The Aardwolf Lifters are compact clamp-lifters for stone slabs of up to 75mm thickness and have a SWL of 1000 Kgs. Traditional devices require a great deal of room to engage the inner face of the slab, which places the slab out of balance and could injure the operator. The Aardwolf Lifters requires only a small movement of the slab to engage and grip the slab, which is generally well below the overbalance angle thus eliminating the danger to the operator. These lifters allows for close packed slabs to be lifted out of racks and containers. Because the clamping mechanism is to the front of the slab, it allows panels to be placed close against walls.