Caldwell Model 172 Concrete Pressure Tong

Caldwell Model 172 Concrete Pressure Tong with Urethane Pads — Safe Handling of Cured Concrete

The Caldwell Model 172 Concrete Pressure Tong is an ASME-compliant lifting tong engineered specifically for handling cured concrete products where surface protection is non-negotiable. Featuring pivoting polyurethane pads that conform to the load surface, this tong grips securely without scratching, marring, or damaging finished concrete. It is designed for contractors, riggers, and construction crews who need a reliable, repeatable solution for positioning concrete slabs, panels, and precast elements. The Model 172 is available in three rated capacities — 550 lb, 1,100 lb, and 2,200 lb — to match a wide range of job site lifting requirements.

Unlike conventional steel-jaw tongs that risk surface damage on finished or architectural concrete, the Model 172 uses polyurethane contact pads that grip without abrasion, and its pivoting pad design automatically aligns with the load surface to maximize contact area. The manual latch mechanism locks the tong arms open for easy load placement and releases cleanly once the lift is complete, reducing handling time and improving crew efficiency on site.

Key Features & Benefits

Polyurethane Gripping Pads

The urethane pads provide a firm, non-abrasive grip on cured concrete surfaces, preventing scratching or marring that would compromise the finish of architectural or exposed-aggregate panels. This eliminates the costly rework or rejection of damaged precast elements. Contractors handling high-value concrete products rely on this feature to protect their work through the final placement stage.

Pivoting Pad Design

The pivoting pad mechanism allows each contact surface to self-align with the geometry of the load, ensuring full, even contact regardless of minor surface irregularities or tong angle. This maximizes grip stability and distributes clamping pressure evenly, reducing the risk of load slip. It also accommodates a wider range of concrete profiles without manual adjustment.

Automatic Load-Size Adjustment

The Model 172 automatically adjusts its clamping span to the width of the load as the lift is initiated, removing the need for manual width setting between picks. This speeds up rigging cycles on production sites where multiple concrete elements of varying sizes are being handled in sequence. It also reduces the chance of operator error in setting tong width incorrectly.

Easy-Release Manual Latch

The manual latch locks the tong arms in the open position, allowing crews to place the tong onto the load without it closing prematurely — critical when working in tight precast yards or on elevated structures. Once positioned, the latch releases easily so the tong can engage the load under tension. This feature directly improves placement accuracy and crew safety.

ASME Standards Compliance

The Model 172 is designed and manufactured in compliance with ASME B30.20 below-the-hook lifting device standards, providing contractors with documentation-ready equipment for regulated job sites. Compliance simplifies third-party inspection, equipment certification, and insurance requirements. It also ensures the tong meets minimum design factor and load rating verification requirements.

Three Rated Capacity Options

Available in 550 lb (1/4 ton), 1,100 lb (1/2 ton), and 2,200 lb (1 ton) rated capacities, the Model 172 family covers a broad range of precast and concrete slab weights. Selecting the correct capacity for the job ensures the tong is neither undersized — a safety risk — nor excessively oversized, which can reduce handling efficiency. All three models share the same core design features.

Common Applications

Precast Concrete Panel Handling

The Model 172 is purpose-built for picking, positioning, and setting precast concrete panels where surface finish must be preserved through final installation. The urethane pads prevent contact damage on architectural, exposed, or painted panel faces.

Concrete Slab Placement

Used in construction work to position cured concrete slabs, the tong's auto-adjusting arms and pivoting pads make it efficient for repetitive slab-setting operations. It handles a range of slab widths without manual reconfiguration between picks.

Precast Yard Material Handling

In precast manufacturing yards, the Model 172 allows finished elements to be moved from casting beds to storage or staging areas without risking surface damage. Its latch mechanism supports fast cycling through multiple picks per shift.

Construction Site Concrete Product Rigging

For contractors rigging cured concrete products — including steps, lintels, sills, and specialty precast items — the Model 172 provides a grip that is secure under crane or hoist load without requiring chains or slings that could abrade the surface.

Structural Concrete Element Positioning

When placing structural concrete members that require precision positioning, the tong's consistent grip and controlled release support accurate setting without secondary handling. The manual latch allows the rigging crew to release the tong cleanly once the element is seated.

Compatible Materials

• Cured concrete slabs and panels
• Precast concrete products
• Architectural concrete elements (exposed, painted, or finished surfaces)
• Concrete steps, lintels, sills, and specialty precast shapes
• Stone slabs (where surface protection is required)
• Metal plates and slabs (where surface marring must be avoided)

Available Models

Note: The 1/4 ton unit (172-1/4) has a shackle lifting eye. All dimensions shown in inches.

Product Documents

• Download Catalog — Caldwell Master Catalog Page 194

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will the Model 172 scratch or mark a finished concrete surface?
A: No. The polyurethane contact pads are specifically selected to grip cured concrete without abrasion, scratching, or marring. This makes the Model 172 suitable for architectural and exposed-finish panels where surface integrity must be maintained through final placement.

Q: Does the operator need to manually set the tong width for each load?
A: No. The Model 172 automatically adjusts its clamping span to the load width as tension is applied during the lift. This eliminates the manual width-setting step and reduces cycle time in production rigging environments.

Q: What is the purpose of the manual latch?
A: The manual latch holds the tong arms in the open position so the tong can be placed onto the load before it engages. This is particularly important when working at elevation or in confined yard spaces where premature closing would complicate placement. The latch releases easily once the tong is correctly positioned on the load.

Q: Which model should I select for my application?
A: Select based on the weight of the heaviest concrete element you will be handling. The 172-1/4 handles up to 550 lb, the 172-1/2 handles up to 1,100 lb, and the 172-1 handles up to 2,200 lb. Do not exceed the rated capacity of the selected model. For loads near the upper limit, also verify the load width falls within the tong's specified range.

Q: Is the Model 172 compliant with ASME standards?
A: Yes. The Model 172 is designed and manufactured in compliance with ASME B30.20, the standard governing below-the-hook lifting devices. This compliance supports use on regulated job sites and facilitates third-party equipment inspection and certification processes.

Q: Can the Model 172 be used on stone or metal surfaces, not just concrete?
A: The Model 172 is primarily designed for cured concrete products, but the Caldwell product line also includes the Model ST Slab Tongs, which are explicitly rated for concrete, stone, and metal slabs requiring surface protection. For non-concrete applications, confirm the appropriate model with Caldwell or your distributor before use.