Clever Engineering Launches Innovative New Product to Help HVACR Engineers
May 31, 2011
Introducing the simple, but safe, strap called the JugLugger that allows easy carrying of refrigerant cylinders while still freeing up both hands for climbing ladders, carrying tools or holding onto that all important first cup of coffee of the day.
It’s one of the most basic challenges faced in the HVACR industry. The 12+kg cylinder of refrigerant is in the service van and the mechanical equipment is on the roof of a building and there’s often only a ladder as a means to get from one to the other.
Obviously it takes at least one hand to carry the cylinder and two hands gripping the ladder to safely go up it, so contractors and engineers quickly realise that they are always going to be one hand short.
The JugLugger refrigerant carrying strap was developed in conjunction with contractors who provided feedback to various prototypes as well as other carrying devices. The product was designed to solve this industry challenge of coming up with a device that reduces the bane of most engineers’ lives and so getting the job done as safely and quickly as possible.
The product has a cross-linked foam shoulder pad covered with denier nylon that has 13mm steel connection clips and 50mm steel pivot jaws for adjusting the length. Both clips are attached to the top of a cylinder’s integral handle, and then the strap is slung over the shoulder and the engineer is ready to head up the ladder using both hands for the climbing.
Back on level ground, there is value in the product because it allows the engineer to use both hands to carry more tools from a vehicle to the HVACR equipment in one trip. It’s much safer and it frees up the engineers’ hands, saving a trip back to the van can easily save 5-10 minutes per service call. Given this added productivity, the JugLugger carrying device pays for itself in no time.
The product has been on the market in the US for about a year and interest continues to grow. Now it’s being launched throughout the UK and Europe and should be available soon from HVAC wholesalers. Meanwhile, the JugLugger can be bought direct from UK Distributor, Clever Engineering.
