SPREADER BAR, SPREADER BEAMS & LIFTING BEAMS
When you're lifting heavy, awkward, or valuable loads, the right equipment isn't optional — it's everything. KNAPP spreader beams and lifting beams are proudly manufactured in New Zealand to give construction crews, crane operators, riggers, and industrial teams the confidence to lift more, lift safer, and get the job done right.
Whether you're hoisting roofing iron twelve storeys up, setting precast concrete panels on a civil project, or manoeuvring long steel beams into position, KNAPP has the lifting solution built for the task.
What Is a Spreader Beam?
A spreader beam — sometimes called a spreader bar or lifting spreader — is a rigid structural beam that converts a single lifting point into two or more attachment points spread across the length or width of a load. Instead of a load hanging from one central hook (which can cause dangerous instability, tilting, or swinging), a spreader beam distributes the weight evenly across multiple contact points.
This changes everything about how you can safely lift:
Long loads like steel sections, roofing bundles, and timber stay flat and stable rather than bowing or tipping
Fragile or sensitive equipment doesn't suffer concentrated stress at a single point
Sling angles are reduced, improving mechanical advantage and lowering compressive force on the load
Crane, hiab, and forklift operations become safer and more controlled
A lifting beam serves a related but slightly different purpose. Rather than spreading load attachment points outward, a lifting beam is raised from a central point above, with the load suspended from multiple lower attachment points. KNAPP's range includes both configurations, as well as combination beams that function as either, depending on the rigging setup.
The KNAPP Spreader Bar & Lifting Beam Range
KNAPP manufactures a comprehensive range of spreader beams and lifting beams to suit the full spectrum of New Zealand and Australian lifting requirements. Browse the full range below.
Adjustable Spreader Beams
For operations where load sizes vary from lift to lift, KNAPP's adjustable spreader beams are the most versatile option in the range. These feature internal telescopes with multiple holes, allowing the beam to be set to different lengths without needing to swap equipment between jobs.
The Adjustable Spreader Beam with End Lifting Lugs is available from 1.4 metres to 12 metres in length and is designed to lift loads of up to 30 tonnes — making it suitable for the most demanding construction and civil engineering applications.
For HIAB truck operations, the HIAB Spreader Beam is specifically designed to fit within the width of the deck or mount on the headboard of your truck, making it a practical and purpose-built solution for hiab-mounted lifting on job sites and delivery operations.
Single Span Spreader Bars
For consistent load dimensions where the same lift is repeated regularly, fixed-length beams offer a reliable and cost-effective solution. Quick to rig, easy to certify, and straightforward to inspect, these are a staple in manufacturing, processing, and loading dock environments.
The Single Length Spreader Beam with End Lifting Lugs delivers dependable performance across repeated lifts where load geometry stays consistent.
For applications that require dual-axis lifting capability, the H Lifting Beam with Central Lifting Point provides exceptional load stability and control — an innovative solution for loads that require support from all four corners rather than two ends.
Central Lifting Point Configurations
KNAPP's central lifting point range provides superior load control for situations where headroom above the load is limited. Lifting from a central point rather than the ends keeps the overall height of the lift more compact, making these beams particularly well suited to confined indoor environments and overhead crane operations.
The Single Length Lifting Beam with Central Lifting Point offers straightforward rigging for standard loads, while the Multi Lifting Lug Lifting Beam with Central Lifting Point provides multiple lower attachment points for more complex rigging scenarios where load balance needs to be finely adjusted.
The Universal Beam Multi Lifting Beam with Central Lifting Point delivers precision positioning for heavy loads at different spans, while the Fixed Point Plate Multi Lifting Beam with Central Lifting Point accommodates a wide variety of load configurations — giving operators maximum flexibility when rigging requirements change.
Fork Hoist Lifting Beams
Warehouses and logistics operations benefit from KNAPP's forklift-compatible lifting beam designs, which transform a standard forklift into a versatile overhead lifting tool without the need for a crane.
The Single Length Fork Hoist Lifting Beam with Fork Pockets and Central Lifting Point slots onto forklift tines and provides a stable central lifting point for a wide range of loads. For greater rigging flexibility, the Multi Lifting Lug Fork Hoist Lifting Beam with Fork Pockets and Central Lifting Point adds multiple lower attachment options — ideal for loads that need to be balanced across several points or where sling positioning needs to vary.
Roofing Spreader Bars
Long, flexible roofing bundles are notoriously difficult to lift safely without the right equipment. Without proper load distribution, roofing material can bow, slip, or be damaged by concentrated sling pressure during the lift.
KNAPP's Roofing Spreader Beams are purpose-built for roofing contractors and panel factories, handling long-span roofing, large panels, and trusses safely and without damage. The telescopic roofing beam extends from 9 metres to 15 metres and can handle roofing material up to 20 metres in length — covering virtually any residential or commercial roofing scenario.
Designed, Manufactured and Certified in New Zealand
Every KNAPP spreader beam and lifting beam is designed, manufactured, and certified in New Zealand, in accordance with Standard AS4991-2004 Lifting Devices — the governing standard for lifting equipment compliance across both New Zealand and Australia.
This means every beam that leaves the KNAPP facility in Tokoroa has been:
Engineered for the specific application, with safe working loads calculated from first principles
Fabricated by ticketed welder fabricators under KNAPP's ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system
Load tested prior to certification, not simply rated theoretically
Clearly marked with its WLL, so operators always know exactly what they're working with
Each certified beam comes with full documentation confirming its WLL, the standard it was manufactured to, and its test certification — supporting your site's health and safety records and equipment register.
Custom Fabrication
Standard configurations cover most applications — but not all of them. If your project requires a non-standard span, a higher WLL, a beam designed for a specific fixed installation, or attachment points in unusual positions, KNAPP's engineering team can design and certify a solution to your exact specifications.
Use the online Configurator to customise and select a spreader beam, or contact the team directly to discuss your requirements. All custom beams are manufactured 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 trusted across a wide range of industries throughout New Zealand and Australia, including construction and civil engineering, roofing and cladding, steel fabrication, crane and rigging contracting, warehousing and manufacturing, and plant hire.
Call Fiona: 021 781 205 or request a quote online.
KNAPP — Proudly NZ Made. Built to lift more.
