Conquip Crane Forks Cage

Fail-safe, LOLER-compliant cage for lifting palletised blocks and bricks with Conquip Crane Forks.

The Conquip Crane Forks Cage is an industry-approved, fail-safe method for lifting pallets of blocks and bricks around site. The concept was developed in collaboration with leading UK contractors and lifting personnel following near-misses where Crane Forks were used with restraint nets alone. The cage features a large internal area of 1200mm length by 1300mm width, accommodating all common pallet sizes, and a robust latch mechanism that prevents door opening once shut. The cage is lightweight enough to ensure that the cage plus a pallet of bricks or block packs remains within the Working Load Limit of Conquip Crane Forks. Ramped access allows the unit to be unloaded with a pallet truck on a scaffold loading bay, a CantiDeck, or anywhere with reduced ceiling height. Gate access provides easy unloading with Conquip Crane Forks. Compatible with Conquip Crane Forks, this is the safest method for transporting palletised material to height.

Technical Specifications

Key Features

• Large internal area of 1200mm by 1300mm accommodates all common pallet sizes including standard UK and Euro pallets
• Lightweight construction keeps the loaded cage within the Working Load Limit of Conquip Crane Forks
• Robust latch mechanism prevents the door from opening after it has been shut
• Ramped access allows pallet-truck unloading on scaffold loading bays, CantiDeck systems, or areas with reduced ceiling height
• Gate access enables straightforward unloading with Conquip Crane Forks
• Mesh side panels provide visibility of the load while containing materials securely
• Lifting points engineered for use with Conquip Crane Forks as a paired solution
• Manufactured in the UK to BS EN 13155 and certified for crane lifting

Suitable Applications

The Crane Forks Cage is the best-practice solution for any site lifting palletised bricks, blocks, or block packs to height. It is widely used on housebuilding sites, RC frame construction, infrastructure projects, and any site where Conquip Crane Forks are deployed for material handling. The cage was used as best practice on the Northern Line Extension project, demonstrating its suitability for high-profile, safety-critical environments. It performs particularly well during blind lifts into shafts, where the solid walls and cage structure offer security that nets cannot match.

How to Use

1. Position Conquip Crane Forks under the cage and engage the lifting tines fully
2. Open the hinged gate or lower the access ramp depending on loading method
3. Load the pallet of bricks or blocks centrally into the cage using a forklift or pallet truck
4. Close the gate fully, ensuring the latch mechanism engages and locks
5. Verify the load is centred and stable, then signal the crane operator to lift
6. At the destination, ground the cage on a stable surface before opening
7. Open the gate or deploy the ramp and remove the palletised load using a pallet truck

Warning: Always verify the latch is fully engaged before lifting. Never exceed the 2000kg Working Load Limit. Inspect the cage before each use for damage to the frame, hinges, or latch mechanism. Lifting must be carried out by competent personnel in accordance with LOLER 1998.

Safety Information

• Working Load Limit must not be exceeded under any circumstances
• Pre-use inspection required before each lift, with a thorough examination every six months under LOLER 1998
• Latch mechanism must be fully engaged with the gate closed before lifting
• Cage must only be used with Conquip Crane Forks; not approved for use with other lifting attachments
• Ground personnel must remain clear of the lift zone during all crane operations
• Damaged cages must be removed from service immediately and inspected by a competent person before further use

Frequently Asked Questions