The Yale YBA spring balancer counterbalances hand-held tools at the workstation, holding them weightless at any chosen height with adjustable spring tension set to the exact tool weight. Capacities run from 9 kg up to 70 kg, with YBA-L extended-rope variants offering 2.3 m of cable travel against the 1.3 – 1.5 m of the standard models. Its defining feature is a rope-breakage safety lock that arrests the spring drum instantly if the cable fails — making the YBA the recommended balancer near flying sparks, hot metal or sharp edges.
Key Features
- Rope-breakage safety lock: The primary feature distinguishing the YBA from the YBF. The mechanism monitors cable tension, and a sudden loss of tension caused by rope failure, hook breakage, or load dislodging triggers an immediate internal lock that arrests the spring drum and prevents whipping injury to nearby personnel.
- Aluminium pressure die-cast housing: High-tensile alloy chosen for maximum impact resistance in production environments. The spring assembly is enclosed in a separate closed steel housing inside the main body, isolating the live components from external impact.
- Adjustable spring tension: External adjuster sets the spring to balance the specific tool weight. Once set, the tool floats at any extended position with no operator effort.
- Load indicator: A calibrated indicator on the housing shows the current capacity setting, allowing supervisors to verify each unit before a shift without removing it from service.
- Upper and lower suspension eyes: Both the primary suspension and the load end include eye anchor points for secondary safety chains, in line with DIN 15112 compliance.
- Easy rope exchange: The steel wire rope can be replaced through a body slot without disassembling the balancer, dramatically reducing service downtime when ropes wear or are damaged.
- Manual drum lock: Engages the drum for safe rope replacement or for changing the attached load when re-tensioning. This is a maintenance feature, not a position lock for operator use.
- Standard and extended-rope (L) variants: Choose 1.3 – 1.5 m cable travel for fixed-height workstations, or 2.3 m for overhead suspension points where the tool needs to reach down to bench level.
Technical Specifications
| Model |
Article No. |
Capacity (kg) |
Cable Travel (m) |
Weight (kg) |
| YBA-15 |
N08300033 |
9 – 15 |
1.3 |
5.5 |
| YBA-22 |
N08300034 |
15 – 22 |
1.5 |
8.5 |
| YBA-30 |
N08300035 |
22 – 30 |
1.5 |
9.0 |
| YBA-40 |
N08300036 |
30 – 40 |
1.5 |
10.0 |
| YBA-50 |
N08300037 |
40 – 50 |
1.5 |
11.0 |
| YBA-60 |
N08300038 |
50 – 60 |
1.5 |
12.0 |
| YBA-70 |
N08300039 |
60 – 70 |
1.5 |
13.5 |
| YBA-15L |
N08300040 |
9 – 15 |
2.3 |
8.5 |
| YBA-22L |
N08300041 |
15 – 22 |
2.3 |
9.0 |
| YBA-30L |
N08300042 |
22 – 30 |
2.3 |
9.5 |
| YBA-40L |
N08300043 |
30 – 40 |
2.3 |
12.0 |
| YBA-50L |
N08300044 |
40 – 50 |
2.3 |
12.5 |
| YBA-60L |
N08300045 |
50 – 60 |
2.3 |
13.5 |
| YBA-70L |
N08300046 |
60 – 70 |
2.3 |
14.0 |
The YBA-L extended-rope variants share the mechanism, capacity, and safety features of their standard equivalents but carry 2.3 m of cable travel against 1.3 – 1.5 m, and weigh approximately 3 kg more to accommodate the larger drum. For full A-N dimensional data and hook reach figures, see the datasheet linked below.
CE & UKCA Marked | DIN 15112 Compliant | ISO 9001 Manufactured | Made in Germany
Yale is a registered trademark of Columbus McKinnon Industrial Products, the global leader in tool suspension and hoisting equipment. This product is CE marked under the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and UKCA marked under the UK Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008, with each unit shipped with an EC Declaration of Conformity. The mechanism is built to DIN 15112, the German industrial standard governing spring-loaded tool suspension equipment, including the automatic drum lock and secondary safety chain anchor requirements. The rope-breakage safety lock is the additional feature unique to the YBA range. Manufactured at the Columbus McKinnon facility in Velbert, Germany under EN ISO 9001 certified processes — the same quality management system applied across the wider Yale, Pfaff-silberblau, Stahl CraneSystems, and Tigrip product lines. In UK workplaces these units are commonly subject to periodic Thorough Examination under PUWER 1998 (and LOLER 1998 where tools are suspended above persons); the inspection duty sits with the end user competent person rather than with the equipment supplier.
