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The Magswitch MLAY1000x3 heavy lifting magnet paired with the MagDolly Lite — the complete professional system for lifting, moving, and repositioning manhole covers, storm grates, and steel access covers without bending, pinching, or back strain.
911 lb Safe Working Load2,733 lb Max BreakawayNo Power Source RequiredOn/Off Switchable MagnetWorks on Air GapsMade in USA
911 lbs
Safe Working Load (3:1 safety factor)
2,733 lbs
Max breakaway load force
3×
70mm magnets in one lifter
0
Electrical power required
Magswitch MLAY1000x3 — P/N 8100403
911 lb Safe Working Load. Switches Completely On and Off.
911 lbs SWL
The Magswitch MLAY1000x3 is a heavy-duty switchable lifting magnet built around three 70mm rare-earth magnets. A half-turn of the handle switches the magnetic field completely on or off — no electricity, no battery, no hydraulics required.
Ideal for manhole covers, storm grates, steel access covers, flat plates, beams, and pipe. Performs reliably even in the presence of air gaps from rust, paint, and uneven surfaces.
Manhole covers
Storm grates
Steel access plates
Flat & round materials
MagDolly Lite — P/N 81001243
Lift It. Roll It. No Bending. No Pinching.
The MagDolly Lite is a collapsible two-wheel dolly designed specifically to pair with the MLAY1000x3 lifting magnet. Once the magnet grabs the cover, the MagDolly lets one operator tilt, lift, and roll it clear — without ever getting on their knees or using their fingers.
Adjustable handle with three locking positions, three horizontal hook locations, and 6-inch solid rubber wheels. Collapses flat for easy storage on any utility truck.
Collapsible design
6-inch solid wheels
Adjustable handle
One-man operation
Superior Air Gap Performance
Lifts Rusted, Dirty & Uneven Steel Covers.
Unlike traditional lifting magnets, the MLAY1000x3's 70mm deep magnetic field maintains strong hold force even when the cover surface is coated in rust, dirt, paint, or has an uneven surface. Most competitive shunting magnets lose significant hold on imperfect surfaces.
This makes it the go-to tool for real-world municipal and utility work — where manhole covers and storm grates are rarely clean and flat.
The MLAY1000x3 + MagDolly Lite System. Everything You Need.
Two purpose-built tools that work together as a complete manhole cover and storm grate lifting system for utility crews, municipalities, and contractors.
P/N: 8100403 · The Lifter
Magswitch MLAY1000x3 Heavy Duty Lifting Magnet
911 lb Safe Working Load (3:1 safety factor)
2,733 lb max breakaway force
Three 70mm rare-earth magnets
Mechanical on/off — no power source needed
Dual swivel hook — horizontal & vertical lift
Lock in both ON and OFF positions for safety
Replaceable/customizable pole shoes
Superior air gap performance (rust, dirt, paint)
Net weight: 36.5 lbs / 16.6 kg
Magnetic pole footprint: 255.0 × 97.6 mm
P/N: 81001243 · The Dolly
Magswitch MagDolly Lite Collapsible Transport Dolly
Designed to pair with MLAY1000 series lifters
Collapsible frame — stores flat on any truck
6-inch solid rubber wheels for field durability
Adjustable handle — 3 locking positions
3 horizontal hook locations for load control
3 vertical hook height options
One-man operation — no second crew member needed
Eliminates bending, kneeling & finger pinch risk
Net weight: 27 lbs / 12 kg
Made in USA
Technical Data
Magswitch MLAY1000x3 & MagDolly Lite Full Specifications
Complete technical specifications for both components of the heavy duty manhole cover lifting system.
Why the Magswitch Heavy Duty Manhole Cover Lifting System Is the Professional Standard.
Six reasons utility crews, municipalities, and contractors rely on the MLAY1000x3 + MagDolly Lite system.
Switchable Magnetic Technology — No Power Needed
A half-turn of the handle switches 2,733 lbs of magnetic force completely on or off. No electricity, no batteries, no hydraulics — pure mechanical control on every job.
Eliminates Back Injuries from Manhole Cover Lifting
No more bending over, kneeling down, or jamming fingers under heavy covers. The MagDolly Lite keeps the operator fully upright and in control from attachment to placement.
One-Man Manhole Cover Removal — No Second Crew Member
The complete system is designed for solo operation. One operator, one tool, one motion — attach, lift, roll, clear. Multiply crew efficiency across your entire fleet of covers.
Works on Rusted, Dirty & Uneven Grate Surfaces
The 70mm deep magnetic field maintains strong hold force through rust, dirt, paint, and surface irregularities — unlike competitive shunting magnets that lose capacity on imperfect surfaces.
Collapsible Dolly Stores on Any Utility Truck
The MagDolly Lite folds completely flat. Takes up minimal space on a service truck, van, or equipment trailer — so it's always with the crew when they need it.
3:1 Safety Factor — OSHA-Compliant Lifting Standard
With a 911 lb safe working load against a 2,733 lb max breakaway, the MLAY1000x3 meets the 3:1 lifting safety standard. Lock-on and lock-off handle positions prevent accidental activation.
Use Cases
Where the Magswitch Manhole Cover Lifter Gets the Call.
