Where and How Do You Use a Lifting Beam?
- Max sling angle is 90 degrees
- Work in compression
- higher capacity approximately 5:1
You use a lifting beam whenever vertical space is your biggest constraint. Because it connects directly to the crane hook via its top bail, it eliminates the need for the tall A-frame rigging that a spreader bar requires. This makes it the only choice for many indoor lifts.
The connection is simple: the crane hook attaches to the top bail, and the load is connected to the bottom lugs with slings. The beam itself does all the work of distributing the load.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Lifting Beams
Advantages
- Low Headroom: Its primary benefit is its ability to work in areas with limited vertical clearance.
- Multiple Pick Points: Lifting beams can be designed with many attachment points on the underside, making them ideal for supporting loads that need support along their length to prevent sagging.
- Handling Unbalanced Loads: Specialty models with an adjustable bail allow you to shift the lift point to match the load’s center of gravity, preventing dangerous tilting.
- Simpler Rigging: In some cases, the single top attachment can simplify the rigging process compared to a spreader bar's top sling assembly.
Disadvantages
- Heavy and Costly: They use more material to resist bending, making them heavier and generally more expensive than spreader bars.
- Less Suited for Wide Spans: As the span increases, the weight and size of the beam required to handle the bending forces grow quickly, making it impractical for very wide loads.
- Can Introduce Bending: The beam itself is bending, and it doesn't protect the load from that force. It's best used with rigid loads that can support their own weight between the pick points.
Related Topics To Spreader Bar
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