Safety Clamps VL-BC Operating instructions

Safety Clamps, Inc.
“Big Bite” Lifting Clamps
Operation, Maintenance, and
Repair Manual
VL-BC Model Clamp
VBC Model Clamp
Excludes all other
VL Series Clamps
Warning
Prior to operating your Safety Clamp, please
ensure that All operators read and understand this
manual.
Effective January 1, 2021
This manual supersedes all previous VL-BC and VBC manuals.

Serial # _______________________
Model ________________________
Maximum Rated
Capacity in Tons ________________
Jaw Opening ___________________
Safety Clamps, Inc.
Repair Service Center
♦Call 1-800-456-2809 for a Return Authorization
Νumber.
♦You will receive a written quote the same day we
receive your Safety Clamp.
♦Your Safety Clamp will be repaired, tested, recertied,
painted, and shipped within 24 hours of authorization.
♦We also perform quarterly, semiannual, and annual
inspections and recertications.
♦It’s that easy!
Call 1-800-456-2809 for more details!

Safety Clamps, Inc. VL-BC, VBC Models
1
GENERAL INFORMATION
1. Always choose the proper clamp and rated capacity for the
material to be lifted.
2. The VL-BC model and VBC model Safety Clampsare
designed for lifting and stacking of beams and structural
shapes.
3. The VL-BC and VBC modelsare capable of lifting,
transferring, and stacking of steel beams in the “H” position
when lifting eye is over the web and between the anges
(Fig. 2).
4. The VL-BC model incorporates “lock open” and “lock close”
features. The VBC model is a non-locking clamp.
5. Never use the VL-BC model or VBC model to lift plate
material. The VL-BC model and VBC model are designed to
lift beam and channel.
6. Make sure that the load to be lifted is properly balanced.
7. Visual inspections should be conducted before and after
each use. Monthly inspections should be conducted by
disassembling the clamp and thoroughly checking each part.
8. Always store the model VL-BC clamp in the “lock open”
position.

Parts Numbers for 1 ton Model VL-BC and Model VBC:
Parts Numbers for 2 and 4 ton Model VL-BC and Model VBC:
Figure 1
Safety Clamps, Inc. VL-BC, VBC Models
2

Safety Clamps, Inc. VL-BC, VBC Models
3
WARNING
1. The VL-BC and VBC modelsshould not be used to handle
material with temperatures below 0o F or above 225o F. These
temperature restrictions apply to both the ambient temperature
and the temperature of the material to be lifted.
2. Do not use clamps on materials with a hardness in excess
of 450 Brinell.
3. Do not lift material with mill scale, grease, or any other
coatings that may prevent gripping surface from making solid
contact with plate.
4. Do not lift more than one beam or structure at a time.
5. Never exceed ten degrees (100) side loading with a VL-BC
model or VBC model clamp (Fig. 3).
6. Never lift or transfer material over or near people.
7. For Model VL-BC, never lift material with the handle in the
“open” position (Fig. 5).
8. Always use a sling to lift the clamp. Always position clamps in
line with the sling (Fig. 4).
9. Never use an open-end hook to lift the clamp.
10. If a clamp has been overloaded or damaged in any way, take
the clamp out of service until proper repairs and/or testing has
been completed (see “Monthly Inspection” items 2 and 3 for
description of overload symptoms).

Safety Clamps, Inc. VL-BC, VBC Models
4
BEFORE USE INSPECTION
1. All Safety Clamps should be inspected regularly for signs of
wear and/or damage.
2. Be sure the clamp to be used is the proper clamp for the job.
Check the rated capacity and jaw opening stenciled on the
clamp. Both should equal or exceed the requirements of the
load to be lifted.
3. Inspect gripping cams [SC-50 or SC-42, Fig. 1] and gripping
pad [SC-70, Fig. 1] for wear and/or damage. Make sure
gripping surfaces are sharp and clean.
4. Inspect working parts and joints. Lubricate these regularly and
make sure they move freely.
5. Inspect body, jaw opening, and lifting shackle for deformation,
fractures, or any other damage.
6. For model VL-BC, inspect lock spring (SC-61, Fig. 1) for
tension. To do this, lock the clamp in the closed position and
push on the lifting shackle. There should be strong resistance
to your pressure on the lifting shackle.
7. Make sure that all roll pins are securely in place.
8. Never use a clamp in need of repair.
9. If damage is identied or suspected, Safety Clamps, Inc. will
inspect and repair your Safety Clamp for a nominal charge.

