A close-up of a person's hand holding a red electric vibrating suction cup for tile handling on a white marble tile.

13 Types of Lifting Equipment for Better Material Handling

Material handling in the stone and tiling industry is no small feat. Whether working with heavy stone slabs or delicate but large-format tiles, the process of moving, lifting, and positioning requires precision, strength, and reliable tools. Without the right equipment, workers face safety risks, damaged materials, and reduced efficiency, which can significantly impact a project’s timeline and cost.

At Detroit Diamond Tools, we offer a wide selection of tools and equipment for handlers and installers in the stone and tiling industry to choose from. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the many types of lifting equipment for better material handling, covering everything from lifters to carrying clamps, suction cups, and more.

The Importance of Material Handling in the Stone and Tiling Industry

Handling heavy materials like natural stone, porcelain slabs, and ceramic tiles requires more than just brute strength. Proper material handling ensures that your team can complete their work efficiently and minimize the risk of injury or product damage.

Reliability is key in quality material handling—workers must trust their tools and equipment completely when lifting and moving stone and tile that’s extraordinarily heavy and delicate. Reliable lifting equipment enables professionals in the stone and tiling industry to overcome these challenges. Quality tools reduce manual strain and improve precision, allowing stone and tile fabricators to focus on craftsmanship and customer satisfaction.

Tools and Machines for Lifting and Handling Heavy and Delicate Materials

In the stone and tiling industry, workers and fabricators rely on many different types of lifting equipment for better material handling. Keep reading to learn more about the most common tools and machines the industry uses for the precise and delicate handling of these materials.

1. The Lifter

A lifter is a versatile tool for lifting and moving heavy stone slabs or tiles safely and efficiently. It’s built with strong construction to bear a significant weight while ensuring that the material stays securely in place.

Lifters are indispensable for tasks such as loading and unloading slabs from trucks or positioning tiles in place at job sites. Lifters are essential for handling extremely heavy stones and slabs and are one of the most important pieces of equipment in the stone fabrication and tiling industry.

2. Stone Seam Setter

Stone seam setters are an invaluable tool for achieving seamless surfaces. These tools align and level two stone slabs to create invisible seams.

They use suction cups or clamps to hold stone pieces in place, ensuring precise adjustments. They’re most common in countertop fabrication, as stone seam setters help craftsmen deliver flawless results, effortlessly hiding any joint lines between slabs.

3. Horizontal Stone Lifting Clamp

Horizontal stone lifting clamps are ideal for securely gripping stone slabs along their horizontal edges. They often feature rubber-lined grips to minimize surface damage while maintaining durability and strength.

These clamps allow stoneworkers to transport slabs horizontally, preventing unnecessary stress that could lead to cracking or chipping. Perfect for large granite or quartz slabs, this clamp is especially useful for maneuvering materials in tight spaces.

4. Stone Carrying Clamps

When manual handling is unavoidable or when you need to handle smaller and more manageable stones and slabs, stone carrying clamps make the process far safer and more efficient.

These clamps feature convenient grip handles and rubber-lined edges to securely carry stone slabs upright, reducing the risk of slipping or injury. Stone carrying clamps also allow teams to share the weight equally, ensuring ergonomic safety for workers and minimizing material damage.

A group of three workers use a magnetic vacuum device to lift a large square block of pavement into an open space.

5. Vacuum Lifter

A vacuum lifter is one of the most crucial and integral tools for stone fabrication and large slab handling. Vacuum lifters offer unmatched lifting precision for smooth or polished surfaces.

These lifters use vacuum-powered suction to securely hold stone slabs without leaving marks or scratches. Ideal for large countertops and tiling installations, these tools excel in handling fragile yet heavy materials with care.

6. Stealth Seamers

Stealth seamers are tools for aligning, leveling, and gluing stone seams seamlessly. They often come with vacuum-powered suction cups and adjustable levers for fine-tuning alignment. These tools help maintain an even surface and consistent quality, especially for high-end projects involving luxury materials like marble.

7. Carry Vise

A carry vise is a compact yet heavy-duty tool for small or medium-sized slabs of natural stone or quartz. Offering a firm grip with padded handles, carry vises allow workers to move materials easily without putting undue strain on their bodies. For workshops that handle smaller-scale projects, carry vises are the perfect solution for quick, hassle-free material handling.

8. Slab Lifter

Another common tool in the large stone handling and fabrication industry is the slab lifter. Slab lifters are hook attachments for cranes and other lifting equipment that vertically grip onto heavy stone or quartz slabs.

With advanced gripping mechanisms and rugged construction, these machines allow for maximum control and precision during lifting, minimizing damage risks. Perfect for warehouses, fabrication shops, and installation sites, slab lifters are an industry staple.

9. Rock Grapple Lifter

Rock grapple lifters are typically used for tricky or irregularly shaped stones rather than smooth and flat surfaces on slabs and tiles. Their strong and adjustable gripping arms ensure they can securely handle even the roughest stones, whether for landscaping, monuments, or construction applications. For businesses that handle unique or custom stonework, a rock grapple lifter is a critical investment.

10. Lifting Carts

Lifting carts combine mobility with functionality. These carts come with hydraulic or mechanical lifting mechanisms to raise heavy stone or tile slabs to a manageable height for installation. By reducing the need for excessive bending or reaching, lifting carts enhances both worker safety and productivity, especially in large-scale installations.

11. Suction Cups

Suction cups are lightweight yet powerful tools for lifting and positioning smooth-surfaced materials like tiles. These simple tools use air pressure to adhere securely to the surface, making them ideal for handling fragile yet heavy materials like floor tiles or windowpanes.

Naturally, these cups are invaluable tools in the tiling industry and are common pieces of equipment for tiling professionals and handlers. High-quality suction cups ensure proper grip, allowing for precise placement without risking damage.

A close-up of a three-pronged suction cup device for moving tiles. The device is planted on a large grey floor tile.

12. Large Format Tile Tool

The trend toward large-format tiles poses unique challenges for traditional handling methods. Large format tile tools help transport and install these oversized materials safely and efficiently. This equipment often comes with support frames and suction mechanisms, ensuring tiles remain intact during handling and placement.

13. Sink Hole Saver

Rounding off the list is the sink hole saver, which is essential for protecting delicate or thin stone pieces with pre-cut sink or faucet holes. This tool prevents stress fractures during transportation or installation, saving you from costly material losses. With a sink hole saver, you can confidently handle delicate slabs, knowing they have full and reliable support.

Find Reliable Lifting Equipment at Detroit Diamond Tools

When it comes to handling stone and tile materials, using the right lifting equipment can make all the difference in safety, efficiency, and precision. As a material handling equipment supplier, Detroit Diamond Tools has all these tools and machines in its inventory and more.

Whatever equipment, apparatus, or machine you need for the safe, delicate, and reliable handling of materials, we likely have it in our extensive collection. View our selection online or contact our staff if you need help finding the right tool.