Vetter pneumatic lifting bags from 1 to 172 tonnes — S-TEC 12 bar to 102 t, connectable C-TEC to 172 t, 8-bar Mini, 16 mm Ultra Flat and 1-bar sets — with Rescue42 struts. EN 13731 certified. Price on request.
Vetter GmbH of Germany has been manufacturing pneumatic rescue equipment for over 40 years. Their lifting bag range is the most comprehensive in the world — covering every rescue scenario from a 1-tonne mini bag to a 172-tonne connectable C-TEC set capable of lifting a fully loaded rail car. All bags share common pneumatic fittings, operate from standard compressed air cylinders, and are controlled through the Vetter twin-valve or deadman (pressure guard) controller.
In the UAE, GCC and across Africa, Vetter lifting bags are in active service with civil defence authorities, airport crash fire rescue teams, oil and gas emergency response units and municipal fire brigades. Their spark-free pneumatic operation makes them the standard choice wherever hydraulic tools pose an ignition risk — at fuel spill incidents, petrochemical facilities, LPG terminals and airport runways. Fire and Rescue Tech is the authorised distributor for the complete Vetter range across the Middle East and Africa.
The key to effective rescue lifting is matching the correct bag series to the scenario. Insertion gap, required lift height, load capacity and surface type all influence the selection. The overview below covers each series in the Vetter range, with direct links to the dedicated specification page for each series.
| Series | Min. Insertion Gap | Capacity Range | Pressure | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra-Thin | 12 mm | 5T – 20T | 8 bar | Near-zero clearance — first tool when no other bag fits |
| Ultra Flat (UF) | 16 mm | 1T – 10T | 8 bar | Tightest-access first tool — most common restricted-gap scenario |
| Mini Bags | 25 mm | 1T – 68T | 8 bar | Narrow rectangular gaps — wide capacity range in compact form |
| S-TEC (Super-TEC) | 25 mm | 1.3T – 102T | 12 bar | Flat, wide profile — maximum contact area under flat loads |
| C-TEC (connectable) | 28 mm | 30T – 172T | 12 bar | Greater lift height — bags couple tool-free |
| 1-Bar | 30 mm | 3T – 11T (sets to 22T) | 1 bar | Large-area low-pressure lift — fragile loads, USAR debris |
| Wedge Bags | 30–60 mm | 6T | 1 bar | Bus/coach rescue and door/hatch forcing — tapered profile |
The S-TEC and C-TEC are the flagship Vetter high-pressure lifting bags — both rated at 12 bar (174 psi), S-TEC in 14 sizes from 1.3 to 102 tonnes and C-TEC in three sizes of 30, 75 and 172 tonnes. The key difference is shape and lift height. S-TEC bags are flat and wide, designed to maximise the contact area under large flat loads such as vehicle underbodies, concrete slabs and industrial equipment bases. C-TEC bags combine the lifting power of a high-pressure bag with the lift height of Vetter's 1-bar bags, and they connect to each other without tools — two or more bags can be coupled in seconds when a single bag will not give enough height.
| Rescue Scenario | Recommended Series | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle extrication — standard clearance | S-TEC or C-TEC | High capacity, wide lift area, fast inflation |
| Vehicle extrication — very low clearance | Ultra Flat or Ultra-Thin | 16mm or 12mm insertion profile |
| Building collapse — USAR | 1-Bar or Ultra-Thin | Large area low-pressure for debris, or slim profile for tight voids |
| Industrial lifting — machinery recovery | S-TEC large models (47T–102T) | High tonnage capacity for heavy plant |
| Rail accident — train re-railing | S-TEC or C-TEC | High capacity — supplemented with LUKAS re-railing equipment |
| Aircraft rescue — door forcing | Wedge Bags or Mini | Spark-free, compact, fits aircraft frame geometry |
| Confined space — narrow access | Mini Bags | Rectangular profile fits deep into narrow openings |
| Oil and gas — plant recovery | Any Vetter series | Pneumatic = spark-free; no hydraulic fluid contamination risk |
Every Vetter lifting bag is tested and certified to EN 13731, the European standard for rescue lifting bags used by professional rescue services. EN 13731 specifies performance requirements for lifting force, pressure holding, deformation and failure modes. All bags are CE marked and carry individual production test certification. The Vetter range operates across two pressure levels:
We supply Vetter bags, controllers and Rescue42 struts as complete systems. Contact us with your scenario and we will specify the right equipment.
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