OZ Lifting Davit Crane System Supports HVACR Rooftop Lifts

OZ Lifting Products has introduced a Davit Crane Rooftop Maintenance System designed to help HVACR contractors lift heavy and irregularly shaped equipment to rooftops, particularly when elevators or stairways cannot be used.

The system is aimed at common HVACR jobsite challenges, where air handling units, condensing kits, exhaust fans and ductwork are often installed on building roofs. While rooftop placement saves interior space, transporting equipment into position can be difficult without traditional access routes.

The Davit Crane Rooftop Maintenance System is designed as a portable material handling solution that allows lifting from the exterior of a building. It is available in multiple configurations, including davit crane capacities ranging from 500 to 2,500 pounds. Contractors can select from four base styles with different finishes, along with options such as manual or electric winches, wire or synthetic rope and additional accessories.

According to OZ Lifting, an additional davit crane model and a fifth non-permanent base are planned to join the product line in 2026.

Steve Napieralski, president at OZ Lifting, said: “The skilled labor shortage is a real pain-point right now. Even as we’re speaking to HVACR and plumbing professionals, we can see them planning out their own tailor-made lifting solution in their head. The cost savings, along with productivity and safety gains, are immediately apparent. Rooftop lifting is a problem every one of these guys and gals deals with every day — and we’ve got the solution. Companies can now do more with fewer people, without cutting corners on safety.”

The system is being adopted by some contractors as an alternative to job-by-job rental equipment. Its portability and tool-free assembly allow a single crane to be used with multiple base configurations across different job sites.

OZ Lifting’s davit cranes feature U.S.-patented tool-free assembly, corrosion-resistant finishes,and adjustable booms. The Tele-Pro model is available in 500-, 1,200- and 2,500-pound capacities and allows boom adjustment under load to help position lifts safely away from building walls and windows. The company states all davit cranes are tested and certified to 125% of rated capacity and manufactured in the United States.

Napieralski said: “Our Davit Crane Rooftop Maintenance Systems are specifically designed for the material handling requirements of the HVACR industry, which is running smaller crews than ever. The U.S.-Patented quick-connect tool-free setup is a gamechanger; you no longer need a big crew to get the crane lifting. More and more HVACR crews are benefiting from the systems’ portability, tool-free assembly and small footprint for the tight spaces that are common in this industry.”

In a recent case study cited by the company, a five-story commercial installation required rooftop unit placement where both the service elevator and stairwell were unsuitable for transporting equipment. A rooftop maintenance system with an adjustable davit crane was used to lift and place components directly from the building exterior. The crew completed the installation with a smaller team, avoided large crane rental and reduced potential risk of building damage.