Superlift bypasses the overhead crane with a 40,000-pound electric paper roll handler

A floor-level solution for massive paper rolls

The logistics of moving heavy paper rolls inside mills and converting plants have traditionally relied on a narrow set of tools: overhead cranes, which are often tied up with other tasks, or heavy-duty clamp trucks that carry the inherent risk of crushing cores or damaging paper edges. Addressing this operational bottleneck, Myrtle Beach-based Superlift South Inc. has introduced its Electric Paper Roll & Coil Handler, a machine engineered to transport loads of up to 40,000 pounds directly at floor level.

Designed specifically for paper mills, converting facilities, and packaging operations, the new handler allows a single operator to pick up, transport, and position massive rolls without waiting for crane availability. The equipment operates in either a walk-behind or walkie-rider configuration, fundamentally shifting how facilities manage their heaviest inventory by decentralizing the lifting process.

Technical specifications and damage prevention

The core engineering of the Superlift handler focuses on load protection. Rather than applying clamping pressure, the machine is built around the roll. It utilizes adjustable positioning flaps that cradle the paper during transit, combined with tapered pallet roll forks designed to slide under the load without tearing edges or compromising the mandrel.

Built on an all-steel chassis, the handler features a high-torque AC drive (available in single or dual configurations), power steering, electric braking, and a programmable Curtis controller. Operating on either a 24-volt or 48-volt battery system, it utilizes 3 kW motors for both drive and lift functions. The machine maintains a low profile with a 4-inch lowered height and a 9-inch raised height, while its 85-inch turning radius allows for maneuverability in congested production floors.

Operational impact in the paper industry

Gerry Erwin, President of Superlift South Inc., highlighted the specific industrial challenge the equipment addresses. "Anybody in paper knows a roll is two problems at once," Erwin stated. "It can weigh as much as a truck, and one careless lift can ruin it. We built this handler so one operator can pick a big roll up, cradle it, drive it where it belongs and set it down clean—no crane, no forklift, no crushed cores, no waiting."

By eliminating the dependency on overhead infrastructure for routine roll positioning, the Electric Paper Roll & Coil Handler offers a pragmatic upgrade for the corrugated and printing sectors in 2026. It reduces the cumulative trauma risks associated with manual pushing and mitigates the scrap costs generated by aggressive handling methods, providing a streamlined approach to material flow in high-volume paper operations.