Re-think traditional steel support stands
Traditional steel support stands can be heavy and difficult to move, position and store, adding manual-handling demands and setup time. Moving them into position and retrieving them around elevated machinery can also increase line-of-fire exposure. Over time, repeated handling can contribute to strain and fatigue, while labour hours are lost moving, positioning and storing heavy support equipment.
THE ISSUE
Think lighter.
Composite Stands offer a lighter, load-rated alternative to traditional steel support stands. Engineered using an innovative, robust hybrid construction, they help reduce manual handling and line-of-fire exposure while improving setup efficiency and productivity across heavy equipment maintenance, repair, assembly and storage activities.
A smarter way to support heavy equipment
Reduce manual handling
Minimise line-of-fire risk
Improve productivity
Composite Stands are lightweight, load-rated support stands engineered using an innovative, robust hybrid construction to support elevated heavy equipment during maintenance, repair, assembly and storage activities. Developed as a durable alternative to traditional steel stands, they help reduce manual handling and line-of-fire exposure while improving setup efficiency and productivity. The globally patented system is designed and manufactured in Australia, independently tested and compliant with applicable standards: see Technical.
Welcome to the future.
Curious about what makes Composite Stands different? Discover the technology behind Composite Stands. Book a 20-minute online discovery presentation with Mathew Dow to learn why the technology was developed, how it works and the opportunities it presents for heavy equipment maintenance.
Common applications for Composite Stands
01
ALUMINIUM OR STEEL BASE
Provides a stable foundation for the support stand and helps distribute load through the base of the support system. The 8t and 12.5t models use a standard aluminium base, while the 15t and 25t models use aluminium containing strontium for improved flex. Models 35t and above use fabricated steel.
02
COMPOSITE COLUMN
The main load-bearing structure of the stand, engineered from advanced composite materials to deliver high strength, durability and significantly reduced weight compared with traditional steel.
03
SOLID STEEL ENGAGEMENT HEAD AND HANDLE
The solid steel engagement head provides a durable contact point between the stand and the supported equipment. On lower-capacity models, including the 15t and 25t range, the integrated handle assists with placement, positioning and retrieval.
04
UV VINYL WRAP
Helps protect the composite column from UV exposure while displaying key product information, including safety markings, load rating and identification details in accordance with relevant standards.
Handling Support Stands for Heavy Equipment
How a support stand is moved matters to the technician using it. Composite Stands offers a placement hook for smaller stands and a wheeled placement trolley for larger stands, helping crews move and position the equipment with less manual carrying.
Handling
The right handling method depends on the stand, the working surface and the site’s procedure. Check the stand’s weight and compatible accessories, and complete a pre-use inspection before the job.
Carrying and guiding 15t and 25t stands
Depending on height, our 15t stands weigh 7.5–9.2 kg and our 25t stands weigh 10.8–15.2 kg. In a typical workshop application, a technician can carry a suitable stand by its handle with the placement hook in the other hand, then set the stand on the ground near the work area.
The open end of the hook fits around the stand’s column. From the end of the handle, the technician can push or pull the stand along the floor into position. The same hook is used to retrieve it after the machine has been raised clear.
Moving larger stands with the placement trolley
For compatible larger stands, two adjustable trolley hooks engage a pickup plate fitted to the stand base. The technician extends the handle to the length needed and secures it with the twist-lock cam. Pressing down on the handle pivots the stand onto the trolley wheels so it can be moved.
The handle extends from approximately 1.2 m to 2 m. Its length changes the mechanical advantage and working reach. The hook settings also change the handle angle: it can be more upright where space is tight, or flatter when reaching beneath a low obstruction such as a draft arm.
A 2018 review of Komatsu’s Tomago workshop recorded existing stands weighing 45 kg or 80 kg, stored at least 25 m from the nearest work bay. Moving stands between storage and a bay involved two technicians and a forklift. The review estimated 20 minutes to bring them in and 15 minutes to return them. It proposed a 5S arrangement that would keep lighter Composite Stands closer to the work bays. The example shows why stand weight and storage location both matter to handling.
02
Placement Trolley
Compatible with 35t, 50t and Dozer stands fitted with the required adapter
Adjustable hooks connect to the stand via the trolley adapter plate. The telescopic handle and trolley wheels allow compatible stands to be moved and positioned, with an adjustable handle length of approximately 1.2–2 m.
Positioning Support Stands Under Raised Equipment
Once equipment has been raised, stands must be guided to the specified support points without personnel entering beneath a lifted, unsupported load. The placement hook and trolley allow compatible stands to be guided from a working position assessed for the machine and task.
Placement
Before positioning a stand
Confirm the required Working Load Limit and working height for each stand, the manufacturer’s lift and support points, the condition of the stand, and a hard, level surface capable of carrying the load. Follow the equipment manufacturer’s instructions, the Composite Stands Operating Manual and the site’s lifting procedure.
Positioning 8t, 15t and 25t stands with the hook
- Bring the stand and hook to an accessible side of the machine.
- Set the stand on the ground and place the open hook around its column.
- Slide the stand to the selected support point while working from a position clear of the machine’s anticipated movement path.
- Remove the hook once the stand is correctly positioned.
- When all stands are in place, clear tools and personnel from the line of fire before the machine is slowly lowered onto them.
- After the machine has been raised clear, use the hook to draw the stand back to an accessible position.
On some wheel loaders, an open area beside the chassis near the articulation can provide that access. The suitable technician position must be assessed for the particular machine and lift; the wheel footprint alone does not define the crush zone.
Positioning larger stands with the trolley
- Connect the trolley’s adjustable hooks to the pickup plate on a compatible stand.
- Select the hook setting and handle length to suit the available clearance and reach.
- Use the handle and trolley wheels to guide the stand to its selected support point.
- Disengage the trolley once the stand is positioned.
- After the machine has been raised clear at the end of the work, reconnect the trolley to retrieve the stand.
The site’s lifting procedure governs technician position and trolley use throughout the operation.
At Hastings Deering’s Mackay assembly pad, foreman Paul Carman described installing Composite Stands beneath a Cat 796 truck as a one-person task. He said other stands used on site might need two people and a forklift. His account gives a firsthand example of single-person placement during a large-machine assembly job.
Help us recommend the correct support stand for your application
Ready to take the next step?
Browse our product range, add relevant products to your quote list and submit a request for quotation. If you are unsure which stand is right for your application, request technical advice and our team can review your requirements.