Crosby Lifting Clamps
Plate clamps and beam clamps put a lift point directly on the steel without drilling, threading, or fabricating a fixture. On structural steel work, that's not a convenience, it's the production method. Crosby produces a range of lifting clamps covering vertical plate lifting, horizontal plate transport, and beam flange connections across the capacity ranges used in steel fabrication, erection, and heavy rigging.
Holloway Houston is an authorized Crosby distributor stocking lifting clamps in Houston.
About Crosby Lifting Clamps
Crosby lifting clamps are below-the-hook lifting devices that grip the plate or beam flange mechanically, the load of the lift drives the cam mechanism tighter against the steel as the load increases. That self-tightening grip is the design basis for most plate clamp products.
Plate clamps are governed by ASME B30.20-2018 (Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices), which covers design factors, marking, and inspection requirements for below-the-hook hardware in overhead service. Crosby lifting clamps carry WLL markings and are designed in accordance with these requirements.
Clamp selection starts with three parameters: orientation (vertical or horizontal lift), plate thickness range the clamp accommodates, and the required WLL. Crosby's catalog covers the standard combinations found on structural fabrication and erection jobs.
Holloway Houston stocks Crosby lifting clamps in Houston with same-day shipping on in-stock models.
Types of Crosby Lifting Clamps
Vertical Plate Clamps
Vertical plate clamps grip the plate on its edge for vertical lifting, the plate hangs from the clamp. The cam mechanism engages both faces of the plate as load is applied. These are the standard tool for lifting plate from horizontal stock and moving it to a vertical orientation for fit-up and assembly. Crosby vertical plate clamps cover a range of plate thicknesses and WLL ratings.
Horizontal Plate Clamps
Horizontal plate clamps are used in pairs or multiples to carry plate in a horizontal orientation, the plate is gripped from above on both faces and transported flat. The clamp body mounts above the plate surface and the cam engages downward through the plate thickness. Used for horizontal transport of large plates and panels without tipping them vertical.
Beam and Flange Clamps
Beam clamps grip the flange of a structural steel beam for temporary or permanent rigging points. They're used for suspending pipe, cable trays, HVAC equipment, and other building systems from overhead structure, and for providing temporary lift points on beams during erection. Crosby beam clamps are rated per ASME B30.26-2015 (Rigging Hardware).
Crosby Lifting Clamp Sizes and Capacities
Crosby lifting clamps cover plate thickness ranges and WLL ratings across structural steel fabrication and erection applications. Capacity and plate thickness range vary by clamp model — Crosby's catalog data is the reference for specific model specifications.
Parameters by Clamp Type:
- Vertical plate clamps: Plate thickness range and WLL per model
- Horizontal plate clamps: Plate thickness range and WLL per model, typically used in sets of two or more
- Beam clamps: Flange width and WLL per model
Marking:
- WLL marked on the clamp body per ASME B30.20-2018 (Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices) or ASME B30.26-2015 (Rigging Hardware) as applicable
Why Crosby for Lifting Clamps
Crosby lifting clamps are specified on structural steel fabrication and erection jobs where the plate clamp selection is part of the erector's standard tool inventory. The self-tightening cam mechanism, forged steel construction, and ASME B30.20-2018 (Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices) compliance are the technical basis for that specification.
The WLL marking and Crosby's documentation allow clamps to be tracked on equipment registers and through periodic inspection programs, which matters on jobs where below-the-hook devices are subject to third-party inspection.
Holloway Houston also offers rigging inspection services. Our qualified inspectors examine lifting clamps and below-the-hook devices per ASME and OSHA standards.
Shop Crosby Lifting Clamps by Type
- Crosby Vertical Plate Clamps
- Crosby Horizontal Plate Clamps
- Crosby Beam and Flange Clamps
Crosby Lifting Clamp Applications by Industry
- Structural Steel Fabrication : Moving plate stock from horizontal to vertical orientation for fit-up, welding, and assembly operations.
- Structural Steel Erection : Vertical plate picks for column base plates, shear tabs, and floor plate during field erection.
- Shipbuilding and Marine Fabrication : Horizontal and vertical plate handling in panel fabrication shops where plate moves frequently through production stages.
- Heavy Manufacturing : Shop crane work where plate and structural sections are moved and positioned without dedicated lifting fixtures.
- Offshore Platform Fabrication : Structural plate and module component handling in fabrication yards where plate thickness ranges and WLL requirements vary widely.
Why Holloway Houston for Crosby Lifting Clamps
Holloway Houston is an authorized Crosby distributor with over 65 years in rigging and lifting, operating from Houston, Texas. We stock Crosby lifting clamps alongside shackles, hooks, and below-the-hook hardware for complete rigging inventories.
Our rigging specialists can confirm the correct clamp type, plate thickness range, and WLL for your application. We also offer rigging inspection services.
Complete Your Below-the-Hook Inventory
Crosby Shackles : Anchor shackles for connecting lifting clamps to sling assemblies.
Crosby Hooks : Rigging hooks for crane blocks and below-the-hook device connections.
Crosby Hoist Rings : Swivel hoist rings for machinery lift points where plate clamps aren't applicable.
Lifting Clamp Safety and Awareness
Plate lifting clamps fall under ASME B30.20-2018 (Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices). Beam clamps in overhead service may also fall under ASME B30.26-2015 (Rigging Hardware). OSHA 1926.251 references below-the-hook devices in jobsite use.
Key awareness points for lifting clamps in service:
- Lifting clamp WLL applies to the plate thickness range specified in the manufacturer's documentation. Using a clamp on plate outside its rated thickness range can result in reduced grip and loss of load.
- The WLL on a vertical plate clamp applies to vertical orientation. Horizontal plate transport with vertical clamps is outside the design intent.
- Pre-use inspection of lifting clamps covers the cam for wear and full range of motion, the body for cracks or deformation, and the shackle or connecting hardware for condition.
- A lifting clamp that has been shock-loaded warrants removal from service and inspection before further use.
Frequently Asked Questions
A vertical plate clamp grips the plate on its edge and lifts the plate vertically, the plate hangs from the clamp. A horizontal plate clamp grips the plate surface from above and carries it in a horizontal orientation. Horizontal clamps are used in pairs or sets. Using the wrong clamp orientation for the lift is outside the design intent and can result in load loss.
Plate lifting clamps fall under ASME B30.20-2018 (Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices), which covers design factors, marking, and inspection requirements. OSHA 1926.251 references below-the-hook device use in jobsite settings.
Holloway Houston stocks Crosby plate and beam clamps in Houston with same-day shipping on in-stock models. Call 1-888-496-4700 to confirm availability on a specific clamp type, plate thickness range, and WLL.
Painted or coated plate surfaces can affect the cam grip in lifting clamps. Crosby's manufacturer documentation addresses surface conditions and their effect on rated grip. This is a product awareness item, specific guidance is in Crosby's catalog data for each clamp model.
DISCLAIMER
Lifting clamps are load-bearing rigging components. Selection, inspection, and use call for training consistent with ASME B30.20-2018 (Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices) and applicable OSHA standards. The information on this page is provided for general product awareness and does not replace qualified engineering judgment, manufacturer documentation, or site-specific rigging procedures.