The choice of a lifting system for precast concrete elements does not depend solely on the weight of the unit. The same element may be subjected to very different operating conditions: release from the mould, flat demoulding, upending, tilting, transport and final installation.

At each stage, the direction of pull, the distribution of loads and the forces transferred from the insert to the concrete change. The geometry and thickness of the element, together with the space available for the lifting point, may also lead the design towards different configurations.

The Torre system and Safelift meet these requirements through different construction principles. The Torre lifting system uses a plate embedded in the concrete and a lifting shackle that engages inside a prepared recess. Safelift, by contrast, uses a permanent tube embedded in the element, to which a lifting shackle and an articulated hook are connected.

The comparison is therefore not intended to identify one system as universally better, but to determine which configuration is consistent with the intended handling operation, the geometry of the element and the actual operating conditions.

Table of contents

Browse the sections of the article dedicated to Torre and Safelift.

• The most demanding handling operation is the first selection criterion
• When the handling operation points towards the Torre system
• When geometry and versatility point towards Safelift
• Plates and tubes affect how the lifting point is integrated
• The engagement device must be consistent with the operating sequence
• Rated capacity and actual loading
• Reinforcement, confinement and concrete strength
• Criteria to be considered together
• Two configurations for lifting precast elements

The most demanding handling operation is the first selection criterion

Selecting a lifting device requires more than considering the final installation stage. The entire handling cycle must be reconstructed, from the initial release from the mould through to erection.

An element initially cast horizontally may be demoulded flat, upended as it leaves the casting bed, progressively rotated and finally tilted into the position required for transport or installation. The most demanding condition may therefore occur during an intermediate stage rather than during the final lift.

During demoulding, for example, mould adhesion acts in addition to the self-weight of the element. During upending and tilting, the orientation of the insert and the combination of tension and shear change. The inclination of the slings and the number of lifting points actually carrying the load also affect the force applied to each device.

The selection must be based on the operation governing the design, not solely on the rated capacity marked on the insert.

When the handling operation points towards the Torre system

The Torre system is designed to accommodate different handling operations through plates with specific geometries.

The range includes configurations for upending during demoulding, upending using tilting moulds, tilting operations, flat demoulding and elements with limited thickness. The variants therefore differ not only in load capacity: the shape and depth of the insert also change according to the operation and the geometry of the element.

The plate is embedded in the concrete and remains accessible through a recess formed by a plastic box. The box holds the component in its intended position during casting, protects the engagement area and creates the space required to connect the lifting shackle.

The lifting shackle engages directly with the plate through a locking pin fitted with devices that prevent accidental rotation and displacement. The connection geometry is also designed to distribute forces through the metal part of the system, limiting localised pressure on the concrete near the lifting point.

Torre may therefore guide the selection where the critical stage involves demoulding from a fixed casting bed, upending or tilting, and where a plate specifically configured for that handling operation is required.

When geometry and versatility point towards Safelift

Safelift is designed for handling elements with different shapes, thicknesses and functions, including panels, columns, beams, stairs, roofing elements, concrete pipes and other precast concrete elements.

Its versatility does not result from using the same insert indiscriminately. The range includes versions developed for vertical lifting, combined tension and shear, configurations requiring greater embedment depth, flat demoulding and double-T elements.

The selection must therefore concern the Safelift version compatible with the direction of the forces and the geometry of the element, rather than assuming that a single device can be used unchanged in every situation.

A characteristic feature is the limited space required by the lifting point in relation to the thickness of the element. The tube extends mainly through the depth of the element and does not require a surface recess comparable with that needed to accommodate the Torre lifting shackle.

This configuration may be particularly relevant for thin elements, architectural surfaces, areas with congested reinforcement or situations where several inserts must be coordinated within the same volume of concrete.

Reduced space requirements are not, however, sufficient as a selection criterion on their own. They must be considered together with the available embedment depth, reinforcement detailing and the intended handling operation.

Plates and tubes affect how the lifting point is integrated

The main difference between the two systems concerns the permanent component embedded in the concrete.

In the Torre system, the plate works together with its reinforcement and the confined concrete. The box creates a localised recess through which the lifting shackle reaches the metal component directly.

In Safelift, the permanent device is a shaped tube embedded and suitably reinforced within the element. The lifting shackle is inserted into the tube and rotated until engagement is complete, before being connected to the articulated hook.

This difference affects the shape of the recess, the volume occupied within the concrete, the arrangement of local reinforcement and the way forces are transferred from the lifting equipment to the element.

The plate and tube are therefore not simply dimensional alternatives. They form part of two configurations in which the insert, reinforcement, concrete and engagement device must be designed as components of the same system.

