The main types of load beams.
Beam, spreader, C, H, and fork crossbeams: how they differ and what they are used for.
Load spreaders are used to safely lift machinery, equipment, and other heavy or bulky loads with a crane. The appropriate spreader depends, among other factors, on the weight, dimensions, center of gravity, lifting points, and load geometry.
What is a load crossbeam?
A load crossbeam is a load-handling device used between a crane and a load. It allows a load to be lifted at one or more specific points and distributes the forces generated during lifting in a controlled manner.
Especially when dealing with long, wide, delicate, or geometrically complex components, a suitable lifting beam can make safe and controlled handling much easier. The design to be used should therefore always be determined based on the specific load and the intended lifting operation.
Which load crossbeam is the right one?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The specific lifting task is always the deciding factor.
Before making a selection, you should consider at least the weight and dimensions of the load, its center of gravity, available attachment points, load geometry, required lifting height, available space, and the planned work sequence. Especially for machines and special components, a custom-designed spreader may be more appropriate than a standard solution.
Standard crossbeam or custom crossbeam?
Standardized lifting beams are well-suited for recurring and comparable lifting tasks. However, for specialized machinery, unusual geometries, or defined production processes, a standard solution is not always sufficient.
In such cases, the lifting device can be designed specifically for the application. For example, attachment points, center of gravity, dimensions, available installation height, and desired handling are all taken into account during the design phase.
Beam Truss: The Versatile Solution
The beam girder is one of the most common types of girders. It essentially consists of a horizontal load-bearing member with an upper mounting point for the crane and several possible attachment points for the load. It is particularly suitable for long or compact loads that have two or more attachment points along a single axis.
Typical applications include machines and machine components, steel structures, beams, pipes, precast concrete elements, and long plant components. One advantage is the relatively simple and robust design. Depending on the model, the attachment points are either fixed or adjustable, which means that a crossbeam can sometimes be used for different load lengths.
Particularly suitable for
Long, narrow loads, machine components, beams, and general lifting and transport tasks.
Spreader Beam: When Lateral Forces Need to Be Reduced
With a spreader beam, the load is supported by a spreader sling assembly. This prevents or reduces the slings from compressing the load laterally. This is particularly useful for long, large, or delicate components.
Spreader beams are used, for example, for pipes, tanks, long structures, plant components, or delicate parts. Another advantage is that they allow for large distances between the attachment points.
Particularly suitable for
long or delicate loads, as well as applications in which lateral forces on the load should be kept to a minimum.
C-Traverse: Supporting Loads with Lateral Offset
The C-Traverse allows loads to be lifted and positioned when the crane's lifting point cannot be positioned directly above the load. Typical applications include positioning loads under a canopy, through a building opening, or into a hard-to-reach area of a facility.
Depending on the design, C-beams are also used for coils, rolls, or ring-shaped components. In this case, the lower support arm is inserted into the existing opening and supports the load from the inside. C-beams are custom-designed to accommodate specific dimensions, weight, center of gravity, and installation conditions.
Particularly suitable for
Placing loads under canopies, through openings, or in areas where the attachment point cannot be positioned directly above the load.
H-Beam: for wide and flat loads
An H-beam sling has several attachment points spaced apart from one another, making it particularly suitable for wide, flat loads. Unlike a beam sling, the load is not supported along a single line. The H-shaped design allows, for example, for attachment at four points.
This can be critical for machines, frames, containers, racks, or large assemblies. The length, width, and position of the attachment points on custom H-beams are tailored to the specific component.
Particularly suitable for
Machines, frames, containers, base frames, and heavy loads with multiple lifting points.
Fork crossbar: Load support from below
With a fork traverse, the load is not lifted from above using lifting gear. Instead, forks or support arms grip the load from below or from within. This is useful when there are no suitable lifting points on a component or when the design calls for lifting from below.
Typical applications include crates, tools, molds, fixtures, and components from production processes. The fork spacing, fork length, and load capacity are tailored to the load, making fork carriages suitable for recurring handling processes as well.
Particularly suitable for
Machines, containers, molds, tools, and components that are to be loaded from below.
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Load Crossbeam Checklist (PDF)
The information we need to design a load beam: weight, dimensions, center of gravity, attachment points, and operating conditions. We'll email you the PDF.
Relevant References
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