Alignment legs are a critical feature for Kenco Barrier Lifts (also referred to as barrier clamps) because they ensure safe, efficient, and precise handling of concrete barriers. Below are the key reasons why alignment legs are a must for Kenco Barrier Lifts, based on their design and operational requirements:

1. Ensures Proper Alignment for Secure Clamping

• Function: Alignment legs guide the barrier lift to the correct position over the barrier, ensuring the clamping pads are centered and properly aligned with the barrier’s top surface (typically 6–12” wide for standard models like KL9000V4 or KL12000).
• Why It’s Essential:
  • The Kenco Barrier Lift uses a scissor-action mechanism that automatically clamps when lowered onto the barrier. Misalignment can prevent the actuator from engaging correctly, leading to an insecure grip or failure to clamp.
  • Proper alignment ensures the lift grabs the barrier symmetrically, distributing the load evenly across the pads and preventing slippage during lifting.
  • Example: For jersey walls or F-shape barriers, alignment legs help position the lift to avoid uneven clamping, which could damage the barrier or cause it to slip.

2. Prevents Damage to Barriers

• Function: The legs act as a physical guide, keeping the lift centered and preventing the clamping pads from striking the barrier’s edges or sides.
• Why It’s Essential:
  • Concrete barriers are susceptible to chipping, cracking, or spalling if the lift’s pads or frame contact the barrier improperly.
  • Alignment legs reduce the risk of the lift being lowered off-center, which could cause the pads to scrape or gouge the barrier, especially during repetitive lifts on projects like highway median installations.
  • Example: In a 9,600 ft barrier run (like the Alaska project), alignment legs help maintain barrier integrity over thousands of lifts, avoiding costly damage.

3. Enhances Operator Safety

• Function: Alignment legs simplify the positioning process, reducing the need for operators to manually adjust the lift or approach the load during setup.
• Why It’s Essential:
  • Kenco Barrier Lifts are designed for automatic, hands-free operation, minimizing operator exposure to hazards. Misaligned lifts could require workers to intervene, increasing the risk of injury near heavy equipment or suspended loads.
  • The legs ensure the lift engages correctly the first time, reducing the chance of load instability or unexpected movement that could endanger workers.
  • Compliance with OSHA and ASME B30.20 standards is supported by features like alignment legs, which promote safe lifting practices.

4. Increases Efficiency and Productivity

• Function: By guiding the lift into the correct position quickly, alignment legs reduce the time spent maneuvering the equipment.
• Why It’s Essential:
  • On large-scale projects (e.g., unloading 20–40 ft jersey walls from trucks or setting sound walls), alignment legs allow operators to position the lift accurately in a single attempt, speeding up the process.
  • This is particularly important for high-volume tasks, such as setting hundreds of barriers in a day, where delays from repositioning the lift can add up.
  • Example: Forterra’s use of Kenco Barrier Lifts with alignment legs enabled faster unloading and placement, improving job site efficiency.

5. Adapts to Various Barrier Types and Conditions

• Function: Alignment legs are designed to accommodate different barrier profiles (e.g., jersey, F-shape, Texas Low Profile, or T-walls) and job site conditions, such as uneven terrain or tight spaces.
• Why It’s Essential:
  • Barriers vary in width, height, and shape, and alignment legs help the lift adapt to these differences by providing a consistent reference point for positioning.
  • On uneven ground or during truck unloading, the legs help stabilize the lift’s approach, ensuring the clamp engages even if the barrier is slightly tilted or off-center.
  • Example: The KL12000TLP model, designed for Texas Low Profile barriers with a 28” grip range, relies on alignment legs to handle the unique geometry of these barriers.

6. Supports Automatic Actuator Functionality

• Function: The alignment legs work in tandem with the lift’s actuator, which triggers the clamping action when the lift is lowered onto the barrier.
• Why It’s Essential:
  • The actuator requires the lift to be centered over the barrier to function correctly. Alignment legs ensure this precise positioning, allowing the actuator to engage reliably without manual adjustments.
  • Without alignment legs, operators might struggle to position the lift accurately, leading to repeated attempts or actuator failure, which could halt operations.
  • Example: Models like the KL16000 or KL30000, used for heavy 20–40 ft barriers, depend on alignment legs to ensure the actuator engages under high loads (up to 30,000 lbs).

7. Reduces Wear on the Barrier Lift

• Function: By preventing misalignment, the legs reduce stress on the lift’s clamping pads, actuator, and frame.
• Why It’s Essential:
  • Misaligned lifts can cause excessive force on the pads or actuator, leading to premature wear or damage (e.g., pad bolt loosening or actuator screw bending).
  • Alignment legs extend the lifespan of the barrier lift, reducing maintenance costs and downtime for repairs or recertification.
  • Kenco’s maintenance guidelines emphasize daily inspections of pads and actuators, and alignment legs help minimize issues that require such checks.

Conclusion

Alignment legs are a must for Kenco Barrier Lifts because they ensure proper clamping, prevent barrier damage, enhance operator safety, increase efficiency, adapt to diverse barriers, support the automatic actuator, and reduce equipment wear. These legs are integral to the lift’s design, enabling reliable and safe operation across applications like highway barrier placement, sound wall installation, or T-wall handling. Without alignment legs, operators would face increased risks, slower workflows, and potential damage to both barriers and equipment.

For specific Kenco Barrier Lift models (e.g., KL9000V4, KL12000, or KL30000), the alignment legs are factory-installed and tailored to the grip range and barrier type. If you’re considering a custom lift or have unique job site requirements, contact Kenco at sales@kenco.com or visit kenco.com to ensure the alignment legs are optimized for your needs. If you have a particular model or application in mind, let me know, and I can provide more targeted details!