Abstract: Lifting machinery is often unable to securely hold onto stacked crates and this presents a safety hazard. The invention may be embodied by a crate lifter 1 comprising a support mast 3, a carriage 8 engaged with the mast and rollers 6, 7 that enable the lifter to be moved. The carriage has clamps 9 that move laterally to grip one or more crates 2 so that they can be moved by the carriage up and down the mast. The carriage has a keeper 14 arranged to swing in response to the clamps 9 engaging the crate 2, or the lowest crate to be moved if there is more than one, to bring a ledge 14b of the keeper 14 into engagement with that crate to prevent it dropping free from the carriage.