Lifting Beams & Spreader Bars

Rigging Beams for Lifting

Lifting beams and spreader bars are below-the-hook lifting devices designed to lift heavy loads with a crane safely and efficiently. They come in a variety of lifting capacities and styles - including non-conductive and basket-style - so it's easy to find the right fit for your application.

All of our lifting beams and spreader bars are made in the USA and manufactured to exceed all ASME B30.20 and OSHA regulations. They are proof loaded per OSHA requirements, shipped with certification paperwork, and RFID Tracking Chip-equipped for logistics management.

Do I Need a Lifting Beam or Lifting Spreader Bar?

While lifting beams and rigging spreader bars are similar in that they create a connection point between the load and crane, there are differences that make each suited for different applications.

Rigging Bar Lifting Points

The main difference is the design, which dictates the way the force is transmitted during the lift. A lifting beam is under pressure at the single lifting point and therefore subject to shear and bending, while a spreader beam is designed to work under compression and spreads the load out evenly over a longer area.

Additionally, because there is just one lift point on a lifting beam and bending will occur during lifts, they are required to be larger and heavier than a spreader bar. However, the one point connection design means it works better in applications where there is little headroom.

Lifting Beam Features

A lifting beam is a long I-beam with a link or eye on the top to allow for connection to the crane or other lifting machine's hook. It also has two or more connection points on the underside where the load is connected.

Lifting beams are excellent for general purpose lifting, as well as for lifting weak or flexible loads that require the additional support of other equipment like lifting magnets or a lifting vacuum.

An additional benefit is the ability to lift more than one load at a time, since it is typically designed with two or more connection points. The design and construction make these an ideal choice if there is little headroom available in the lifting area.

Types of Lifting Beams

Additional hardware options are available by request for most of these styles.

Adjustable Low Headroom

These are excellent for lifting applications where limited headroom is an issue. The adjustable design makes it easy to correct for unbalanced loads.

Ultra Low Headroom

These lifting beams have a nested hoist hook that provides additional space.

Economy Adjustable with Shackles

An adjustable design makes adjusting unbalanced loads fast and simple. Manufactured with shackle connections on the bottom. A low profile top connects to loads even in lower profile situations.

Economy Fixed with Shackles

Standard fixed style beam combines shackles on the bottom of each end and an oversized lifting eye on top for quick and easy attachments. Excellent for general warehouse and jobsite use.

Adjustable Lifting Beam with Shackles

Shackles on the bottom provide strong and stable connection points, while the adjustable design lets you quickly and easily adjust a load that's unbalanced. 

Adjustable Lifting Beam with Swivel Hooks

Swivel hooks on the bottom provide fast and easy connection points, while the adjustable design lets you adjust loads out of balance. 

Non-Conductive

Non-conductive construction is engineered with natural spark proof insulation, making it excellent for handling large batteries and other similar cargo. Lift lug is painted in safety yellow for increased visibility. Fitted with two shackles on the bottom that adjust to accommodate different widths. 

Basket

Intended for use with a lifting sling in a basket hitch configuration. Features two sets of low profile, bull-horn style lifting hooks, each designed for a sling with a 2" eye width.

Twin Hoist

Two hoist design creates a stable lift for a variety of cargo when lift is within 5 degrees of vertical. Alloy swivel hook on the bottom is standard.

Plate

Connects to sling with openings on the top of each end; bottom of beam lift is designed with large J-shaped hooks to hold and lift plates.

Container

Designed for lifting soft-side bulk container or other types of flexible containers with lifting loops/webbing. The H-shaped beam configuration features a oversized lifting eye for fast connections. Built-in lugs on each beam keep the loops or webbing of the container from sliding off or inward and unbalancing the container. Lug spaces accommodate up to 3" wide webbing/loops.

Small Length with Bale Top

Shorter length, triangle beam with a bale-style top is ideal for balancing and lifting smaller loads. Manufactured with shackles on the bottom for secure and stable connection points.

Small Length with Shackle Top

A solid triangle design offers stability to loads during lifting, while the shackle points on the bottom and top create secure connections. Shackles are standard.

Rigging Spreader Bar Features

A spreader bar or spreader beam is designed for use with a sling that connects the lifting machine hook to the ends of the beam. The beam typically has connection points on the underside that hook to the cargo for lifting.

Spreader beams distribute the load across more than just one point, resulting in increased stability. They are excellent for applications where the cargo is too large or heavy to be lifted from one singular connection point.

A spreader beam is also ideal for use in situations where load control is important and/or the lift points are far apart. A spreader beam or bar can accommodate a sling on each end of the bar to lift long, narrow cargo held horizontally.

Because the sling legs lengthen the distance from the hook to the cargo, spreader beams as lifting devices are generally a limited option when there is little headroom clearance.

Types of Spreader Bars

Fixed Spreader Beams

Swivel latch hooks on the bottom combine versatility, quick connections, and a secure lock. 

Adjustable Spreader Beams

Like a fixed spreader beam, adjustable spreader beams are excellent for supporting long loads during lifts. The telescopic spreader bar offers additional versatility - the design allows you to adjust the length in 1" increments.

Caldwell Lifting Beams

Caldwell lifting beams are made from Dura-Lite™, a composite that is 1/3 the weight of steel beams!

These durable beams are perfect for marine applications - they won't corrode or rust. They are also non-conductive.

Lifting Slings and Rigging Supplies

We offer a full line of lifting slings, as well as rigging supplies and hardware to complete your lifting setup. Be sure to check our How to Choose a Lifting Sling page for more information on the different types of lifting slings.

Questions?

Not sure what equipment you need for your job? Wondering which product is comparable to a specific Caldwell, Peerless, or other lifting beam? Give our product specialists a call. They'll be happy to go over our lifting beams and help determine which would work best for your application.