Spreader Beam

Fixed, Adjustable, Modular & Telescopic Spreader Beams — 100 kg to 180 Tonnes, Spans to 25 m

A spreader beam is a horizontal member hung from the crane hook on two suspension slings that form a V, with the load suspended below it on vertical slings. That arrangement changes what the beam has to do. The upper slings are inclined, and their horizontal components put the beam into pure compression — it works as a strut, not as a beam in bending. For the same capacity and span that usually makes it the lighter, shallower and more stable solution. We manufacture fixed, adjustable, modular and telescopic spreader beams and lifting spreader beams from 100 kg to 180 tonnes, in spans to 25 m, proof load tested before dispatch.

• The load is never squeezed — lower slings hang vertically, so the pick points do not pull inward on the load
• Lighter for the same job — a beam in compression needs less steel than one in bending at equal span
• More stable under load — the upper V slings resist sway and rotation
• Adjustable, modular or telescopic — one beam covers a range of load lengths and spans

Key Features of Our Spreader Beam

Spreader Beam vs Lifting Beam

The two names are often used interchangeably, but the rigging is different and so is the way the steel is loaded. It is worth knowing which one your lift actually needs, because the choice changes the headroom, the beam’s weight and how it behaves over the load.

How a Spreader Beam Works

There are two separate sling systems on a spreader beam, and they do different jobs. The upper rigging runs from the crane hook down to the suspension lugs on top of the beam — usually two slings, so the beam hangs in a V. The lower rigging runs from the load attachment points on the underside of the beam straight down to the load. The upper slings are inclined; the lower slings are vertical.

It is the inclination of the upper slings that defines the spreader beam. Each upper sling carries a share of the load, and because it is not vertical, part of that tension pulls sideways along the beam. Both slings pull inward, so the beam is squeezed — loaded in pure compression — and the amount depends entirely on how steep the upper slings are.

Setting the top slings

Steeper top slings mean less compression in the beam but a taller rig; shallower slings mean a lower rig but a much heavier compressive load. The table shows how quickly that changes.

In practice the top slings are usually set between about 45° and 60° from the horizontal. Going shallower than 45° starts to drive the compression up sharply and also forces very long slings, so it is rarely the economical answer. Tell us the headroom and the load length and we will size the suspension points so the rig works at a sensible angle.

Types of Spreader Beam

Technical Specifications

Capacity and Span Range

Span drives the design. Because the beam carries axial compression, doubling the span raises the compression load and the buckling length together — so the section grows quickly, though less quickly than it would for a beam in bending. The table shows the practical span range for each capacity band. Tell us the capacity, the span and the number of lower attachment points and we will confirm the section and the beam’s own weight.

Design, Testing and Documentation

• Designed against your load case — rated capacity, span, the top sling angle, the number and position of lower attachment points and the headroom available are all design inputs, not afterthoughts.
• Compression and buckling checked — because the beam works as a strut, the design checks axial capacity, buckling over the unbraced length and the end connection details, not just bending stress.
• Full-penetration welding — lug plates and end fittings are welded by qualified welders, with weld inspection records available on request.
• Proof load tested — every beam is proof load tested to 125 % of its rated capacity before dispatch, and the test certificate is issued with the beam.
• Clearly marked — rated capacity, tare weight, serial number and year of manufacture are marked on the beam.

Applications

• Pipes, tube bundles and bar bundles where the load must stay level and unmarked
• Fabricated tower sections, cans and pressure vessel shells
• Long steel sections, rails, beams and piling
• Precast concrete panels, beams and pile sections
• Steel plate and sheet packs, and coated or painted surfaces
• Timber packs, board bundles and palletised loads
• Container and containerised cargo handling in ports and yards
• Wind turbine components and other long, heavy fabricated parts

Adjustable, Modular and Telescopic Options

Very few lifts are identical, so most spreader beams we build are adjustable in some way. These are the three approaches, and they solve different problems:

• Adjustable lower attachment points — a row of pin holes or a sliding bracket along the beam. Use this to match different load lengths and to trim the pick points until an off-centre load hangs level. The span stays fixed.
• Telescopic beam — the span itself changes. An inner section slides inside the outer and locks with pins, so one beam covers a range of load lengths on site.
• Modular beam — the beam is made from bolt-together sections. It ships in manageable pieces, is assembled at the span the lift needs, and can be reconfigured as requirements change. The usual choice when spans are long or when transport and storage space is limited.

Customisation and OEM Service

• Capacity and span — 100 kg to 180 t, spans to 25 m, or a one-off design outside that range
• Suspension and attachment points — 2, 4, 6 or more; fixed, multi-position, sliding or telescopic
• Complete rigging sets — matched upper suspension slings, lower slings, shackles and hooks supplied with the beam
• Section and finish — box, H-section or truss; safety yellow, your own colour, or hot-dip galvanised for outdoor and marine use
• Marking and documentation — your own tag format, part numbers, drawings and certificates

Quality Control

Each beam is checked on dimensions, plate thickness, weld quality, lug and hole geometry and surface finish before testing, then proof load tested and re-inspected. We have manufactured lifting equipment for industrial, construction, port and power customers for close to three decades — including 100-tonne class lifting belts and large-tonnage lifting devices — and we keep the process visible: on request we supply the material certificate, the weld record, the general arrangement drawing and the proof load test certificate for your beam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Products

• Lifting Beam & Below-the-Hook Beams
• All Lifting Beam & Spreader Beam Products
• Lifting Hooks & Swivel Hooks
• Wire Rope Slings
• Lifting Chains & Chain Slings
• Steel Coil Lifting Devices