Renfroe TL Installation guide

WARNING:
Before putting tool in service,
take to your immediate
supervisor.
Model TL/A Clamp
Application, Operation and Maintenance Manual
OM 211-TL/A
RENFROE

This Operator’s Manual covers the Application, Operation
and Maintenance of this RENFROE product. Operator’s
Manuals for other current RENFROE products are available
upon request. Direct Requests to J.C. Renfroe & Sons, Inc.,
Jacksonville, Florida 32201.
Operators
Manual
J.C. RENFROE & SONS,
INCORPORATED
of Jacksonville, Florida, has
been an international leader
in the manufacture and mar-
keting of Lifting Clamps for
over fifty years. RENFROE
products are manufactured
in Jacksonville, Florida. A
worldwide network of stock-
ing distributors provides a
readily available source of
supply and service.
J.C. RENFROE & SONS,
INCORPORATED
Jacksonville, Florida 32201
Telephone: [phone]
Toll Free: 1-800-874-8454
Fax: [phone]
www.jcrenfroe.com
Copyright © 2001 J.C. Renfroe & Sons, Inc.

THIS PUBLICATION SUPERSEDES ALL
PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AND/OR DISTRIBUTED
INFORMATION BY MANUFACTURER AND/OR ITS
DISTRIBUTORS WITH RESPECT TO APPLICABLE
RENFROE PRODUCTS AND SUBJECT MATTER
DESCRIBED OR CONTAINED HEREIN.
NOTICE OF EXCLUSION OF WARRANTY
RENFROE HAS HEREIN SET FORTH IN
CONSPICUOUS LANGUAGE AN EXCLUSION OF
ANY WARRANTY EITHER EXPRESSED OR
IMPLIED, WHICH IS NOT SPECIFICALLY AND
PARTICULARLY CONTAINED HEREIN. PLEASE
REFER TO THAT STATEMENT FOR
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF
PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED BY J.C. RENFROE &
SONS, INC.
WARNING:
Prior to selection, operation and/or maintenance
of RENFROE products, read and understand the infor-
mation provided in this manual.
The understanding and use of the Definitions are
important in determining the limitations and proper appli-
cation of RENFROE products.
Failure to review and utilize recommended appli-
cations, operation and maintenance instructions may
result in serious injury to operator and others.

OPERATING AIDS
1. DO read and understand the Operators Manual before using the clamp
2. DO Consult Operator’s Manual or RENFROE when in doubt.
3. DON’T Lift over workmen DON’T lift over Safety Areas or personnel.
4. Do attend a factory training class for establishing proper use of Renfroe
Products.
5. DO Lock clamp closed before lifting load. DON’T lift with lock in open or
“Lock Open” position.
6. DON’T Use a connection that may release the clamp.
7. DON’T attach clamp directly to crane hook. DO use a flexible connection
between crane and clamp shackle. DON’T use heavy flexible connection.
8. DO use correct clamp for job. DON’T use large capacity clamps to lift light
loads.
9. DO Use an adequate number of clamps to balance load. DON’T lift loads
that are not balanced.
10. DO Use clamps within their rated capacity. DON’T overload clamps
11. DO Inspect clamp before each lift, follow inspection and maintenance in-
structions outlined in this manual and use RENFROE replacement parts to
assure proper operation of the clamp
12. DON’T Use clamp that has been overloaded. DO refer to pre-lift inspection
in Operators Manual
13. DON’T Side load with a straight shackle clamp. DON’T lift from side with
vertical clamp
14. DON’T Misuse. DON’T lift plate from bottom of plate stack.
15. DON’T Rush. DON’T lift more than one plate at a time with a vertical clamp.
16. DON’T Improvise. Always use correct clamp for job. DON’T lift plate hori-
zontally with a vertical lift only clamp.
17. DON’T Alter clamp. DON’T grind, weld or modify the clamp in any manner.

