How to Spec & Order a Custom Kenco Lifting Attachment for Non-Standard Wall Profiles

A “standard” lifting attachment works great until your wall profile is not standard. The barrier is taller. The face angle is different. The grip point is wider than expected. The top geometry is rounded. The concrete is chipped. Or you are working with a mix of state-specific profiles that do not nest or clamp the same way. That is when buyers discover a painful truth: most handling problems are not caused by the crane. They are caused by mismatched attachment geometry.

For commercial and institutional buyers (schools, parks, senior living, hospitals, hotels, municipalities), custom lifting attachments are not a luxury. They are often the safest way to create a repeatable handling process when you have non-standard wall profiles.

This guide explains how to spec and order a custom Kenco lifting attachment in plain English, including what measurements to capture, what questions to answer, and how to make sure the final solution is defensible in procurement and safety review.

Contact us with photos of your wall profile and your target lift workflow. We can help you identify what dimensions and jobsite conditions matter most before you request a custom quote.

 

What counts as a “non-standard wall profile” (in handling terms)

Buyers often assume a “jersey barrier” is a jersey barrier. In reality, wall profiles vary by:

• Geometry (standard jersey, single slope, F-shape, custom/state-specific)
• Height and base width
• Taper at the grip point
• Connector hardware and protrusions
• Surface condition and finish

A wall profile is “non-standard” for your attachment if:

• The jaws cannot seat squarely with full pad contact
• The jaw opening range is too tight or too wide for stable clamping
• The attachment contacts a taper or radius and “walks” during tension
• The barrier rotates or shifts during initial lift due to inconsistent engagement

Why custom attachments are often the safest option

Improvising around a mismatch usually increases risk. Common “workarounds” include:

• Changing choke points with slings
• Adding blocking or spacers
• Accepting partial pad contact
• “Trying again” until the clamp bites

The downside is variability. Variability is what causes:

• Re-seating attempts
• Barrier damage
• Longer time in the fall zone
• Operator uncertainty

A custom attachment is often justified when it creates:

• Consistent seating
• Predictable rotation control
• Faster, repeatable hook-up
• Easier training and inspection

Step 1: Define your lifting workflow (what you need the attachment to do)

Before you take measurements, define the workflow. The same wall can require different attachment choices depending on how you lift.

Answer these questions:

• Are you lifting for yard staging, truck loading, stacking, or precise placement?
• Are moves short and repetitive or occasional and high consequence?
• Is the lift primarily done with a crane/hoist or a forklift handling system?
• Do you need to lift one barrier at a time or multiple barriers?

Workflow clarity is what prevents ordering a device that is technically “capable” but operationally frustrating.

Request a quote only after you can describe your workflow in one sentence (for example, “daily yard staging of 12–20 ft barriers, wet/dusty conditions, fast cycles”).

 

Step 2: Capture the right measurements (the spec sheet that makes customs go smoothly)

For a custom attachment, good measurements are more valuable than long emails.

A) Profile photos (required)

Take clear photos:

• Straight-on profile view (side view)
• 45-degree angle view at the intended grip point
• Close-up of any protrusions, keys, pins, or connector hardware

Include a tape measure in the photo for scale.

B) Width at the intended grip point (critical)

Measure the wall where the jaws will actually contact.

• Minimum width
• Maximum width (if tapered)
• Location of the grip point relative to the base/top

C) Taper and radius details

If the wall has a curved or radiused face at the grip point, the attachment may need:

• A different pad shape
• A larger contact area
• A jaw geometry that prevents “walking”

D) Height and base footprint

Height matters for handling and stability. Base width influences how the wall sits and how it nests in stacks.

E) Weight range (realistic max)

Use:

• The heaviest realistic wall you lift
• Add variance for debris, wet conditions, and mixed lengths

F) Connector hardware

Document:

• Connector type
• Any protrusions that interfere with jaw seating
• Whether hardware must remain damage-free

G) Surface condition and finish

Note:

• Smooth vs rough
• Wet/muddy vs dry/dusty
• Spalling/chipping frequency

This drives pad strategy and expected wear.

Browse products to see standard jaw configurations, then use your measurements to identify what is “non-standard” about your wall.

