Of all the selection variables in a magnetic push-pull tool programme, tool length has the most direct impact on safety performance. A tool that is too short reduces the safety margin it is meant to provide. A tool that is too long becomes difficult to control precisely and makes fine positioning harder rather than easier. The objective is to match length to the specific task — and to select the shortest length that comfortably achieves the required standoff distance.
Length Selection Guide
| Model | Length | Standoff Class | Best Task Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| MG002 | 2 ft | Close | High-repetition close-quarters positioning; bench and floor-level components; maximum precision |
| MG004 | 4 ft | Close–Mid | Structural alignment; fabrication yard tasks; routine crane-assisted positioning |
| MG006 | 6 ft | Mid–Extended | Larger assemblies; increased standoff from swing and pinch zones |
| MG008 | 8 ft | Extended | Large modules or beam positioning; offshore lifts; high-mass, high-swing loads |
| MG010 | 10 ft | Long | Extended reach where risk assessment demands greater separation |
| MG012 | 12 ft | Maximum | Maximum standoff in the fixed-reach range |
| FG008 | 4–8 ft | Variable | Mixed-task environments; variable standoff requirements; one tool for a range of tasks |
How to Use This Guide
Start from the task, not the tool. Identify the typical standoff distance the work requires — the gap between where the operator needs to stand and where the load's hazard zone begins — and select the shortest length that comfortably achieves that distance. A longer tool than necessary does not add safety margin once adequate standoff is achieved. It primarily adds handling weight and reduces the precision of fine positioning adjustments.
Plants running mixed operations commonly standardise on a mid-length fixed tool (MG004, 4 ft) for daily use, supplemented by an MG008 (8 ft) or the FG008 telescopic pole reserved for larger or higher-swing tasks. This two-tool approach covers the majority of industrial positioning requirements without requiring a large tool inventory.
Fixed Length vs Telescopic Pole
Choose fixed-length tools when the standoff requirement is consistent across tasks: structural rigidity, predictable handling, lighter weight for a given length, and simpler inspection with no extension mechanism to check.
Choose the FG008 telescopic pole when the standoff requirement varies across tasks or shifts — maintenance crews, construction sites, multi-discipline operations with mixed task profiles. One pole covers a range that would otherwise require several fixed-length tools.
Weight and Handling at Extended Reach
As length increases, the leverage required to hold the tool steady at full extension increases even though the absolute weight increase is modest. Operators working at 8–12 ft, or extending the FG008 to its full reach, should brace the handle against the body or a fixed point where practical — rather than holding it purely at arm's length — to maintain control and reduce fatigue across a shift.
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