Buy Lifting Magnets Online in Australia
Lifting Magnet Selection — Quick Reference
Lifting magnets handle ferrous steel plate, billets, and fabricated parts without rigging. Two main types: switchable (turn ON/OFF by handle rotation, fail-safe) and traditional permanent (fixed-force, requires repositioning to release). Selection by load + plate condition (smooth/scaled/rusted/painted).
| Magnet Type | Capacity Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Magswitch Hand Lifter (Single) | 235 kg – 780 kg | Workshop plate handling — engage/release by lever |
| Magswitch Dual Hand Lifter | 235 kg – 1,000 kg | Larger plate, balanced lift, fabrication shops |
| Magswitch MLAY Switchable Series | 600 – 1,000 kg + multi-magnet arrays | Wide load lifting — fabricated frames, structural |
| Magswitch Extender Bar | Variable (paired magnets) | Long plate + structural section lifting |
| Traditional Permanent Lifter | 100 kg – 5,000 kg+ | Fixed-force lifting — must reposition to release |
| Electro-Permanent Magnet | 500 kg – 10,000 kg+ | Heavy industrial — electrical pulse to switch, fail-safe |
| Pneumatic Magnetic Lifter | Variable | Air-operated switching — explosive atmospheres + heavy duty |
Critical de-rating: Rated capacity is for CLEAN, SMOOTH, FLAT mild steel ≥25mm thick at 20°C. Reduce capacity for: scaled/rusted/painted plate (50%+), thinner plate (per spec), stainless/aluminium (DOES NOT lift — non-ferromagnetic), curved surfaces (geometric reduction). ALWAYS use back-up sling as secondary support — magnet alone NEVER for sustained overhead lift. Compliance: AS 4991 lifting devices + AS/NZS 4024 machinery safety. Brands: Magswitch, Eclipse, Walmag. Companion: Magswitch range, lifting equipment, rigging slings.
Magnetic Lifting Equipment
Lifting magnets provide a fast, hands-free way to handle steel plate, billets, and fabricated components without rigging or slings. AIMS stocks two main types: switchable permanent magnets, where lifting force is engaged and released by rotating a handle, and traditional permanent magnetic lifters that are fixed-force and require repositioning to release the load. Both types suit steel fabrication shops, maintenance workshops, and production environments handling ferrous material.
Magswitch Switchable Lifting Magnets
Magswitch is the leading brand in switchable permanent magnetic lifting. Their technology uses a rotating internal magnet array to switch lifting force on and off without electricity or batteries. The range at AIMS includes fixed single and dual hand lifters (235 kg to 780 kg), the MLAY series of switchable lifting magnets (600 kg and 1,000 kg, including multi-magnet array configurations for wider loads), and the Extenda-Lift telescoping arm attachment magnets for reaching into confined or elevated spaces. Magswitch is widely used in steel service centres, fabrication shops, and maintenance operations where precise positioning and quick load release are required.
Austlift & Prolift Permanent Magnetic Lifters
Austlift permanent magnetic lifters are available in a wide WLL range from 100 kg through to 6,000 kg, making them suitable for everything from workshop component positioning to heavy plate lifting on a fabrication floor. Prolift magnetic lifters cover 300 kg to 3,000 kg capacity. Both types use a physical engagement mechanism — rotate the handle to engage or disengage the magnet — and are rated for use on flat and round bar stock. Always verify the WLL rating against the load mass, surface condition, and contact area before use.
Applications
Common applications include steel plate movement and stacking, component positioning during welding and fabrication, loading and unloading flat bar and sheet material, and maintenance handling of steel parts. Lifting magnets require clean, flat, magnetically receptive surfaces for rated performance — air gaps, surface rust, and coatings will reduce effective lifting capacity.
Not sure which magnetic lifter suits your load or environment? Contact our team and we will help you select the right product.
People Also Ask — Lifting Magnets
Q: How does a switchable lifting magnet work?
Switchable permanent lifting magnets — such as the Magswitch range — use a rotating internal magnet array. Turning a handle rotates the array to align or cancel the magnetic field at the contact face, switching the lifting force on or off without electricity. This gives a fail-safe action and allows precise load placement without power dependency.
Q: What materials can a lifting magnet pick up?
Lifting magnets work only on ferromagnetic materials — primarily mild steel. They will not lift stainless steel, aluminium, copper, brass, or non-ferrous materials. Capacity ratings apply to clean, smooth, flat mild steel plate of at least 25 mm thickness; thinner plate, curved surfaces, and scaled, rusted, or painted surfaces all reduce the effective lifting capacity significantly.
Q: How much does surface condition affect a lifting magnet's rated capacity?
Significantly. A magnet rated to its full capacity on clean, flat mild steel over 25 mm thick may lose 50% or more of its rated capacity on scaled, rusted, or painted plate. Curved surfaces reduce capacity further due to reduced contact area. Always de-rate for actual surface condition and test the lift before relying on it.
Q: Can a lifting magnet be the sole means of support during overhead lifting?
No. A backup sling or secondary support must always be used when lifting with magnets — magnets alone should never be relied upon for sustained overhead work. This is a fundamental safe working requirement applicable to all magnetic lifting devices.
Q: What is the difference between Magswitch and traditional permanent magnetic lifters?
Magswitch switchable magnets use a rotating internal array to turn lifting force on and off by handle rotation — allowing load placement and release without power. Traditional permanent magnetic lifters are fixed-force devices that must be physically repositioned to release the load. Magswitch types suit workshop and production environments requiring precise, repeatable placement; traditional lifters suit simpler lifting patterns where release method is less critical.