The size of a lifting beam starts with the load, not with the beam. Once the length of the load, its lifting points and its centre of gravity are known, the beam length, the position of the lower hangers and the position of the top connection follow from them. This guide explains the steps from the load to the beam and how much lifting height the beam takes from the crane. To see the same calculation with your own load, you can use the lifting beam configurator.
Start with the load: dimensions, weight, centre of gravity
For a lifting beam, the load itself is described first:
- Weight, length, width and height of the load
- Position of the centre of gravity: in the middle of the load or off to one side
- Where the load can be held: lifting lugs, holes or areas that can be slung
If the centre of gravity is not in the middle, the hangers do not carry equal loads. The hanger nearer the heavy side carries more, and the top connection moves towards that side.
Lifting points and beam length
The lower hangers sit above the points where the load can be held. The distance between the hangers is the main dimension that sets the beam length. The beam is somewhat longer than the widest hanger spacing; room is left at the ends for the hanger carriers and end stops.
Long, narrow loads are carried from two points; wide or flexible loads from four. For four points, an H-type beam is used, with two cross beams below the main beam. HENDL adjustable lifting beams can be built with two, four and multiple lower pick-up points.
Adjustment range: one beam, different loads
If the same beam is to carry loads of different lengths, the hanger positions are made adjustable. The hangers lock into steps along the beam; the number of steps and the pitch set how far the hanger spacing can change. The adjustment range is chosen with the shortest and the longest load in mind.
In the Adjustable Lifting Beam family, adjustment can be manual or powered. Manual adjustment is made only without a suspended load; powered adjustment under load is possible only in applications specially designed and assessed for it.
Top connection and balance
The top connection is placed at the point where the loaded beam hangs level. If the centre of gravity is in the middle, this is the middle of the beam; with an off-centre load the top connection moves towards the heavy side. The way the beam is connected to the crane is also chosen: a single eye, two-leg top rigging or twin crane hooks. The crane hook can sit directly in the eye of the beam or be connected to a lifting lug with a shackle.
Lost headroom
The beam goes between the crane hook and the load and takes part of the lifting height. This part is the distance from the point where the crane hook sits to the top of the load, and it is made up of:
- The top connection: eye or lifting lug
- The height of the beam itself
- The lower connection: shackle, shackle and swivel hook, or shackle, chain and hook
- The sling or chain around the load
In plants with limited headroom, this total matters as much as the beam itself. Shortening the lower connection, attaching directly to a lug instead of a sling, or choosing a low-headroom beam reduces the loss. HENDL designs low-headroom beams per project.
Capacity
The upper limit of the HENDL adjustable lifting beam family is 200 t; higher capacities are handled by special engineering. The capacity of a beam depends on the hanger spacing and the load distribution; the same beam may carry less at a wide spacing. That is why the capacity of each beam is given together with its spacing. For the difference between a lifting beam and a spreader beam, see the guide Lifting Beam or Spreader Beam?
Preliminary calculation with the configurator
The lifting beam configurator follows the order of this guide. You first enter the load and its centre of gravity, then mark the lifting points on the load. The configurator calculates the beam length, the adjustment range and the lost headroom, selects the beam section and draws the beam with the load in 3D. If a dimension does not fit, it shows why and suggests a correction that you approve.
The result is a preliminary design. When you send your request, our engineering team reviews the calculation and prepares the final design with the quotation.
Information needed for a quotation
- Weight, dimensions and centre of gravity of the load
- Number of lifting points and their positions on the load
- If loads of different lengths are carried: the shortest and the longest load
- Crane hook, crane connection and available headroom
You can send the details through the quotation form.