Spreader Bar or Lifting Beam?
Choosing Between a Spreader Bar and Lifting Beam
By: Jimmy Laub
If you’re lifting a load with multiple pick points, wide dimensions, or low clearance, you’ve likely asked:
“Should I use a spreader bar or a lifting beam?”
While both are considered below-the-hook lifting devices, they work in very different ways. Choosing the wrong one can affect load stability, lifting angles, and even safety.
At Fulcrum Lifting, we supply both from industry leading vendors. Here's how to know which one is right for your lift.
What Is a Spreader Bar?
A spreader bar is a type of rigging frame that uses two or more top rigging connections, with slings in tension, and the bar itself in compression. The load is picked from multiple points underneath the bar, keeping the rigging vertical and the lifting points spread apart.
Key characteristics:
- Reduces compressive force on the load
- Keeps sling angles near vertical
- Ideal for long, flexible, or crushable loads
Common applications:
- Modular buildings
- Pipes and tanks
- Large industrial equipment
- Fragile materials or crates
What Is a Lifting Beam?
A lifting beam supports the weight of the load through its own bending strength, typically using one or two top lifting points. The load is suspended from multiple bottom pick points, often spaced across the length of the beam.
Key characteristics:
- Can lift from a single crane hook
- Handles uneven or offset load geometry
- Great for low headroom or fixed-lifting environments
Common applications:
- Lifting with limited vertical clearance
- Balanced or uneven loads
- Lifting multiple items simultaneously
- Bridge construction, precast concrete
Spreader Bar vs. Lifting Beam: Key Differences
| Feature | Spreader Beam | Lifting Beam |
| Top rigging Points | 2+ (slings in tension) | 1 (lifting beam in tension) |
| Bottom Pick Points | 2+ | 2+ |
| Load Distribution | Vertical load via slings | Load supported by beam frame |
| Sling Angles | Nearly vertical | Varies - can be angled |
| Headroom Required | More (due to upper rigging) | Less - better for low headroom |
| Use Case | Wide, flexible, crushable loads | Precise control in tight spaces |
Which Should You Use?
Use a spreader bar if:
- Your load is long, wide, or fragile
- You want to minimize compressive force
- Sling angles must remain vertical
Use a lifting beam if:
- You’re limited on vertical clearance
- You need to pick from multiple points with a single hook
- The load weight is distributed unevenly
Need a Custom Lifting Device?
Fulcrum Lifting supplies both off-the-shelf and custom-fabricated spreader bars and lifting beams, including engineered options rated to ASME B30.20 standards from leading manufacturers like Caldwell Lifting Solutions, Peerless, and M&W Maching & Welding as well as others.
Need help designing a custom beam or bar?
We’ll help you match the right dimensions, connection points, and load ratings to your application. Call us or request a quote today to get started.