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Technical Whitepaper

How grab selection changes coil storage density, automation readiness, and facility capacity.

CareGo’s technical whitepaper compares the major overhead crane grab types used in metal coil handling and shows how each one affects row spacing, automation readiness, safety, throughput, and storage capacity.

What you’ll learn

  • How C-hooks, fixed leg grabs, retractable foot grabs, crazy legs grabs, and electromagnetic magnets compare across the key performance dimensions.
  • Why grab geometry directly affects minimum row spacing and storage density — and how much that difference compounds across a full storage bay.
  • Which grab types best support manual, semi-automated, and fully autonomous crane operation.
  • How a 72-foot storage bay scenario changes across grab types — from 891 coils with a C-hook to 1,434 with electromagnetic handling.
  • Why planning grab selection alongside TELIA automation can help facilities increase storage capacity or recover valuable floor space for processing and packing lines.
The comparison

See how grab choice changes storage density.

The whitepaper compares grab types across row spacing, automation readiness, and 3-high storage capacity in a 72-foot bay scenario using 60-inch coils.

C-Hook

Manual baseline

Row spacing: 36–48 in

Operation: Manual / semi-auto

Where manual coil handling starts to limit density.

891
coils — 3-high, 72-ft bay
Poor automation readiness

Fixed Leg Grab

Practical automation step

Row spacing: ~20 in

Operation: Semi-auto / auto

A practical transition point for automated facilities.

1,113
coils — 3-high, 72-ft bay
Good automation readiness

Retractable Foot Grab

High-density mechanical option

Row spacing: 12–15 in

Operation: Auto-ready

Designed for tighter high-density storage.

1,284
coils — 3-high, 72-ft bay
Excellent automation readiness
Maximum density

Electromagnetic Magnet

Maximum density option

Row spacing: 4–6 in

Operation: Auto-ready

The tightest storage option for steel coils.

1,434
coils — 3-high, 72-ft bay
Excellent automation readiness

From 891 to 1,434 coils in the same 72-foot bay.

That’s 543 additional coils in the 3-high scenario, depending on grab type and configuration.

3-high scenario, 72-ft bay, 60-in coils, standard bunking. Full methodology in the whitepaper.

Rather talk to us?

Book a 30-minute call with the CareGo team.

Planning a coil handling, storage, or crane automation project? Talk through your facility layout, current grab setup, storage goals, and whether TELIA automation could help increase density, reduce manual handling, or recover valuable floor space.