More About This Product
The Yale YBA series spring balancer counterbalances hand-held tools at the workstation, holding them weightless at any chosen height. Adjustable spring tension lets the operator set the unit to match the exact tool weight, after which the tool floats — pull it down to use, release it back to the rest position with no operator effort. Capacities run from 9 kg up to 70 kg, with the YBA-L extended-rope variants offering 2.3 m of cable travel against the 1.3 – 1.5 m of the standard models. The YBA is built around the same proven mechanism as the YBF series but adds the feature that distinguishes the range: a rope-breakage safety lock that monitors cable tension and engages instantly if the cable fails, the suspended load breaks free, or the bottom hook gives way, arresting the spring drum to prevent the rope whipping back. That single feature makes the YBA the recommended balancer for workstations near flying sparks, hot metal, sharp edges, or anywhere mechanical damage to the cable is a credible risk.
Suitable Applications
The Yale YBA spring balancer is the recommended choice for workstations where mechanical damage to the cable is a credible risk: welding bays, plasma and oxy-fuel cutting stations, grinding cells, hot metal handling, foundries, sharp-edged sheet metal work, and any environment where flying sparks, swarf, or sharp tooling could compromise a balancer cable. Typical suspended tools include heavy weld guns, pneumatic torque wrenches, plasma cutters, rivet guns, heavy spray heads, and impact wrenches in the 9 kg to 70 kg range. The YBA-L extended-rope variants suit overhead crane bays, gantry workstations, and tall production cells where the suspension point sits well above the operator's working height. For clean assembly environments with no cable damage risk, the lower-cost YBF series is fully suitable; for fixed-tension retraction of lighter tools, see the Yale YFS retractor range.
How to Use the Yale YBA Spring Balancer
- Verify capacity match: Confirm the tool weight falls within the model's rated band. A 25 kg tool needs a YBA-30 (rated 22 – 30 kg), not a YBA-22 (15 – 22 kg) or YBA-40 (30 – 40 kg). Mid-band placement gives the best ergonomic result.
- Mount the balancer securely: Suspend from a structure rated for the Working Load Limit plus an appropriate safety factor. Engage the upper suspension eye and connect the safety chain through the secondary anchor.
- Fit the load-end safety chain: The lower suspension eye accepts a second safety chain that runs alongside the cable, providing a redundant load path in case of rope failure.
- Attach the tool: Connect the tool to the load hook. Ensure the safety latch on the hook fully closes.
- Adjust spring tension: Using the external adjuster, set the spring tension until the tool floats at the desired height with no operator force. The load indicator confirms the current capacity setting.
- Verify the rope-breakage lock: With the tool attached and the spring set, briefly apply a small downward force then release — the tool should hold smoothly at its new position. The lock engages only on tension loss; normal operation is unaffected.
- Operate: Pull the tool down to the workpiece; release to allow the balancer to return the tool to the rest height. The tool will float at any height between fully retracted and fully extended.
- Re-tensioning for a different tool: Engage the manual drum lock before disconnecting the load. Replace the tool, then re-tension using the external adjuster before releasing the drum lock.
Warning:
Yale spring balancers are designed for tool suspension and counterbalancing only. They must not be used to lift, lower, or transport personnel or loads. Never exceed the rated capacity band. Always fit a secondary safety chain at both upper and lower suspension eyes.
Safety Information
- Always inspect the balancer before each use — cable, hooks, safety latches, housing, and load indicator setting.
- Never exceed the rated capacity band stamped on the unit.
- Always fit secondary safety chains at both the upper suspension eye and the lower load eye.
- Verify the rope-breakage safety lock is operational by checking the cable arrests smoothly under load — the lock engages automatically on tension loss.