The engagement device must be consistent with the operating sequence

In the Torre system, the lifting shackle is inserted into the recess and connected to the plate by means of the locking pin. The security of the engagement depends on complete mechanical locking and on the correct operation of the devices that prevent accidental movement.

With Safelift, the lifting shackle is inserted into the tube, rotated and brought into the required position. The articulated hook can be connected only after this sequence has been completed. The articulation between the components accommodates different orientations of the slings and chains during handling.

The assessment cannot be limited to the speed of engagement. It must also consider access to the lifting point, the space available on the surface of the element, the direction of pull and the ability to carry out the engagement and release operations correctly.

Operational simplicity is valuable only when it remains consistent with the specified technical configuration.

Rated capacity and actual loading

The load ranges of the two systems overlap significantly. This confirms that the rated value alone is not sufficient to choose between Torre and Safelift.

The actual force applied to each insert depends on the weight of the element, but also on the position of the centre of gravity, mould adhesion, dynamic effects, sling inclination and the lifting method.

The number of lifting points must also be interpreted correctly. The presence of four inserts does not automatically ensure that the weight is distributed equally between four points, particularly where the slings or chains are not equalised.

An element that has already been released from the mould and is lifted vertically is subject to different conditions from a unit that must still be separated from a surface with high adhesion. Similarly, upending and tilting cannot be treated as equivalent to a vertical lift.

Two inserts with the same rated capacity may therefore operate under very different conditions.

Reinforcement, confinement and concrete strength

Torre and Safelift do not operate as isolated components. The performance of the lifting point depends on the interaction between the insert, the local reinforcement and the surrounding concrete.

Torre plates must be suitably reinforced and embedded in a confined volume of concrete. The reinforcement arrangement changes according to the variant, load capacity and direction of pull. Additional reinforcement aligned with the applied forces may be required for tilting operations or inclined lifting.

Safelift also requires verification of the concrete resistance cone, tension reinforcement and shear reinforcement. Where the system is subjected to shear or inclined lifting, the reinforcement arrangement plays a decisive role in transferring the forces.

The concrete strength to be considered is the strength available at the time of handling, not the value reached at full maturity. This is particularly important during demoulding, when the material must resist the combined effects of self-weight, mould adhesion and concentrated forces around the insert.

Criteria to be considered together

The choice between Torre and Safelift must consider the following factors together:

• the most demanding handling operation, from demoulding through to installation;
• the geometry, thickness and centre of gravity of the element;
• the direction of pull and the number of lifting points actually carrying the load;
• the space available for the insert, recess and local reinforcement;
• concrete strength, reinforcement detailing and confinement.

Where the main critical condition is associated with demoulding from a fixed casting bed, upending or tilting, the different Torre plates allow the lifting point to be configured for these operations.

Where the project instead requires a system suitable for a wide range of geometries and with limited surface space requirements, the Safelift variants allow the insert to be adapted to vertical lifting, flat demoulding, combined loading or double-T elements.

These indications do not constitute an automatic rule. Torre also includes configurations for flat demoulding and thin elements; Safelift may be used for upending and tilting where the insert version, reinforcement and concrete conditions are compatible with the intended handling operation.

The final selection always results from the combination of movement, geometry, load and local reinforcement.

Two configurations for lifting precast elements

Torre and Safelift share the objective of transferring forces from the precast element to the lifting equipment in a controlled manner. However, the way in which the lifting point is integrated into the element differs.

Torre uses a plate connected to the lifting shackle inside a prepared recess, with variants developed for different handling operations.

Safelift uses a tube embedded in the concrete, a lifting shackle and an articulated hook, with configurations selected according to the geometry of the element and the direction of the applied forces.

There is therefore no universally preferable system. The appropriate configuration must be designed by considering the entire handling cycle and verifying the lifting method, concrete strength, reinforcement, confinement and accessibility of the lifting point together.

Explore the lifting systems for precast elements developed by B.S. Italia for different geometries and handling conditions.

Frequently asked questions about Torre and Safelift

Does the choice between Torre and Safelift depend mainly on weight?

No. Weight is only one of the parameters. The type of handling operation, sling inclination, centre of gravity, element geometry, concrete strength and local reinforcement must also be considered.

Can Torre be used only for upending?

No. The different Torre plates include configurations for upending during demoulding, tilting and flat demoulding.

Can Safelift be used for upending and tilting?

Yes, provided that the insert version, reinforcement, confinement and concrete strength are compatible with the intended handling operation.

What is the main difference between Torre and Safelift?

Torre uses a plate connected to the lifting shackle inside a recess formed by a box. Safelift uses a tube embedded in the concrete, into which the lifting shackle connected to the articulated hook is engaged.