The handle only needs 15 degrees of arc swing to turn. This helps reduce wrist and arm fatigue when many pieces of tubing have to be cut at the same time, or over the course of a contractor's day.

"This is a great design," commented one of the judges. "This one's a true efficiency enhancer."

SILVER

Pro-Lift is a battery operated lifting and transport tool used primarily for the installation of packaged air conditioning units on commercial rooftops. Pro-Source LLC designed it to save money associated with the costs of large cranes and helicopters. It can be used to install boilers, rooftop ventilation fans, and refrigeration cases.

"It's a neat idea," said one judge.

When in use, a single lift is positioned on each side of a unit and centered between the forklift slots in the factory forklift rails. As the unit is raised, the bottom hooks hold the lifting bar into place. The unit is moved over the curb and lowered without obstruction. The main load is carried on two 9.5-inch pneumatic tires with four spring-loaded caster wheels.

Contractors benefit from the fact that each side is independent of the other, allowing the lifts to be used on any width unit. Weighing approximately 110 pounds a piece, the lifts utilize 12 v 12.5 amp hour rechargeable batteries.

According to the company, Pro-Lift is easier, safer, and less labor intensive as opposed to the use of homemade carts, heavy gantry cranes, or pipe to roll the unit across the rooftop.

"These lifts cut man hours from jobs," commented one of the judges. "This is great for rooftop commercial equipment.

BRONZE

Goodway Technologies Corp.'s CoilProâ„¢ is a coil cleaning system designed to remove debris and organic matter found in heat transfer coils. Each CoilPro is equipped with a 5 gallon on-board chemical tank; a 5 gallon on-board water tank; a 140 psi high pressure spray pump that operates on 110 v or battery power; two mixing valves; a deep cycle 12 v rechargeable battery; a collection of wands and nozzles for multiple applications; and a custom cart containing all necessary coil cleaning items.

The CoilPro is designed to dispense 140 psi as compared to the common 150 psi. The unit's pressure is enough to drive the chemical cleaner through up to 10 inches of coils without the possibility of damaging the fins.

According to the company, the CoilPro was designed specifically with the HVAC technician in mind. Portability and ease were common requests that the company received during the design process. In response, the manufacturer included a 25-foot hose that allows the operator to get to tight spots and spray into areas with less than 1 inch of access. Solving another problem for technicians, Goodway made the unit battery powered because of the lack of access to electricity that often occurs on rooftops.

"This is an excellent product," commented one judge. "It looks like they found a better way to clean coils."

Honorees: Tools

GOLD
Stride Tool Inc. - www.stridetool.com - Ratcheting Mini Tube Cutter

SILVER
Pro-Source LLC - www.pro-lift.com - Pro-Lift

BRONZE
Goodway Technologies Corp. - www.goodway.com - CoilPro

Publication date: 07/17/2006