Lifting beam

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.

The lifting beams are used in multiple cases:
 * 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.