Lifting Beams
In the world of Below-the-Hook lifting, headroom is often the limiting factor. When you need to lift a wide or unbalanced load but lack the vertical clearance for a traditional wire rope bridle or spreader bar, a Lifting Beam is the engineered solution. Unlike a spreader bar which relies on top rigging (compressive force), a Lifting Beam utilizes a solid steel I-beam or channel design to handle bending forces, allowing for a single, low-profile bail connection.
Lifting Beams
Holloway Houston stocks a premier inventory of structural Lifting Beams from Peerless. From compact Short Span units for handling machinery to 20-ton Standard Duty beams for general construction, our inventory is compliant with ASME B30.20 and ready for immediate deployment.
Lifting Beam vs. Spreader Bar: What’s the Difference?
- Lifting Beams (This Category) : Designed to be picked up by a single top bail. They offer the lowest possible headroom requirement. However, because they must resist bending stress, they are heavier and more costly per ton of capacity than spreader bars.
- Spreader Bars : Require top rigging (wire rope or chain) which adds significant height to the assembly. They are lighter but require more vertical clearance.
Product Spotlight: Peerless Industrial Group
Holloway Houston stocks the core Peerless lineup, engineered for durability and safety.
1. Short Span Lifting Beams (Model SSLB) Designed for "Plate" style lifting where the pick points are close together.
- Design : Features a structural plate design rather than a channel or I-beam.
- Application : Ideal for lifting small machinery, motors, or components where the spread is between 1 foot and 3 feet.
- Capacity : We stock units from 1 Ton up to 20 Tons WLL.
2. Standard Duty Lifting Beams (Model SDLB) The workhorse of the fabrication shop. These beams typically feature a channel design with a fixed center bail.
- Design : Structural channel construction with a flame-cut center bail for direct hook attachment.
- Spread : Available in spans from 4 feet to 12 feet.
- Stability : Provides two lower lift points to stabilize long loads like pipe bundles, rebar, or sheet metal.
3. Universal & Adjustable Beams (UNVB / ALB) For riggers who encounter different load sizes daily. These beams feature adjustable lower lift points (pad eyes) that can be moved along the beam to match the center of gravity of the load.
Technical Specifications & Compliance
Below-the-Hook lifters are strictly regulated. All Peerless beams sold by Holloway Houston meet the following criteria :
- Standard : Engineered to ASME B30.20 (Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices) and ASME BTH-1 (Design of Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices).
- Design Category : Design Category B.
- Service Class : Service Class 0.
- Proof Test : Individually proof tested to 125% of the Working Load Limit (WLL) with certification included.
- Tagging : Durable metal nameplate permanently attached with WLL, Weight, Serial Number, and Manufacturer.
Holloway Houston Engineering & Testing
We don't just sell beams; we validate them.
- Proof Testing : Need to re-certify an old beam? Holloway Houston operates test beds with capacities up to 3,000 tons. We can pull-test your lifting beam to ensure it is safe for continued use.
- Custom Fabrication : If a standard stock beam doesn't fit your specific load, our engineering team can design a custom BTH lifter to your exact dimensions and capacity requirements.
Complete Your Rigging Assembly
A lifting beam is the bridge between the crane and the load. Ensure you have the right connection hardware.
- Top Connection : Use a Crosby G-2130 Shackle or Crane Hook to connect to the top bail.
- Bottom Connection : Use Web Slings or Chain Slings to connect the beam's lower eyes to the load.
Browse our inventory below to filter by Beam Type (SSLB/SDLB), Span Length, and Working Load Limit.