- Engage the manual drum lock before changing or removing the attached tool.
- Replace the cable immediately if it shows fraying, kinking, surface damage, or strand failure.
- Do not adjust spring tension while the tool is in active use — engage the drum lock, then adjust, then release.
- Workplace operators must establish a Thorough Examination regime under PUWER 1998 (and LOLER 1998 where tools are suspended above persons) appropriate to the duty cycle.
- The internal spring is under high tension — do not attempt to disassemble the spring housing.
Inspection and Maintenance
The YBA is designed for low routine maintenance. The cable should be inspected before each shift for kinks, surface damage, or "barbing" where strands protrude. The rope-breakage safety lock should be verified working as part of any pre-shift check; the manual drum lock should engage and release smoothly. The aluminium die-cast housing requires no servicing but should be inspected for impact damage. Cable replacement is a competent-person task — the cable exchanges through a slot in the body without full disassembly, dramatically reducing service time compared to designs that require strip-down. WOLFF Onsite supplies replacement cables, spare parts, and full Thorough Examination under existing site inspection contracts — contact our service team for arrangements.
Optional Accessories
- Secondary safety chains: Galvanised steel safety chains sized to match each capacity band, for connection through the upper and lower suspension eyes.
- Replacement cable assemblies: Pre-terminated cable assemblies for in-field exchange, sized to match each capacity and standard/L variant.
- Workstation mounting brackets: Jib brackets and overhead rail trolleys for moving balancer position along an assembly line.
- Tool balance rings: Forged steel balance rings sized to keep the suspended tool oriented correctly without twisting the cable.
Downloads
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does the rope-breakage safety lock actually work?
The mechanism continuously monitors cable tension while the tool is suspended. Under normal operation the tool weight keeps the cable in tension; if the cable suddenly goes slack — caused by rope failure, hook breakage, or the load dropping off — an internal lever immediately engages the spring drum and arrests rotation. This prevents the spring releasing its stored energy and whipping the rope back through the housing, which is the typical injury mechanism on conventional balancers when ropes fail.
Q: When should I choose the YBA over the YBF?
The mechanism, housing, and ergonomics are functionally identical. The YBA adds the rope-breakage lock. If the workstation has any risk of mechanical damage to the cable — welding sparks, grinding swarf, sharp tooling, hot surfaces — the YBA is worth the modest price premium. For clean assembly environments where cable damage is not a concern, the YBF is fully suitable and slightly lighter.
Q: Standard or L variant — which do I need?
The L suffix indicates extended cable travel only — the mechanism, capacity, and safety features are identical. Standard YBA gives 1.3 m (YBA-15) or 1.5 m (YBA-22 to YBA-70) of travel; YBA-L gives 2.3 m across the range. Choose Standard where the tool is used at a relatively fixed height; choose L where the suspension point sits well above the bench (typically more than 1.5 m above working height) or where the operator needs to walk the tool to adjacent positions.
Q: What capacity band should I order?
Pick the model where the tool weight falls within the rated band — a 25 kg tool needs a YBA-30 (rated 22 – 30 kg), not a YBA-22 (15 – 22 kg) or YBA-40 (30 – 40 kg). Mid-band placement gives the best ergonomic result; bottom or top of band will work but the tool won't sit as steadily.
Q: How is the cable replaced?
The YBA is designed for in-field cable replacement through a slot in the housing — no full disassembly is required. Engage the manual drum lock, remove the spent cable, feed the replacement through the slot and terminate at the drum. The procedure is documented in the OEM manual linked above. WOLFF Onsite supplies pre-terminated replacement cables matched to each capacity and Standard / L variant.
Q: Does the YBA need LOLER inspection?
Where tools are suspended above persons or as part of a lifting operation, LOLER 1998 applies and Thorough Examination is required at intervals not exceeding 12 months. For tools suspended at workstation level not above persons, PUWER 1998 applies and the inspection regime is set by the operator's risk assessment. UK best practice is to include all spring balancers in the annual Thorough Examination programme. WOLFF Onsite provides LOLER-certified inspection across the Yale balancer range.