DEFINITIONS
VERTICAL LIFT: The lifting of a single
plate or member in which the lifting
force exerted by the rigging is directly
above and in line with the lifting shackle
as shown in the illustration below.
VERTICAL TURN/LIFT: A vertical turn/
lift clamp is a vertical lifting clamp spe-
cifically intended to turn a single plate or
member thru a ninety degree (90°) arc
and back to vertical thru the same
ninety degree (90°) arc or from horizon-
tal to vertical to horizontal thru a one
hundred and eighty degree (180°) arc.
Refer to Application Section of specific
Turn/Lift clamps for further detail. Dur-
ing the turning operation the edge of the
plate opposite the edge to which the
clamp is attached should always be in
contact with a supporting surface such
as a factory floor and the load on the
clamp not exceed one half rated capac-
ity of clamp—refer to illustrations shown
below.
HORIZONTAL LIFT: Clamps (used in
pairs or multiples) are attached to the
side edges of a plate or bundle of
plates positioned horizontally to the
floor level. The rigging attached to
clamps is generally multi-legged slings
with the connecting point of the slings
being approximately centered between
the distance separating the clamps.
Refer to illustrations shown below.
WARNING: The capacity of all hori-
zontal clamps is based on a sling
angle of sixty degrees (60°). See
illustration below. Sling angles less
than sixty degrees (60°) increase the
load exerted on the clamps, Never
exceed the rated capacity of a single
clamp.
STEEL PLATES: Unless otherwise
specified, lifting clamps are manufac-
tured to handle hot-rolled steel plates
whose Brinell Hardness does not ex-
ceed 300. WARNING: Do not lift
plates with coatings or mill scale
that prevent the gripping surfaces of
the clamp from making positive con-
tact with the base metal.
For applications not covered by the
above information, secure written rec-
ommendations from RENFROE.
FINISHED AND POLISHED PLATES:
Steel plates in this category have other
than hot-rolled surfaces such as
stainless steel, etc., are generally han-
dled using non-marring clamps incor-
porating smooth gripping surfaces.
WARNING: For applications using
clamps with serrated gripping sur-

faces on finished or polished plates,
secure written recommendations
from RENFROE.
STRUCTURAL MEMBERS—
FABRICATED SECTIONS: Unless
otherwise specified, clamps described
as capable of handling structural mem-
bers and fabricated sections are limited
to hot-rolled steel whose Brinell Hard-
ness does not exceed 300. WARN-
ING: For applications not covered
by the above information, secure
written recommendations from
RENFROE.
RATED CAPACITY: The rated capac-
ity of a RENFROE product is based on
the product being in “new or as new”
condition and represents the maximum
load the product is to be subjected to
when utilized in the manner described
in this manual. Wear, misuse, abuse
and other factors relating to usage may
reduce the rated capacity. Shock load-
ing and the factors listed must be taken
into consideration when selecting a
RENFROE product for a given applica-
tion.
PLATE THICKNESS: The minimum
and maximum plate thickness a clamp
specified for handling plates is capable
of lifting. WARNING: Never use a
clamp for lifting a plate where the
plate thickness is less than or
greater than the minimum and maxi-
mum stenciled on the clamp.
JAW OPENING: The minimum and
maximum thickness of a member of
clamp specified as having a JAW
OPENING is capable of handling.
WARNING: Never use a clamp on a
member whose thickness is less
than or greater than the range of jaw
opening stenciled on the clamp.
OPERATING TEMPERATURES:
Unless specified under the Application
Section of the individual model, the
approved operating temperature of
RENFROE clamps is from zero de-
grees Fahrenheit (-18 Celsius) to a
maximum of 200 degrees Fahrenheit
(+93 degrees Celsius). The minimum
and maximum temperatures apply to
both ambient and the material being
handled by the clamp. WARNING:
Secure written authorization from
RENFROE before using clamps in
temperatures other than shown.
“HOT LIFTS”: The Model R and S
clamps are available in modifications
that are capable of making lifts where
the temperatures of the member being
lifted exceeds 200 degrees Fahrenheit
(+93 degrees Celsius). Depending on
conditions a lift may exceed 1000 de-
grees Fahrenheit (538 degrees Cel-
sius). The exact application and tem-
peratures of the plates to be handled
are critical in selecting the proper
model. WARNING: Secure written
instructions from RENFROE for all
hot lift applications.
LOCKING CLAMPS: Locking clamps
are divided into the categories listed
below. With the exception of the
“Locking Wedge” and “Locking Screw”
type the purpose of the locks are to
facilitate the attaching and removing of
the clamp from the member being han-
dled.
“LOCK CLOSED” - an overcenter
spring loaded mechanism in which the
spring exerts a force on the gripping
cam when the lock handle is moved to
the “Lock Closed” position. When the