Figure 2
Figure 3: Never exceed ten degrees (100) side loading with a
VL-BC model or VBC model clamp.
Safety Clamps, Inc. VL-BC, VBC Models
5

MONTHLY INSPECTION
Safety Clamps, Inc. recommends that all of its clamps be
disassembled and thoroughly inspected at least once per month in ac-
cordance with the following procedures:
1. When disassembling a clamp, clearly label each part so that
the clamp can be properly reassembled. Disassembly
instructions are provided in the “Maintenance and Repair”
section of this manual.
2. After disassembly, check for body deformation, fractures, and/
or any other signs of damage in the body and/or parts. Check
all drilled holes and shackle for roundness. Any elongation of
holes, shackle, and/or a stretched jaw opening, is an indication
that the clamp has been overloaded and should not be used.
3. Check pins and body bolts to ensure they are straight. Make
sure they are not worn and/or damaged.
4. Inspect gripping cams (SC-50 or SC-42, Fig. 1) and gripping
pad (SC-70, Fig. 1). Make sure they are sharp and clean. Do
not attempt to sharpen these yourself. If gripping surfaces are
worn and/or damaged, replace them with genuine Safety
Clamps' parts.
5. All parts should be cleaned and free of dirt and debris.
WARNING
When replacing parts, use only genuine Safety Clamps' parts.
6. After reassembling the clamp, ensure all roll pins are securely
in place, then lubricate all joints and make sure the clamp
works freely and properly.
Safety Clamps, Inc. VL-BC, VBC Models
6

Remember, never use a clamp in need of repair. If in doubt about the
condition of your clamp, Safety Clamps, Inc. will inspect and repair
your Safety Clamp for a nominal charge.
Figure 4:
Safety Clamps, Inc. VL-BC, VBC Models
7

Figure 5 Figure 6
HOW TO USE THE VL-BC MODEL and
VBC MODEL SAFETY CLAMPS
1. Prior to use inspect the clamp in accordance with procedures
provided under the section titled "Before Use Inspection" in this
manual.
2. For the VL-BC model, open the clamp by releasing the lock handle
down (A, Fig. 5), and pushing shackle (B) down until the lock
engages and the gripping cams (C) are in the raised position clear
of the jaw opening.
3. For the VBC model, open the clamp by pushing down the shackle
(B) until the gripping cams (C) are in the raised position clear of the
jaw opening. Hold the clamp in this position until clamp is loaded
onto the material.
4. Place the jaw of the clamp fully onto the material with the leaving
1/8" to 1/4" clearance between the material and the back of the jaw.
5. Make sure the clamp is positioned so the gripping surfaces are in
full contact with the material. Center the clamp so the load is
balanced when lifted.
Safety Clamps, Inc. VL-BC, VBC Models
8

Safety Clamps, Inc. VL-BC, VBC Models
9
6. When using more than one clamp to lift material, make sure
clamps are positioned to share equal loads. Place each clamp
on a straight line with the attached sling (Fig. 4).
7. For the VL-BC model secure the clamp in the “locked closed”
position. Do this by raising the lock handle (A, Fig. 6) until it is
positioned against the stop (D) and pulling the shackle (B) up.
This will rotate the gripping cams (C) into the jaw in the locked
position against the material to be lifted.
8. For the VCB model, pull the shackle (B) up until the gripping
cams (C) rotate and engage the material to be lifted and the
gripping pad is fully engaged on the material. Maintain this
position until the load is lifted.
9. The clamp and material are now ready for transfer.
10. Upon reaching the material's destination, lower the clamp and
material to a secure position until tension is relieved on the
clamp.
11. Repeat the process for opening the clamp. This allows the
operator to remove the clamp from the material without
damaging the gripping teeth.
WARNING
•Never lift material with the handle in the “open” position (Fig. 5).
•Always use a sling to lift the clamp.
•Never use an open-end hook to lift the clamp.
•The VL-BC and VBC models should not be used to handle material with
temperatures below 0o F or above 225o F. These temperature
restrictions apply to both the ambient temperature and the temperature
of the material to be lifted.
•Do not use clamps on materials with a hardness in excess of 450 Brinell.
•Do not lift material with mill scale, grease, or any other coatings that may
prevent gripping surface from making solid contact with plate.
WARNING

