Somers Handling

Hands-free slab lifting

Automatic gravity scissor tongs for slab lifting.

Gravity-actuated, latch-tripped scissor tongs that grip on lifting and release on touchdown. No electrics, no hydraulics, and suited to the hottest and most hostile environments.

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Yellow Lloyds Somers 25-tonne SWL gravity scissor tong photographed at the Somers Wednesbury works.

Gravity scissor tongs are a Somers specialism. In environments where hot metal, grease, dust and radiation all conspire against powered lifting equipment, a mechanical tong with no electrics, no hydraulics, and a small number of wearable pinned joints is the pragmatic answer — simple, reliable, and maintainable by depot teams. Our tong designs are specified by UK primary steel and aluminium producers, iron and steel foundries, and specialist contractors handling hot or hostile slab loads.

Technical capabilities

Standard capabilities below — higher capacities, longer spans and non-standard finishes available on request.

Standards

  • BS EN 13155
  • LOLER 1998
  • CE / UKCA
Typical capabilities — gravity scissor tongs
Safe working load (SWL) 2 t – 40 t
Slab width range 500 mm – 2,200 mm per tong set
Standards BS EN 13155, LOLER CE / UKCA marked.

Industries

Where automatic gravity scissor tongs are specified.

  • Sector
    Steel
  • Sector
    Aluminium
  • Sector
    Foundry

Automatic gravity scissor tongs — frequently asked questions

How does a gravity scissor tong actually work?

The tong's geometry means the load's own weight closes the jaws — the heavier the slab, the tighter the grip. A latch mechanism toggles between 'gripping' and 'released' as the operator sets the tongs down on the slab and lifts. There's no power source and no control — which is exactly what you want in a hot, hostile environment where electrics would degrade quickly.

What wears out, and how quickly?

The jaw contact faces take most of the wear — particularly on hot-line variants. Refractory pad sets are designed as easily-replaced wear parts so the tong body doesn't need rebuilding. Pin-and-bush assemblies in the scissor joint are lubricated and re-greased on a planned maintenance interval.

Can gravity tongs handle mixed slab widths?

Within a limited range, yes — most tong designs have a jaw travel that accommodates around ±300 mm from nominal. Wider variation is better handled by a motorised grab, or by swapping between two tong sets.

Do you supply a matched crane / monorail alongside the tongs?

Often, yes — the tongs, the crane or monorail, and the control scheme are supplied as a matched system when that's the right answer for the customer. Equally, tongs can be supplied as accessory-rated units for an existing overhead crane.

Need automatic gravity scissor tongs engineered to your application?

Send a short description of your load, environment and duty — a Somers engineer will respond within one working day.

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