5.1 FOREWORD

Lifting and pulling machines, also known as jaw winches, are, by their very nature, versatile pieces of equipment and are widely used throughout industry for both permanent applications and temporary or rigging applications. It is impossible in a document of this nature to cover every such application and so advice in the respect of usage is limited to basic principles. It should be noted however that the manufacturers of this type of machine may permit a lower factor of safety (and therefore a higher SWL) when the machine is used for pulling applications as compared to lifting applications. The advice given is aimed solely at lifting applications or applications involving an element of lifting.

The principles laid down for lifting applications may be applied to pulling applications if so desired, although in some cases they may be found to be excessively restrictive.