OZ Lifting HVACR Davit Crane Rooftop Maintenance System

Heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) contractors are frequently required to lift heavy and awkwardly shaped loads to the rooftops of buildings. A Davit Crane Rooftop Maintenance System from OZ Lifting Products is solving material handling problems for small crews with a portable solution that allows them to lift from the building exterior.

Air handling units and condensing kits that provide heating, cooling, and ventilation for multiple spaces, are all stored on building roofs, along with exhaust fans and rooftop ductwork. While this is convenient in that it saves space inside, it is a logistical challenge raising them into position, when elevators and stairways are inaccessible or inappropriate.

OZ Lifting’s fully customized Davit Crane Rooftop Maintenance System is a versatile material handling solution designed to optimize efficiency and safety in HVACR applications. It is possible to choose from various davit crane models, ranging from 500 to 2,500 lbs. in capacity; and four base styles, with different finishes. Other options include manual or electric winch; wire or synthetic rope; plus, accessories. Contractors can already spec a system for their unique requirements, while a seventh davit crane model and fifth non-permanent base will join the family this year.

This Tele-Pro davit crane, with a wall-mounted base, allows the user to lift from the building exterior.

Steve Napieralski, president at OZ Lifting, said: “The skilled labor shortage is a real pain-point right now. Even as we’re speaking to HVACR and plumbing professionals, we can see them planning out their own tailor-made lifting solution in their head. The cost savings, along with productivity and safety gains, are immediately apparent. Rooftop lifting is a problem every one of these guys and gals deals with every day — and we’ve got the solution. Companies can now do more with fewer people, without cutting corners on safety.”

The system is changing operational habits across the sector, with decision makers opting to buy Davit Crane Rooftop Maintenance Systems for their fleets, rather than renting material handling solutions on a job-by-job basis. Portability and tool-free assembly combine with the ability to own one crane with multiple bases, making it easy to move the crane around sites as needed.

All OZ Lifting davit cranes have the same basic features: U.S.-Patented tool-free assembly; corrosion-resistant finish; and adjustable booms, but specific models have added features. The popular Tele-Pro davit crane, for example, is available in 500 lb., 1,200 lb., and 2,500 lb. capacities. Users can telescope the boom in / out under load, which is perfect when putting a safe distance between exterior walls and windows and the lifting path to the roof. Smart latch technology, meanwhile, ensures tool-free assembly, while the corrosion-resistant finish adds protection. Like every davit crane in the catalog, it is individually tested and certified to 125% of rated capacity and made in the USA. Other popular options include the lightweight CompOZite, CompOZite Elite and Alumi-Lite lines.

Napieralski added: “Our Davit Crane Rooftop Maintenance Systems are specifically designed for the material handling requirements of the HVACR industry, which is running smaller crews than ever. The U.S.-Patented quick-connect tool-free setup is a gamechanger; you no longer need a big crew to get the crane lifting. More and more HVACR crews are benefiting from the systems’ portability, tool-free assembly, and small footprint for the tight spaces that are common in this industry.”

A CompOZite davit crane at the center of a Rooftop Maintenance System on top of a building.

In a recent case study on a five-story commercial building, the install crew ran into a familiar access issue. The service elevator was too small for the rooftop unit (RTU), and the stairwell wasn’t a safe or realistic option. The crew installed a Rooftop Maintenance System with an adjustable davit crane. The system allowed them to lift and place the RTU components directly to the roof from the building exterior, working within the limited space. With controlled lifting and minimal setup, the crew completed the install with a smaller team, avoided large crane rental, and reduced the risk of building damage. The result was a faster, more efficient solution to a common jobsite challenge.

• For more information on OZ Lifting Products visit http://www.OZLiftingProducts.com