SPREADER BAR, SPREADER BEAM & LIFTING BEAM

What Is a Spreader Beam or Spreader Bar?

A spreader beam, also called a spreader bar or lifting spreader, is a rigid structural beam that turns a single lifting point into two or more attachment points spread across the length or width of a load. Rather than hanging a load from one central hook, which can cause tilting, swinging and instability, a spreader beam shares the weight across several contact points.

That changes how you can lift:

• Long loads such as steel sections, roofing bundles and timber stay flat and stable instead of bowing or tipping.

• Fragile or sensitive equipment is not put under concentrated stress at a single point.

• Sling angles are reduced, which improves mechanical advantage and lowers the compressive force on the load.

• Crane, hiab and forklift lifts become safer and more controlled.

A lifting beam does a related but slightly different job. Instead of spreading the attachment points outward, a lifting beam is raised from a central point above and the load hangs from multiple lower attachment points. The KNAPP range covers both styles, plus combination beams that work as either, depending on how you rig them.

Adjustable Spreader Bars For Lifting

When load sizes change from lift to lift, an adjustable spreader bar is the most versatile choice. Our adjustable spreader bars with end lifting lugsuses internal telescopes with multiple holes, so you can set different lengths without swapping equipment between jobs. It is available from 1.4 metres to 16 metres and lifts up to 30 tonnes, which suits demanding construction and civil applications.

If you work from a truck, a hiab spreader beam is designed to fit within the width of your deck or mount on the headboard, which makes it a purpose built option for hiab lifting on job sites and delivery runs.

Single Span Spreader Bars

When the same lift is repeated and the load dimensions do not change, a fixed length beam is a reliable and cost effective option. They are quick to rig and easy to certify and inspect, which makes them a staple in manufacturing, processing and loading dock work. A single length spreader beam with end lifting lugs gives dependable performance across repeated lifts.

Central Lifting Point Configurations

Central lifting point beams give you better load control when headroom above the load is limited. Lifting from the middle instead of the ends keeps the overall lift height compact, so these beams suit confined indoor spaces and overhead crane work.

For standard loads, a single length lifting beam with a central lifting point keeps the rigging simple. Where the rigging is more complex and the load balance needs fine adjustment, a multi lifting lug lifting beam provides several lower attachment points. For heavy loads at different spans, a universal beam multi lifting bar gives precise positioning, while a fixed point plate multi lifting bar handles a wide variety of load configurations, so you keep flexibility when rigging requirements change.

If you need to support a load at all four corners rather than at two ends, an H lifting beam with a central lifting point provides excellent stability and control.

Fork Hoist Lifting Beams

Warehouses and logistics operations can turn a standard forklift into an overhead lifting tool, with no crane required, by using a forklift compatible lifting beam. A single length fork hoist lifting bar slots onto the forklift tines through its fork pockets and gives you a stable central lifting point for a wide range of loads. When a load needs balancing across several points, or sling positions vary, a multi lifting lug fork hoist lifting bar adds multiple lower attachment options.

Roofing Spreader Bars

Long, flexible roofing bundles are hard to lift safely without the right gear. Without proper load distribution, roofing material and insulation panels can bow, slip or be damaged by concentrated sling pressure.

Our roofing spreader beams are built for roofing contractors and insulation panel to handle long span roofing, large panels and trusses without damage. The telescopic roofing spreader beam extends up to 20 metres and can handle roofing material up to 30 metres long, which covers

Designed, Manufactured and Certified in New Zealand

Every KNAPP spreader beam and lifting beam is designed, manufactured and certified in New Zealand to AS4991-2004 Lifting Devices, the standard that governs lifting equipment compliance in both New Zealand and Australia. 

Each certified beam ships with documentation confirming its WLL (Weight Load Limit), the standard it was built to and its certification, which supports your site health and safety records and equipment register.

Custom Fabrication

Our standard configurations cover most applications, but not all of them. If your project needs a non standard span, a higher WLL (Weight Load Limit), a beam for a fixed installation or attachment points in unusual positions, our engineering team can design and certify a solution to your specification. Start with the online configurator or contact the team to talk through your requirements. Custom beams are built to the same standard as the production range: engineered, fabricated by ticketed welders, load tested and certified under AS4991-2004.

Who Uses KNAPP Spreader Bars?

KNAPP lifting equipment is used across New Zealand and Australia in construction and civil engineering, roofing and cladding, steel fabrication, crane and rigging contracting, warehousing and manufacturing, and plant hire.

Call us on 021 781 205 or request a quote online.

KNAPP: Certified Lifting Equipment. Proudly NZ made.