Spreader bars are also used by vehicle breakdown recovery and towing services. Recovery spreader bars for breakdown trucks This is very convenient, for example, to enable you to position the load horizontally depending on the centre of gravity. Being able to adjust the width or length means that the lifting gear can be easily adapted to suit your individual application. These beams provide variable mounting options for the attachment points or allow the length of the beams to be adjusted. Adjustable beams offer users even greater flexibility. Here at ProLux, we offer a wide selection of lifting gear that has been designed in-house. This lifting technique avoids damage to the bodywork. When lifting a car, for example, it is better if the slings are angled away from the vehicle. lifting straps, are positioned from the frame or beam either vertically or at an angle depending on the width of the load. These lifting frames distribute the load evenly over four attachment points. In particular, our lifting frames with four suspension points (‘H’ lifting frames) are very popular lifting devices for use with vehicles. Our spreader beams and lifting frames are universal lifting devices suitable for a variety of different loads and applications, including car recovery. Additional details about lifting beams and spreader bars can be found at Engineered Lifting Technologies by clicking here.Inspection equipment/measuring instrumentsĪssembly and uses for ProLux spreader beams and lifting frames Read the entire article by clicking here. A lifting beam is simple to use, requires less overhead clearance and rigging but its costs are considerably higher and stability is less than lifting beams. A lifting beam absorbs most of the stress of the load, while the spreader bar shares that stress with the slings. The design of each of these devices determines how force is transmitted and how it’s used. What are the differences between the two? Forces are compressive instead of bending. The spreader bar is lighter, more compact, and less expensive than a lifting beam, and designed for the weight to be distributed equally across the length of the bar. They’re most often used for very wide or heavy loads. Two lugs on top of the bar are each attached at an angle with a chain or sling that is connected to the crane. Lifting beams are ideal in locations with limited headroom, such as inside a building or underneath a structure.Ī spreader bar, also called a spreader beam, is a simple bar that holds two slings apart and distributes the weight over two or more pick points. The beam is designed to bend slightly at both ends as the object is lifted, thereby causing the stress to be placed on the bottom slings and through the beam itself. The object to be lifted is attached to the lugs with a hook or sling. Two lugs are located underneath the beam which can be placed in fixed or variable positions. The CL of Charlotte website recently published a helpful article that explains the difference.Ī lifting beam is composed of a simple design: a horizontal beam hangs at a single attachment point on the top surface which connects directly to the crane or hoist. Both tools attach to the hook of the crane, but the variation between them is sometimes confusing. When it comes to lifting a load with a crane, in most cases the operator must decide between using a lifting beam or a spreader bar to properly stabilize and distribute the weight of the object being lifted. Lifting Beam or Spreader Bar – What’s the Difference?