Lifting Beams vs Spreader Bars: What is the Difference
When lifting heavy objects on a worksite, there’s a lot to take into account. In addition to ensuring that you have the proper equipment to hoist the weight of the object or objects you’re lifting, you’ll need to also ensure that you carefully adhere to any applicable safety regulations, follow standard operating procedures, and ensure a clear work area. There are also numerous practical considerations to take, and among them, one of the most important can be that of determining whether to use a lifting beam or spreader bar when attaching the object or objects to your lifting equipment.
But — what are the differences between lifting beams and spreader bars? How do they compare and differ? If you’re wondering, read on. We’ll define both listing beams and spreader bars, discuss their differences, delve into the potential pros and cons that each presents, and explore use cases for both, in which one or the other may be a more optimal choice. Let’s dive in.
What is a Lifting Beam?
A lifting beam is a beam used to distribute force more evenly when lifting a heavy object with lifting equipment such as a crane. Lifting beams are typically secured to the hoisting equipment by a single, centralised anchor point and secured to the load with two or more points spread out across the beam at its ends on the bottom.
In so doing, lifting beams aim to ensure that force is more evenly distributed than it would be if lifting from a single point in the centre of the object being lifted. This can be particularly advantageous for objects that are unwieldy, unevenly weighted, or difficult to secure a hoist to. However, lifting beams, with only one fastening point on their top, are subject to a high degree of bending stress across the beam, particularly if the object being lifted is sufficiently heavy to outweigh the amount of bending resistance the beam offers. That’s where spreader bars often come into play.
What is a Spreader Bar?
Spreader bars, like lifting beams, are used to more evenly distribute weight as heavy objects are being hoisted — yet key differentiators set them apart as an ideal solution in various circumstances. Most notably, spreader bars differ from lifting beams in their basic configuration. While lifting beams are typically secured to the hoisting equipment by a single point, spreader bars are secured to the hoisting equipment by two or even more points. This can offer them superior weight distribution and mitigate the risk of bending the bar itself significantly in so doing.
Key Differences
As we’ve discussed the most notable difference between spreader bars and lifting beams is perhaps their configuration. While lifting beams are secured to the hoisting equipment by a single point, spreader bars spread this weight into two or more points, which when aligned with the points on the bottom of the bar where the weight is attached, leads to far superior bending resistance.
This difference, while simple, does change matters significantly. For one, spreader bars must be used with hoisting equipment with multiple attachment points. Additionally, they require different considerations, such as vertical headroom; with additional support points, spreader bars might take up more space. Still, lifting beams of comparable weight capabilities may be larger and more robust to offset the amount of bending force they must resist.
Pros and Cons – Lifting Beam vs. Spreader Bar
There are a number of pros and cons to each choice. That’s why, for various circumstances, it’s likely that one or the other may be more suitable. Let’s compare the spreader bar vs. the lifting beam to better understand:
Lifting Beam Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Simplicity of attachment, reducing the need for additional slings or multiple mounting points. | Risk of bending due to high bending stress, necessitating robust construction. |
| Fewer top attachment points required, potentially reducing the need for headroom and making them suitable for tight spaces. | May be heavier and sometimes more expensive than a spreader bar with comparable weight capacity. |
Advantages
Lifting beams offer some solid potential benefits. Among these, the simplicity of attachment can be a major one. Without the need to attach additional slings or ensure there are multiple mounting points on the hoisting equipment, they may be much simpler to set up and use. Finally, with fewer top attachment points, they may require less headroom and may be more suitable for tight spaces.
Disadvantages
One of the most notable potential drawbacks of using a lifting beam is the risk of bending the bar. Lifting beams face a lot of bending stress and must be sufficiently robust to counter it. As such, a lifting beam may be much heavier and even sometimes more expensive than a spreader bar of comparable weight capacity.
Spreader Bar Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Able to resist bending with less material due to evenly spread weight and alignment of attachment points. | May necessitate more complex rigging, including additional slings and hardware. |
| Can be built to the same level of load-bearing capability as lifting beams with less material, potentially making them less expensive and unwieldy. | Configuration may take longer and require more headroom. |
Advantages
One of the most notable benefits of spreader bars is that they’re able to resist bending with far less material. Since the hoist attachment points spread the weight more evenly and are often more closely aligned with the bottom attachment points, they typically face much less bending force and instead face tensile force. This often means that they can often be built to the same level of load-bearing capability as a lifting beam with much less material, making them sometimes less expensive and less unwieldy.
