How it Works
What does it do?
The Butterfly Lift is an intuitive manual counterweight flying system for human payloads up to 350 lbs or non-human payloads up to 500 lbs. in weight. With a Butterfly Lift you can:
- Swiftly lower a payload line to a stage.
- Attach a load or performer on the payload line.
- Immediately unlock a pre-set counterweight and raise/lower the load or performer with minimal manual effort.
- Smoothly fly the load or performer at variable speeds perfect for live performance. Max speed varies with operator technique and strength but speeds of 6 fps (feet per second) to 8 fps are typical.
- Land the load or dismount the performer from the apparatus while retaining control of the counterweight via a foot-operated locking system.
- Immediately retract the payload line from view.
Installation
The Butterfly Lift is adaptable to rig in nearly any location of sufficient height and suitable support structure to fly a performer. Careful consideration must be given to suitable anchors and rigging methods when installing the Butterfly Lift. Only individuals properly trained in theater or aerial rigging should perform this task.
Features & Benefits
- Replaces more expensive and complicated motorized winches.
- Provides engineered and tested safety that will be consistently applied to each performance despite the venue.
- Base lock holds counter weight system when there is not performer and the system is unbalanced until the operator depresses the foot pedal releasing the locking mechanism.
- All lift components (minus mounting board) fit within the case.
- Durable case features wheels and handle for ease of transport and can be checked as luggage on flights.
- 2:1 mechanical advantage.
- Retractable payload line quickly raises and lowers apparatus independent of counterweight system.
- A variety of weights can be used: standard theater weights, sand bags, or concrete bags.
What's Included
The Butterfly Lift consists of four main pieces: the case or ballast, head block, brake assembly and mounting board. All pieces, except the mounting board, fit within the Butterfly Lift case in precision-cut foam for efficient transport and storage. The Butterfly Lift is sold in configurations that bundle textile rope in various lengths.
Butterfly Lift User Manual (pdf)
Click Here for a full diagram of the Butterfly Lift:
Standard package will accommodate house ceilings up to 40' high.
Butterfly Lift
- Head Block
- Slewing payload block with fiber rope sheave (Wire rope kit available)
- Operating line double block
- Payload line pass-through becket
Handled case with wheels
- Adjustable arbor rack
- Top and bottom arbor blocks
- Payload line yoke
Base lock assembly
- Base rope lock with foot pedal
- Rope tensioner
- Folding base plate
Payload loft block with fiber rope sheave (Wire rope kit available)
120' 5/8" Operating line
- Double braid poly/poly
- 5/8" (16mm)
- Tensile: 14,400 lbs
- Weight @ 120': 15 lbs
- 2-4% Elongation
120' 7/16 static Payload line
- Double braid poly/poly
- 7/16" (11mm)
- Tensile: 6,600 lbs
- Weight @ 120': 7.7 lbs
- 2-4% Elongation
Specs
BFL Case weight with components: 70 lb
Base and bag: 30lbs
Total rope weight (2): 22.7 lbs
Operating Line: 5/8" diameter x 120'
Payload Line:7/16" dia x 120'
Max Counterweight: 350 lbs (case weight + counterbalance weights)
Max Payload: 350 lbs (human weight + apparatus) 500 lbs (non-live load)
Min Operating height: House height -10'
Max Operating height: 40'