handle is moved to unlocked position
the force exerted by the spring is re-
laxed and the gripping cam may be
retracted by pushing the lifting shackle
into body of clamp. Refer to the Op-
eration Section of specific models of
“Lock Closed” clamps for additional
details. Typical “Lock Closed” clamps
are Models DG, FR and M.
“LOCK OPEN ONLY” - normally used
on “Hot Lift” clamps and consists of a
manually operated “Lock Stop Pin” that
is inserted when gripping cam of clamp
is retracted and removed when clamp
is positioned on the plate. Tag line
may be used to permit operator to re-
move pin from a greater distance from
clamp. Refer to the Operation Section
of specific model of “Lock Open Only”
clamps for additional details. Typical
“Lock Open Only” clamp is the Model
RO.
“LOCK CLOSED-LOCK OPEN” - an
over-center spring loaded mechanism
in which the spring exerts a force on
the gripping cam when the lock handle
is moved to the “Lock Closed” position.
When the handle is moved to the “Lock
Open” the gripping cam is maintained
in the retracted position for ease in in-
stalling the clamp on a plate or mem-
ber. The Model FRD contains individ-
ual “Lock Open” and “Lock Closed”
mechanisms that must be operated
separately. Refer to the Operation
Section of specific models of the “Lock
Open-Lock Closed” clamps for addi-
tional details. Typical “Lock Open-
Lock Closed” clamps are Models FRD,
R, S, SD, SEA, SX, TL, TLA and the J-
Series.
“LOCKING WEDGE” - is a fluted steel
wedge that is driven in place with a
hammer. The body of the wedge is
positioned in a slot in the clamp body
with the fluted edges contacting the
member to which the clamp is being
attached. Refer to Operation Section
of specific models of the “Locking
Wedge” clamps for additional details.
Typical “Locking Wedge” clamps are
Model A1, B1, B2 and PB.
”LOCKING SCREW” - “Lock Screw”
clamps depend on manually adjusting
a screw to hold the gripping surface in
place for lifting and removing the clamp
from member being lifted. Refer to
Operation Section of a specific model
of “Locking Screw” clamps for addi-
tional details. Typical “Locking Screw”
clamps are Models AC, ACP, NM, PC,
SCP and SCPA.
NON-LOCKING: “Non-Locking”
clamps have no mechanisms to aid in
attaching or removing clamp from
member being lifted. It is necessary to
have position of clamp maintained on
the member being lifted until a properly
applied force is exerted to the lifting
shackle. Refer to Operation Section of
specific models of the “Non-Locking”
clamps for additional details. Typical
“Non-Locking” clamps are Model AST,
ASTL, BD, HR, HDR and WHSR.
WARNING: A pointing out and notice
of danger. The purpose of a
“WARNING” is to apprise the operator
and all other affected persons of the
existence of danger of which he should
be but may not be aware and to enable
the operator to protect himself and oth-
ers where applicable against such dan-
ger. An attempt is made herein to
warn against reasonable and reasona-
bly foreseeable danger in the proper
use and possible reasonable misuse of
RENFROE products described in this
manual.

DESIGNATED PERSON — A person
selected by the employer or the em-
ployer’s representative as being com-
petent to perform those specific duties.
QUALIFIED PERSON — A person
who, by possession of a recognized
degree in an applicable field or certifi-
cate of professional standing, or who,
by extensive knowledge, training, and
experience, has successfully demon-
strated the ability to solve problems
relating to the subject matter at hand.

MODEL TLA
VERTICAL LIFTING LOCKING
Model TLA: Auxiliary Lock
MODEL TL
VERTICAL LIFTING LOCKING
Model TL: Locking
Application TL/TLA
The model “TLA” is a vertical lifting clamp Incorporating a “Lock Open”
and a “Lock Closed” feature, and an auxiliary lock. The clamp is recom-
mended for turning of a single steel plate from horizontal to vertical to
horizontal through a hundred and eighty degree arc. Refer to Illustra-
tion A. The auxiliary lock prevents the lock handle from moving from
the “Lock Closed” position until the auxiliary lock button is manually
depressed. The “Lock Open”, “Lock Closed” feature facilitates attach-
ing and removing the clamp from the plate. Refer to Definition Pages for
explanation of “Lock Open”, “Lock Closed” clamp.
The Model “TL” is identical to the model “TLA” except that it does not
contain the auxiliary lock. The model “TL” is capable of turning a plate
from horizontal to vertical and back through the same ninety degree arc.
Refer to Illustration B.