Step 3: Choose an attachment approach (customizing the right part of the system)

Custom does not always mean “build from scratch.” Often, it means modifying one of these:

1) Jaw opening range and geometry

Common custom needs:

• Wider opening for unusual base widths
• Narrower closing for secure grip on smaller profiles
• Shaped jaws to match tapered faces

2) Pad strategy (often the most important customization)

Pads are performance. For non-standard walls, pad shape and material can be the difference between:

• Full contact and stable seating
• Partial contact and re-seating

Common pad categories:

• Elastomer (forgiving, often gentler)
• Urethane (durable for high-cycle abrasion)
• Dog-point (more bite, higher marking risk)

Custom pad face shapes can also be used to match radiused or tapered surfaces.

3) Centering and stability features

If rotation is a recurring issue, custom solutions may include:

• Self-centering geometry
• Multi-point lifting options
• Compatibility with spreader beams where appropriate

4) Hardware protection

If connectors or architectural faces must remain damage-free, custom solutions may prioritize:

• Larger contact area
• Protective surfaces
• Clear seating “stops” that prevent edge contact

Step 4: Define “success criteria” (so the custom quote matches buyer expectations)

Custom attachment projects go best when buyers define success in measurable terms.

Examples:

• Seats consistently on Profile A and Profile B with full pad contact
• Passes controlled test lift with no slip on wet barriers
• Allows attach/detach within X minutes per cycle
• Reduces barrier damage compared to sling handling
• Can be inspected easily with clear wear-part replacements

If you do not define success, you may receive a design that lifts—but does not improve the workflow.

Contact us with your success criteria and your measurement set. We can recommend whether a custom jaw, custom pad, or workflow change will produce the best result.

 

Step 5: Plan for inspection and lifecycle (custom does not mean “maintenance-free”)

Custom attachments still need lifecycle planning.

Buyers should plan for:

• Pad replacement intervals
• Pivot inspection and hardware checks
• Storage that protects pads from crushing and UV
• Serial identification and inspection logs

For institutional teams with intermittent use, calendar-based inspections help avoid long gaps.

Step 6: Ordering checklist (copy/paste)

Use this list as your ordering packet.

• Wall profile name(s): standard / single slope / F-shape / state-specific / custom
• Photos (profile + close-ups) with tape measure in frame
• Wall length range:
• Wall height:
• Wall weight range (min/max) and heaviest realistic wall:
• Width at intended grip point (min/max) + taper/radius notes:
• Connector hardware type and interference points:
• Surface conditions (wet/dusty/icy) and finish sensitivity:
• Duty cycle (lifts per day/week) and seasonality:
• Lift method (crane/hoist), hook/shackle constraints:
• Set-down needs (staging vs precise placement vs stacking):
• Success criteria (seating, speed, slip tolerance, damage limits):

Request a quote using the checklist above. The more complete your packet, the faster you can get a quote that matches your real-world requirements.

 

FAQ: Custom lifting attachments for non-standard wall profiles

1) When do we actually need a custom attachment?

When standard jaws and pads do not seat consistently, when profiles are mixed, or when your workflow requires repeatability under wet/dusty conditions.

2) Is custom always more expensive than buying a bigger standard model?

Not always. A bigger model can add capacity but still fail to seat properly. Customizing jaw geometry or pads can be a more effective investment.

3) What is the most important measurement?

Width at the intended grip point, including taper. Profile photos with a tape measure are often the fastest way to communicate the real geometry.

4) Can pads alone solve seating problems?

Sometimes. If the jaw geometry is close, custom pad shape/material can improve contact. If geometry is far off, jaw changes may be required.

5) How do we validate a custom design safely?

Use controlled test lifts: raise the wall a few inches, pause, verify pad contact and stability, then proceed. Test in the worst conditions you expect.

6) What if we have multiple state-specific wall profiles?

Buyers can either standardize on one profile, create separate procedures, or request a custom solution that seats consistently across the most common profiles.

7) How do we reduce wall damage?

Use pads that distribute force, avoid contact with fragile edges, and replace worn pads before performance drops.

8) How often should custom attachments be inspected?

Use pre-use checks plus documented periodic inspections. Intermittent use often benefits from calendar-based inspections.

9) What information should we provide for the fastest quote?

Photos with a tape measure, grip point width range, wall weight range, surface conditions, duty cycle, and your success criteria.

10) What is the biggest mistake buyers make?

Ordering based on capacity alone and ignoring profile fit, taper, and pad strategy.

Custom specs create repeatable lifts

Non-standard wall profiles do not have to mean unpredictable lifts. When buyers capture the right measurements, define success criteria, and match jaw geometry and pad strategy to real conditions, custom attachments create safer, faster, more repeatable barrier handling.

Browse products to see standard attachment categories, then Contact us or Request a quote with your spec packet to start the custom design process.