•Do not lift more than one beam or structure at a time.
•Never exceed ten degrees (10o) side loading with a VL-BC model clamp
(Fig. 3).
•Never lift or transfer material over or near people.
•For model VL-BC, never lift material with the handle in the “open”
position (Fig. 5).
•Always use a sling to lift the clamp. Always position clamps in line with
the sling (Fig. 4).
•Never use an open-end hook to lift the clamp.
•If a clamp has been overloaded or damaged in any way, take the clamp
out of service until proper repairs and/or testing has been completed
(see “Monthly Inspection” items 2 and 3 for description of overload
symptoms).
DISASSEMBLY AND REPAIR
Safety Clamps should always be inspected and operated in accor-dance
with the appropriate section of this manual. If the clamp is sus-pected of
being damaged during operation, or evidence of wear and/or damage is
found during inspection, the clamp may be disassembled and repaired
as follows:
DISASSEMBLY
1. When disassembling a clamp for inspection or repair, label each part
so the clamp can be reassembled properly.
Safety Clamps, Inc. VL-BC, VBC Models
10

Safety Clamps, Inc. VL-BC, VBC Models
11
DISASSEMBLY
2. To disassemble the model VL-BC and model VBC Safety Clamp:
a) Remove roll pins from the SC-54 pin and SC-37 pin (Fig. 1), and
remove the SC-54 and SC-37 pins from the body.
b) For the VL-BC model, remove the roll pins from the lock
assembly SC-65 (Fig. 1). Pull the handle out and remove the
lock (SC-65) and spring (SC-61, Fig. 1).
c) For the model VL-BC and model VBC with a 1 ton rated lift
capacity, remove the SC-35 pin and SC-50 gripping cam
assembly. For the 2 ton and 4 ton rated lift capacities, remove
the SC-35 pin, SC-44 pin, and SC-42 gripping cams.
d) Grip the lifting shackle SC-10 (Fig. 1) and pull inside assembly
out the back of the clamp.
e) Remove the remaining pins from the inside assembly and
separate the remaining parts.
REPAIR
1. Clean all parts to ensure they are free of dirt, and excess or gummed
lubricants.
2. Inspect the clamp components in accordance with instructions
contained under the "Monthly Inspections" section of this manual.
WARNING
•Do not use any blasting or heating method to clean parts.

Safety Clamps, Inc. VL-BC, VBC Models
3. If damaged components are found -
DO NOT
•Fix, straighten, or heat treat any part of a Safety Clamp.
•Modify, weld, or change the clamp body or parts in any way.
Do
•Replace any worn and/or damaged parts with genuine
Safety Clamps parts.
•If in doubt about the condition of your clamp, Safety
Clamps, Inc. will inspect and repair your Safety Clamp
for a nominal charge.
WARNING
Safety Clamps, Inc. uses materials which are of strength and
hardness in excess of those used by many competitor clamp
manufacturers. Using parts other than those provided by Safety
Clamps, Inc. could cause the clamp to operate improperly, or
reduce the strength of the clamp to below the clamps specied
operating limits.
ASSEMBLY
To reassemble the VL-BC model and VBC model Safety Clamp:
1. Refer to the clamp diagram (Fig. 1) and reverse the
disassembly process described on the previous pages.
2. Check that all roll pins are securely in place.
3. Lubricate all moving parts.
4. Make sure the clamp functions properly and that parts move
freely without binding.
12

Notes

“Big Bite” Lifting Clamps by
Safety Clamps, Inc.
Established 1962
Call, Fax, or E-mail Us Today!
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Toll Free: 800-456-2809
Toll Free: 800-456-2809
E-mail: [email protected]
Safety Clamps, Inc.
233 Santa Barbara Ave.
Jacksonville, FL 32254
Effective January 1, 2021
This manual supersedes all previous VL-BC and VBC manuals.