Built for every application where heavy steel covers, grates, and access plates need to be lifted and moved.
Municipal Water & Sewer Utility Crews
Daily manhole cover removal and replacement for inspection, maintenance, and repair of sewer mains, water mains, and underground infrastructure.
Storm Drain & Stormwater Grate Lifting
Removes heavy cast iron and ductile iron storm grates for stormwater system cleaning, inspection, and access — without hook tools or pry bars.
Valve Box & Access Cover Removal
Works on water valve boxes, gas access covers, telecommunications vault lids, and any ferromagnetic steel access cover in the field.
Steel Plate Handling & Fabrication
Lifts flat steel sheets, structural beams, and pipe in fabrication yards, jobsites, and industrial environments — the same magnet, any ferromagnetic load.
Burn Table & Plasma Cut Part Removal
Pulls freshly cut parts off burn tables while the operator stands safely to the side — eliminating contact with sharp edges and hot material.
Contractors & Underground Utility Services
One tool covers every standard ferromagnetic cover configuration on the truck — from residential valve boxes to heavy-duty municipal manholes.
Manual manhole cover removal is one of the most common sources of musculoskeletal injury in utility work. The combination of weight, awkward access, and repetition makes it a leading cause of back injuries, hernias, and finger crush incidents. The Magswitch system eliminates all of it.
The MLAY1000x3 (P/N 8100403) is the switchable lifting magnet — it grips the manhole cover or steel grate with up to 911 lbs of safe working load. The MagDolly Lite (P/N 81001243) is the collapsible wheeled dolly that attaches to the magnet's hook, letting one operator tilt, lift, and roll the cover clear. Together they form a complete one-man manhole cover lifting and transport system.
Yes — this is one of the MLAY1000x3's key advantages over competing switchable magnets. The 70mm deep magnetic field maintains strong hold force through air gaps caused by rust, dirt, paint, and surface irregularities. Most standard shunting magnets lose significant capacity on imperfect surfaces. The MLAY1000x3 is engineered specifically for real-world field conditions.
The system works on any ferromagnetic (cast iron or ductile iron) cover or grate — including municipal manhole covers, storm drain grates, water valve box covers, sewer access lids, gas utility vault lids, and telecommunications access covers. If a standard magnet sticks to it, the MLAY1000x3 will lift it within its rated capacity.
No. The MLAY1000x3 is a fully mechanical switchable magnet. A half-turn of the handle mechanically rotates the internal magnet assembly to switch the field completely on or off. No power source, no battery, no hydraulics — it operates anywhere, regardless of available utilities on the jobsite.
Yes — the MLAY1000x3 and MagDolly Lite are specifically designed for one-man operation. One operator attaches the magnet, switches it on, connects the MagDolly hook, and uses the dolly handle to tilt-lift and roll the cover clear. In demanding applications, up to two operators can work together on the MagDolly handle, but the full system is designed to be run solo.
The MLAY1000x3 has a max breakaway force of 2,733 lbs and a safe working load of 911 lbs — a 3:1 safety factor that meets standard industrial lifting requirements. The handle locks in both the ON and OFF positions to prevent accidental switching during a lift. Never exceed the 911 lb rated safe working load in field operations.
Yes. Intermountain Sales works directly with municipal procurement departments, utility companies, and contractor fleets. Use the Request a Quote button on this page or call us at (303) 762-1070 to discuss bulk pricing, fleet orders, and demo availability across Colorado, Utah, and the Mountain West.
Downloads
Product Documents
Full sales sheets for both components of the Heavy Duty Manhole and Storm Grate Lifter system.
Request a Quote on the Magswitch Heavy Duty Manhole Lifter System.
Municipalities, utilities, and contractors — contact Intermountain Sales for fleet pricing, bulk orders, and demo availability. Serving Colorado, Utah, and the Mountain West.
Distributed by Intermountain Sales, Inc. · Colorado & Utah · Monday–Friday 8am–4pm
Heavy Duty Manhole and Storm Grate Lifter
TheMagswitch LAY Series magnets are engineered with varying sizes to achieve different field depths, providing enhanced control and greater working loads for handling larger workpieces. The MLAY1000x3 is a lightweight yet heavy-duty lifting magnet, ideal for thick sheets, beams, pipes, and even materials with air gaps caused by rust or dirt.
This model features adual swivel hook design for improved load stability and the flexibility to lift both horizontally and vertically. Customizable pole shoes ensure compatibility with a wide range of applications, making the MLAY1000x3 an all-purpose tool perfect for lifting pipes, round objects, and large steel plates.
Specifications
P/N: 8100403 - Magswitch MLAY1000x3
Max Breakaway: 2733 lbs / 1242 kg
Safe Working Load: 911 lbs / 414 kg
Full Saturation Thickness: 3/4" (19.05 mm)
Max Safe Shear: 198 lbs / 90 kg
Minimum Thickness for De-Stack: 3/4" (19.05 mm)
Net Weight: 36.5 lbs / 16.6 kg
Mounting Thread: M8 x 1.25
Overall, Height: 264.52 mm
Magnetic Pole Footprint: 255.0 x 97.6 mm
With its robust design and versatility, the MLAY1000x3 is an essential lifting solution for various industrial applications.
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