to suit your specific needs.

Pick reels from the pallet with a manual reel manipulator

How to lift and transport reels safely

How to get a grip on your reel handling with reel lifters

Lifters for all applications

Are you looking to handle goods other than crates and boxes? With Hovmand's wide selection of lifters, the application options are endless.