Load Nuts

Date: 09.05.23

Screw type vehicle column lifters have two types of nuts fitted. The load nut and safety nut serve different functions.

The load nut is the primary nut that is responsible for carrying the load of the column lifter. It is typically located at the bottom of the lifting column, and it engages with the lead screw to move the lifting platform up and down. The load nut is designed to withstand the weight of the load being lifted, and it is usually made of a durable material such as steel or bronze.

The safety nut, on the other hand, is a backup nut that is designed to engage with the lead screw in case the load nut fails or becomes disengaged. The safety nut is located below the load nut, and it is designed to prevent the lifting platform from dropping in case of a failure of the load nut. The safety nut is usually made of a softer material such as nylon or Delrin, which allows it to engage with the lead screw without damaging it.
In summary, the load nut is responsible for carrying the load of the column lifter, while the safety nut serves as a backup mechanism to prevent the lifting platform from dropping in case of a failure of the load nut.

Both nuts are important components of a column lifter, and they work together to ensure safe and reliable lifting operations.

When one of our engineers arrived on this site the load nut had failed and been by-passed, the column lifter was still being used, working solely on the safety nut.

If the safety nut had failed, the lifting platform may drop unexpectedly.
This could result in damage to the load being lifted or potential injury to any persons in the vicinity.