Mobile fall protection systems and carts
Malta Dynamics XSERIES and Tie Down mobile fall protection: towable grabbers, davit anchors, penetrating and non-penetrating roof carts. Buy or rent. Call 949-954-6581.
What a mobile fall protection system is
A mobile fall protection system is a freestanding, relocatable anchor. It gives you a compliant tie-off point on a surface that has none, which is the situation on most large low-slope roofs, on leading edge work, and anywhere a permanent anchor was never designed in. The unit provides the anchorage, you provide the harness and connecting device.
These systems exist because the alternative on a bare roof is either no tie-off, or improvised anchorage that will not hold. On a big-box roof or a tilt-up there is frequently nothing structural within reach.
Penetrating or non-penetrating: the first question
A penetrating system anchors through the roof deck and the penetration is patched afterwards. It is secure and compact. A non-penetrating system uses ballast or counterweight and never breaches the membrane, which matters on TPO, EPDM and any roof under warranty where a penetration voids cover. Ask the roof warranty question before you choose, because it decides for you more often than the fall distance does.
Railcar, rail and industrial applications
Loading and unloading railcars, tankers and trailers puts workers at height on a surface with no anchorage and a fall clearance that is often too short for a standard lanyard. Mobile systems with a mast and rigid arm are used here specifically because the anchor sits overhead rather than at foot level, which is what makes the arrest distance work.
Buy or rent
Renting fits a defined scope: a re-roof, a shutdown, a leading edge phase, or a second crew. Buying fits continuous multi-site use. See fall protection rental and the rental rate sheet.
Frequently asked questions
What is a mobile fall protection system?
A freestanding, relocatable anchor point that provides compliant tie-off on a surface with no permanent anchorage, such as a large low-slope roof, a leading edge, or alongside railcars and trailers.
When does OSHA require fall protection?
In construction, generally at 6 feet above a lower level under 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1). Scaffolds have their own trigger at 10 feet under 1926.451, and steel erection at 15 feet under 1926.760. In general industry the trigger is 4 feet under 29 CFR 1910.28. The height is only the trigger; the obligation is to provide a compliant system, and on a bare roof that usually means bringing the anchorage with you.
Can I rent an XSERIES unit instead of buying it?
Yes. The Malta Dynamics X1250 Mobile Grabber is on our rental fleet, alongside Tie Down PX3 and Squatch carts. Daily, weekly and monthly rates are on the rental rate sheet. Renting suits a defined scope such as a re-roof or a shutdown; buying suits continuous multi-site use.
Which XSERIES model do I need?
It comes down to reach, mast height, how the unit gets to site, and whether the roof can be penetrated. A road-towable unit with a tall mast solves a different problem from a compact cart that has to go up in a lift. Rather than guess from a spec sheet, call 949-954-6581 and describe the roof, the work and the access.
How many workers can tie off at one time?
It depends on the unit. The Tie Down PX3 supports up to five workers at once, three in fall arrest and two in fall restraint. The Squatch supports up to seven. Never exceed the rated number of simultaneous users for the specific unit, and remember that capacity and fall clearance are separate questions.
Does mobile fall protection work on a flat roof without penetrating it?
Yes. Non-penetrating systems such as the Tie Down Squatch use ballast or counterweight and never breach the membrane, which is what you need on TPO, EPDM and warranted roofs where a penetration voids the cover.
What is the difference between a mobile grabber and a davit system?
A mobile grabber is a self-contained wheeled or towable unit that carries its own counterweight and mast, so it can be repositioned across a roof. A davit is an arm that sets into a base or socket, usually fixed or semi-permanent, and is commonly used for suspended access and confined space entry over an opening. A grabber travels with the work; a davit serves a location.
For confined space entry over a vertical opening see confined space equipment.
