Modular spreader beams
Fixed-span beams with pinned attachment points — cost-effective for standard load patterns with known lift points.
Engineered to BS EN 13155
Bespoke spreader beams and lifting frames to BS EN 13155.
Custom spreader beams, H-frames and balanced lifting frames, CAD-engineered to your exact load geometry, supplied with calculations, test certification and full traceability.
Spreader beams and lifting frames sit at the pointy end of rigging engineering. Get the geometry wrong and the hook loads are unbalanced, the sling angles go out of compliance, and the load can rotate or shift in flight. Somers Handling engineers bespoke and modular spreader beams, H-frames and balanced lifting frames to BS EN 13155 for construction, offshore, nuclear, power-generation and aerospace applications in the UK and internationally.
Every beam we supply comes with full design calculations, a CAD model, and a proof-load test certificate at 125% of SWL. For heavy-capacity beams we can integrate load cells, tilt indicators and electronic monitoring into the structure at the design stage.
Types and configurations
Spreader beams and lifting frames are supplied in the following common configurations. Bespoke variants are engineered to order.
Adjustable spreader beams
Telescopic or multi-position spreaders that accommodate a range of load widths without tooling change.
H-frames and four-point lifters
Balanced four-point lifters for large planar loads — transformer tanks, modules, skid-mounted packages.
Bespoke lifting frames
Application-specific lifting frames for non-standard loads, combining spreader, rigging and load-distribution into a single engineered unit.
Technical capabilities
Standard capabilities below — higher capacities, longer spans and non-standard finishes available on request.
Standards
- BS EN 13155
- NORSOK
- DNV
- CE / UKCA
| Safe working load (SWL) | 250 kg – 100 t Higher capacities engineered on request. |
|---|---|
| Beam span | 1 m – 30 m |
| Standards | BS EN 13155, NORSOK, DNV CE / UKCA marked. |
Industries
Where spreader beams and lifting frames are specified.
- SectorConstruction
- SectorOffshore / marine
- SectorNuclear
- SectorPower generation
- SectorAerospace
Spreader beams and lifting frames — frequently asked questions
When do I need a bespoke spreader beam rather than a modular one?
Modular spreader beams work well for standard load patterns — evenly-distributed planar loads with known lift points. A bespoke beam becomes worth it when the load is asymmetric, the centre of gravity is offset, there are geometric constraints on the rigging angles, or the duty cycle / environment rules out a generic design. In practice most of what we supply at SWL above ~50 t is bespoke.
What standards apply to spreader beams?
BS EN 13155 is the harmonised UK/EU standard for non-fixed load lifting attachments — spreader beams sit under this. Every beam is proof-load tested, CE/UKCA marked and supplied with a declaration of conformity.
Do you engineer for offshore or heavy-corrosion environments?
Yes — offshore and heavy-corrosion environments are a regular part of our work. Specify material (S355, duplex stainless, aluminium), coating grade (typically ISO 12944-5 C5-M high-durability), and any regulator requirements (Lloyd's, DNV) at enquiry and we'll design around them.
How do I specify a spreader beam?
Send us the load drawing (or at least overall dimensions and mass), the lift points and their tolerances, the crane hook height, the working environment, and any standards constraints. Our engineers produce a CAD model, stress calculations and a quotation — usually within a working week.
Need spreader beams and lifting frames engineered to your application?
Send a short description of your load, environment and duty — a Somers engineer will respond within one working day.