Overview
Barron Equipment carries the Caldwell constant lifting magnet — a permanent magnetic lifter with an always-on design that eliminates the possibility of accidental load release during lifting. Unlike standard permanent lifting magnets that use an on/off handle or lever to engage and disengage the magnetic field, the constant lifting magnet's magnetic field is always active. There is no switch, lever, or handle that can be bumped, forgotten, or accidentally moved to the off position while a load is suspended.
This always-on approach delivers the highest level of magnetic holding security available in a permanent lift magnet. The load is released only through a deliberate, mechanical action using a non-marring roller cam release — a mechanism that physically separates the magnet from the steel surface without demagnetizing the magnet itself. For operations where load drop prevention is the top priority and loads are consistently flat ferrous metal, the constant lifting magnet is the safest choice in Barron's magnetic lifter lineup.
How the Always-On Design Works
With a standard on/off permanent lifting magnet, the operator activates the magnetic field before lifting and deactivates it for load release. This introduces two potential failure points — the possibility that the operator forgets to fully engage the magnet before lifting, or that the on/off mechanism is accidentally moved during a lift. The constant lifting magnet eliminates both risks by keeping the magnetic field permanently energized at all times.
When the operator places the constant magnet on a flat steel surface, the magnetic field immediately grips the load with full holding force — no activation step required. To release the load at its destination, the operator uses the roller cam mechanism to physically rock the magnet away from the steel surface, breaking the magnetic contact. The roller cam is designed to release the load without leaving marks or damage on the material surface, making it suitable for finished steel, polished plate, and cosmetically sensitive loads.
Features and Benefits
- Always-on permanent magnetic field — no on/off switch, lever, or handle to fail or forget
- Highest level of load security during overhead lifting — zero chance of accidental magnetic deactivation
- Non-marring roller cam release separates the magnet from the load without surface damage or marking
- For use on flat ferrous metal material only — full magnet face contact required for rated holding force
- Holding power is not affected by power outages, electrical failures, or battery life
- Completely self-contained — no electricity, batteries, or compressed air needed
- No moving parts in the magnetic circuit — long service life with minimal maintenance
- Immediate attachment on contact — no activation delay or setup step
- Complies with ASME standards for below-the-hook lifting devices
Constant vs. On/Off Permanent Lifting Magnets
Barron Equipment carries both constant (always-on) and on/off permanent lifting magnets, and the right choice depends on how you prioritize safety features versus operational flexibility.
The constant lifting magnet is the safer option for single-material operations where every load is flat steel and the priority is eliminating any possibility of accidental release. There is no operator step that can be missed or reversed during the lift. However, the always-on design means the magnet grips any ferrous surface it touches — including worktables, storage racks, and transport surfaces — which requires the operator to be deliberate about where the magnet is set down between lifts.
On/off permanent magnets like the Caldwell Model CREM and Model VL give the operator full control over when the magnetic field is active. This makes them more flexible for mixed workflows where the magnet needs to be set down on steel surfaces without gripping, or where round stock and varying load profiles require selective engagement. For on/off rare earth options with vertical lift capability, see the Caldwell Model VL. For on/off permanent magnets with simple lever operation, see the Model CREM.
Applications
The constant lifting magnet is designed for facilities that handle flat ferrous metal with overhead cranes and need the highest level of load security during every lift. Common applications include lifting finished steel plates where surface marking is not acceptable, handling polished or coated flat steel in fabrication and finishing departments, picking steel sheet from inventory in operations where the same flat material profile is handled repeatedly throughout the shift, loading and unloading flat steel plate from trucks and storage racks, and any application where eliminating the possibility of accidental magnetic release is a safety requirement.
Selection Assistance
The constant lifting magnet is designed exclusively for flat ferrous metal material. It is not suitable for round stock, cylindrical loads, or materials with irregular surfaces that prevent full magnet face contact. Capacity ratings are based on clean, smooth, flat low carbon steel — rough surfaces, thin materials, air gaps, and alloy steels reduce effective holding force.
For round material capability or on/off control, Barron carries the Caldwell Model CREM and Model VL permanent lifting magnets. For heavier loads requiring electrically controlled magnetic fields, see the Caldwell Model RELM electromagnetic lifters. For multi-magnet applications handling long steel plates, Barron offers the Caldwell magnetic lifting beam.
Contact Barron Equipment to request a quote or discuss a constant lifting magnet for your operation.