The lifting beam (also known as traverse, spreader beam) is a steel beam that is attached to the hook of the crane in order to spread the
slings from one end of an elongated load (like a
wall panel) to another. The bottom of the beam has multiple connection points for hanging the load.[1]
lifting an asymmetrical load. Without a beam, it might be hard to strap the load so that its
center of gravity is exactly below the
hook;
handling a long load with a single-hook crane. Sufficient spread between the slings prevents the load from slipping out;
increase the headroom: slings cannot be stretched close to the horizontal direction, so attaching them directly to the hook requires a minimum distance from the hook to the load. When the lifting beam is used, the slings can be shorter, providing more vertical clearance during lifting;
if the attachments of the load are on its vertical sides, the slings have to go over the edges of the load, which can damage these edges. A lifting beam allows attaching slings to the side lugs without touching the edges;
the top of the beam can have two attachment points at the ends thus allowing two cranes to share the load.
The lifting beam (also known as traverse, spreader beam) is a steel beam that is attached to the hook of the crane in order to spread the
slings from one end of an elongated load (like a
wall panel) to another. The bottom of the beam has multiple connection points for hanging the load.[1]
lifting an asymmetrical load. Without a beam, it might be hard to strap the load so that its
center of gravity is exactly below the
hook;
handling a long load with a single-hook crane. Sufficient spread between the slings prevents the load from slipping out;
increase the headroom: slings cannot be stretched close to the horizontal direction, so attaching them directly to the hook requires a minimum distance from the hook to the load. When the lifting beam is used, the slings can be shorter, providing more vertical clearance during lifting;
if the attachments of the load are on its vertical sides, the slings have to go over the edges of the load, which can damage these edges. A lifting beam allows attaching slings to the side lugs without touching the edges;
the top of the beam can have two attachment points at the ends thus allowing two cranes to share the load.