FOR STEEL FABRICATORS & INDUSTRIAL LIFTERS

Manual Permanent
Lifting Magnets

No power. No battery. No downtime. Rated capacities from 200 lb to 4,400 lb — engineered in the USA and proof-tested to 3.5× capacity per ASME BTH-1.

› More torch-on time — off-load parts as fast as your plasma or laser cuts them

› Fewer touches per lift — from raw stock to finished weldment

› ASME-certified safety — audit-ready documentation on every unit

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Permadur manual permanent lifting magnet on steel plate

WHY MANUAL

Built for Where Power Isn’t.

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No Power Required

A single lever engages a permanent magnetic field — no electrical hookups, no batteries to charge, no risk of dropping a load during a power interruption. Ideal for field service, remote jobsites, and shops where every plug counts.

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Fail-Safe by Design

Because the magnetic field is generated by permanent magnets — not electricity — the load stays attached even if the crane loses power. Every Permadur manual magnet is proof-tested to 3.5× rated capacity per ASME BTH-1 standards.

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Lowest Total Cost

No batteries to replace. No control boxes to service. No wiring to inspect. Manual magnets are a one-time investment that lasts 20+ years with routine maintenance — and Permadur services and recertifies every unit we build.

SHOP THE LINEUP

Choose Your Lift Capacity

Every model below is stocked, proof-tested, and ships ready to work. Select a magnet by rated capacity, or contact us if you’re not sure which unit fits your load.

COMPARE

Manual, Electro, or Battery —
Which Magnet Fits Your Operation?

The best magnet for your shop depends on how often you lift, where you lift, and what happens if power fails. Here’s how the three families stack up.

FEATURE

Power source

Fail-safe on power loss

Best for

Capacity range

Setup time

Cycle limit

Best surface

Ongoing cost

MANUAL

None — mechanical

✓ Load stays engaged

Field, shop, low-cycle

200 – 4,400 lb

Instant

Unlimited

Clean, flat steel

Minimal

ELECTRO

110V / 220V AC

✓ Load stays engaged

High-cycle production

500 – 20,000+ lb

Wiring / control box

Duty-cycle rated

Clean steel, thin OK

Electricity + service

BATTERY

Rechargeable Li-ion

✓ Load stays engaged

Mobile, remote work

500 – 10,000 lb

Instant (charged)

Battery run-time

Clean steel

Battery replacement

Explore Manual Magnets · Explore Electro Magnets · Talk to an Engineer

APPLICATIONS

What Permadur Manual Magnets Lift

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Round Bar & Pipe

Curved shoe design lifts round stock from 1″ to 12″ diameter without slings.

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Flat Plate & Sheet

Rated capacity holds full at 3/8″ thickness and above on clean, low-carbon steel.

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Structural Sections

Engages flat surfaces of I-beams, channels, and angle iron in fab and erection.

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Die & Mold Handling

Precision engagement for machine shop and tool-and-die work.

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Field Service

Portable enough for millwright, ironworker, and repair crews on any site.

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Fabrication Staging

Move raw stock into position and off the burn table without slings or chain.

Not Sure Which Magnet Fits Your Load?

Send us your material type, plate thickness, and lift weight — we’ll recommend the exact model within one business day. No sales pitch, just an engineered answer.

Talk to an Engineer

FREQUENTLY ASKED

Answers Before You Buy

What's the difference between a manual and an electro lifting magnet?

A manual magnet uses permanent magnets and a lever to engage and release the load — no electricity is required, and the load can’t fall if power is lost. An electro magnet uses electricity to activate the magnetic field, allowing for faster cycling and higher capacities, but requires wiring or a battery. Manual magnets are ideal for low-cycle, portable, or field use. Electro magnets are the standard for production lines.

How is rated capacity calculated? Do I need a safety factor?

All Permadur manual magnets are proof-tested to 3.5× their rated working load in accordance with ASME BTH-1. The rated capacity assumes a clean, flat, low-carbon steel surface with material thickness at or above the minimum listed on the spec sheet. Thinner material, curved surfaces, air gaps, coatings, and non-ferrous inclusions reduce actual holding force. Always specify a magnet rated for at least 2× your actual load weight.

Are Permadur magnets ASME certified?

Yes. Every Permadur lifting magnet is designed, manufactured, and documented to meet or exceed ASME BTH-1 (Design of Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices) and ASME B30.20 (Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices) standards. Certificates ship with every unit and are available for download in our Resource Center.

What surface conditions affect lift capacity?

Any air gap between the magnet and the load reduces holding force. Rust, paint, mill scale, dirt, curvature, and thin material all count as air gaps. Rule of thumb: 1/32″ of paint or coating can reduce capacity by 15–20%. Always de-rate for actual field conditions and never lift at the magnet’s maximum rating without a clean, flat interface.

Do you offer recertification and repair?

Yes. Permadur provides in-house inspection, load testing, magnet rebuilds, and ASME recertification for every magnet we manufacture — even units that are 20+ years old. Send us the model number and we’ll quote turnaround and cost. Visit our Service & Repair page to start.

How do I choose the right rated capacity?

Always specify a magnet with a rated capacity at least 2× the actual load weight, and de-rate further for surface condition, material thickness, and shape. When in doubt, send us your part specs — we’ll recommend the right model.

EXPLORE MORE

Manual Permanent
Lifting Magnets