How Do I Identify Which Frigid Casket Lowering Device I Have?
Updated: 22 hours ago
If you have a Frigid casket lowering device and are unsure which model it is, the first thing to look for is the original identification plate.
On newer Frigid devices, the plate is located on the main A-head, where the crank handle is inserted. That plate identifies the model and includes the serial number and other equipment information.
Unfortunately, on older devices, those plates are not always still usable. After years of cemetery use, they can become damaged, unreadable, partially removed or completely missing.
When the identification plate is no longer available, the physical design of the device becomes one of the easiest ways to determine which model you have.
Fortunately, the Master, Imperial and Standard have recognizable differences in their head shapes and cap profiles, making them fairly easy to narrow down once you know what to look for.
Other Visual Clues That Point to a Frigid Device
Frigid lowering devices also have several recognizable design features that can help distinguish them from equipment made by other manufacturers.
These include the appearance and design of the brake handles and tube locks, along with the overall construction and machining of the device.
Once you are familiar with Frigid equipment, those features become relatively easy to recognize even when the original identification plate is damaged or missing.
For determining the specific Frigid model, however, the shape of the heads and caps is one of the simplest visual places to start.
Frigid Imperial
A Frigid Imperial typically has a smaller head with a more pronounced rounded or domed cap.
That dome-shaped profile is one of the easiest visual clues separating an Imperial from a Master.
Quick visual clue: Smaller head + more pronounced domed cap = Imperial
Frigid Imperial head profile. The Imperial typically has a smaller head with a more pronounced domed cap.
Frigid Master
A Frigid Master typically has a larger, more rounded head with a flatter cap profile.
The cap may still have some curvature, but compared with an Imperial, the top appears noticeably flatter and broader.
Quick visual clue: Larger rounded head + flatter cap = Master
Frigid Master head profile. The Master typically has a larger rounded head with a flatter cap.
Frigid Standard
The older Frigid Standard lowering device can sometimes be confused with an Imperial because it also has a more rounded or domed cap.
The easiest difference to notice is the shape of the head underneath the cap.
The Standard has a more distinctive teardrop-style head profile, giving it a noticeably different overall shape from the Imperial.
Quick visual clue: Domed cap + teardrop-style head = Standard
Frigid Standard head profile. The Standard has a domed cap with a more distinctive teardrop-style head shape.
The Standard is still a very capable lowering device and many remain in service today. However, parts for older Standard models are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain, which makes correctly identifying the device especially important before planning repairs or ordering parts.
Why Correct Model Identification Matters
Knowing whether you have a Master, Imperial or Standard can help when requesting service or repair, replacement parts, parts availability information, or a repair estimate.
Different models can use different components, so ordering based on a guess can create unnecessary problems.
If the identification plate is missing or unreadable and you are still unsure which model you have, send Cantrell’s clear photos of the heads and the complete lowering device. In many cases, the model can be identified visually before a technician arrives onsite or the equipment is sent in for service.
The Bottom Line
If the original Frigid identification plate is still readable, that is the best place to start.
If it is missing or damaged, look at the physical features:
Imperial: smaller head with a more pronounced domed cap Master: larger rounded head with a flatter cap Standard: domed cap with a more teardrop-style head
Those visual differences can usually narrow down which Frigid lowering device you have without taking anything apart.
NEED HELP WITH YOUR EQUIPMENT?
Have a question about what your equipment is doing? Tap the chat button in the bottom-right corner of your screen and ask us. Tell us what you're seeing, hearing, or experiencing, and include photos or video when helpful.
No sales pitch — just practical equipment support.
Need professional service for this equipment?