Cranes In Construction
By Mike Larson
Load Control
New Options Promise Better Lifting Performance
Load Balancer
Technical advances in load handlers aim to make lifting better
Crane owners and users who would like a better way to handle loads with offset centers of gravity, might want to take note of two new products offered by pewag.
The new-to-America load balancers and compensators from pewag are among technically advanced products aimed at improving crane operation and load-handling precision.
Here’ s a quick look at the new offerings.
pewag Levo Load Balancers and Compensators pewag Levo load balancers and load compensators are below-the-hook devices designed to provide easier and more-accurate control of loads that have offset centers of gravity, like stairs, pumps, rooftop HVAC units and structural fabrications.
Proven in Europe for years and now available in the United States, pewag Levo units comply with ASME standard B30.20-2021.
They are made by LiftingXperts, a Dutch company that has 35 years of experience and has joined Modulift, LMS( Load Monitoring Systems) and Terrier Clamps as part of the pewag family of companies.
A pewag Levo load balancer uses either a single chain or synthetic sling to rotate and balance a load in one plane.
The balancers come in capacities of 5, 20 or 50 metric tons( 5.5, 22 or 55 U. S. tons).
Some models in each capacity use a synthetic sling; others use a grade 8 pewag chain sling.
In either case, the standard sling length is 6 meters( 20 feet).
Their weights range from 419 pounds for the 5-metric-ton( 5.5-U. S.-ton) balancer, to 1,124 pounds for the 20-metric-ton( 22-U. S.-ton) model, and 2,183 pounds for the 50-metric-ton( 55-U. S.-ton) unit.
A l o a d compensator, on the other hand, has a hydraulic cylinder attached to each corner so it can manipulate a load in three planes. pewag Levo compensators come in capacities of 12 and 17 metric tons( 13.2 and 18.7 U. S. tons), and their hydraulic cylinders each have half a meter( 19.7 inches) of travel.
A 24-metric-ton( 26.4-U. S.-ton) model will be coming soon.
The 12-metric-ton( 13.2-U. S.-ton) model weighs 1,764 pounds, and the 17-metric-ton( 18.7-U. S.-ton) unit weighs 2,094 pounds.
All of the balancer and compensator models are self-contained, remotely controlled, equipped with two 12-volt floodlights and battery powered, so there are no dangling wires or hoses to complicate a lift.
A built-in charger makes topping up the battery as easy as plugging in an electrical cord, and all models are galvanized and powder coated to resist corrosion.
“ A balancer or compensator can benefit anyone who needs to articulate a suspended load,” said Doug McElravy, sales operations manager at pewag.“ They are useful in civil construction, bridge building, steel erection, housing construction, oil and gas work,
wind and solar energy construction, modular construction and many other applications.” Pat Clark, manager of industrial sales – channel partners for pewag, added,“ These devices can especially save time in daily crane rental by reducing the taglines and riggers needed for a lift. And in modular construction, for example, they enable the crew to land the
Compensator load perfectly the first time.” pewag is offering the Levo balancers and compensators through its U. S. dealer network.
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April 2026 • www. cranehotline. com