Disadvantages
A particularly notable potential disadvantage of using spreader bars is that they may necessitate the use of more complex rigging; they might require additional rigging hardware such as additional slings, take longer to configure, and also take up more headroom as a result.
Choosing The Right Hardware: When to Use a Lifting Beam or Spreader Bar
You may be wondering when to use a lifting beam or a spreader bar, and the short answer is that it depends. As we’ve discussed, each can offer its own unique benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to consider the needs of the project at hand. For example, if you’re short on headroom, a lifting beam may be the ideal option.
Additionally, if the object you’re lifting is significantly heavier on one side, a lifting beam may be the better option for two key reasons: Firstly, lifting beams often feature adjustable bottom attachment points. These can be dynamically spaced to accommodate the uneven weight distribution of the load. Secondly, a lifting beam is designed to consolidate multiple points of weight into a single hoist point, while a spreader bar may pose the risk of putting less weight on one sling than the other.
Conversely, in a situation in which you need to carefully preserve the integrity of the object being lifted, a spreader bar may offer you the even weight distribution you need to keep it safe as it’s being lifted. Similarly, very wide objects may benefit from being lifted with a spreader bar, which can more evenly distribute their downward force as they’re being lifted. With additional slings and rigging, spreader bars also may be used in situations in which stability is a prime consideration.
Scenario: Lifting an Unevenly Weighted Container
Context: A construction project requires the lifting of an unevenly weighted container. The container’s weight is not uniformly distributed; one side is significantly heavier due to the type of materials stored inside. The lifting task needs to be performed in a constrained space with limited headroom, and maintaining the integrity of the container without bending or damage during the lift is crucial.
Lifting Beam Application:
- A lifting beam is chosen for its ability to handle unevenly weighted loads effectively. Our lifting beam hire range, for example is designed to be attached at a single central point on the crane or hoisting equipment.
- The lifting beam’s feature of multiple lifting points along its length allows for adjustable positioning of hooks or slings. This adjustability is critical for balancing the container’s uneven weight. By strategically placing the lifting points under the heavier side, the beam ensures the load is balanced and stable.
- Given the limited headroom, the lifting beam’s compact design is advantageous. Its single attachment point to the crane requires less vertical space than a spreader bar setup, which is essential in this scenario.
Spreader Bar Application:
- Considering the same container with an even weight distribution, a spreader bar would be the preferred choice for lifting a symmetrically loaded object. Our end cap spreader bar for example, is designed to distribute the load’s weight across two or more points on the lifting machine.
- The spreader bar’s dual or multiple attachment points to the crane align with the container’s lifting points, ensuring a balanced lift. This setup prevents bending by distributing the container’s weight evenly through the bar, which is particularly beneficial for maintaining the structural integrity of long or flexible items.
- In scenarios requiring high stability and even weight distribution for symmetrically loaded or very wide objects, the spreader bar’s configuration minimizes the risk of load tipping or swinging, providing a safer lifting operation.
Illustrative Example
- Lifting Beam Use:The lifting team adjusts the beam’s attachment points to align with the container’s center of gravity, countering the uneven weight distribution. The beam’s robust design resists bending stress, ensuring the load remains level and secure throughout the lift, even in the tight space.
- Spreader Bar Use: For a different lift where the container is evenly loaded or for very wide objects requiring stability, the spreader bar’s use ensures even distribution of weight across its length. The bar’s multiple lifting points on the crane and the container ensure a balanced and secure lift, ideal for preserving the container’s integrity without risk of bending.
The Bottom Line
Both lifting beams and spreader bars have their place in lifting heavy objects. They both offer the ability to evenly distribute weight as we hoist objects — but how do we decide which one to use? That’s where a solid understanding of each option comes in; with their distinct configurations that take advantage of different physics, it’s important to understand the distinction between these two necessary hoisting components. By thoroughly understanding their key differences, pros and cons, and potential use cases, you’ll be able to better position yourself to make the right call when the time comes.
If you’re ready to get going and you’ve decided on what equipment you’re going to need for your project, don’t hesitate to get in touch today. At Lifting Gear Hire and Sales, we hire a range of spreader bars and lifting beams to meet a wide range of needs. To learn more or get started, reach out today.
