Tote-Em-Pole is an innovative hoist that
gives framing contractors an affordable way
to lift trusses up to three stores high. In fact,
New England Builder was all set to display
the product in our special December tool
section, when we received a strongly worded
memo from the Truss Plate Institute (TPI).
The memo warned that the Tote-Em-Pole
literature prominently displayed a dangerous
lifting technique — lifting trusses from a single
line fastened at the peak (see photo). The
proper technique is to always use a sling with
at least two lift points, according to TPI.
Regarding the one point lift, the TPI
memo states: "Depending on the truss configuration
this practice can cause a stress
reversal