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Building the case for modular spreader beams
Modular spreader beams are growing in popularity as a versatile alternative to fixed and multi-point below-the-hook solutions, says Darrin Noe, director of sales and marketing at The Caldwell Group.
F
or distributors and rigging shops, holding the right lifting equipment in stock can be a balancing act, especially when a specific beam arrangement is required at short notice. Rather than holding complete beams for every possible combination of span and capacity, distributors can stock a selection of modular components and configure the required system to meet the end user’s requirements.
Modular spreader beam concepts, such as Dura-Mod, provide the flexibility to do just that. By combining intermediate spreader sections with the appropriate end fittings, drop links and rigging hardware, distributors can build a beam to the required configuration from components already in stock, allowing the end user to get what they need without waiting for a complete beam to be ordered and delivered. Dura-Mod is
suited to use across many applications including those in construction, data centres, infrastructure, shipbuilding and large generators.
What is a modular beam? Modular spreader beams are a rigging concept that typically complements a manufacturer’s existing family of fixed beams, adjustable beams, beam end fittings and ‘build your own’ spreaders. In the case of Dura-Mod, each system consists of a pair of end fittings and drop links, and two upper and lower shackles to make the ideal configuration. Top sling assemblies, often using synthetic roundslings, can then be incorporated as part of the complete lifting arrangement. Caldwell supplies the end fittings, middle struts,
drop links and fastening hardware, while shackles and slings are typically provided by rigging partners. From there, it is a case of combining intermediate spreader sections to achieve the required span, with only the size of each component growing as the span increases. Together, these elements enable rigging partners to provide a complete turnkey system to the end user. If a square or rectangular spreader frame is
required the user needs to remove the end fittings and add corner sections; the struts are the same. Data sheets provide full assembly procedures, including details of the required fasteners and torque values. Custom and special components can also be manufactured to order, providing customers and distributors with a flexible solution to meet specific requirements.
The Dura-Mod consists of a pair of end fittings and drop links. Why modularity suits spreader beams
Modular construction lends itself particularly well to spreader beams, where the lifting arrangement is based around a pair of upper lifting points and lower load connections at either end. A lifting beam, by contrast, typically requires a fixed lifting eye positioned directly above the centre of the beam. Introducing modular connections makes maintaining the precise symmetry required for this central lifting point considerably more challenging as the beam configuration changes.
58 Fall 2026 |
ochmagazine.com
There is also an important difference in how the two concepts carry load. A modular spreader beam operates primarily in compression, with the load transferred through the beam and its connections. The modular joints can, therefore, be designed so that the joining bolts are not subjected to the primary tensile loading associated with a lifting beam configuration. This makes modular construction particularly well-suited to the spreader beam concept.
One of the main engineering challenges is managing the many possible configurations. Every change in span can affect the working load limit (WLL), so the challenge is not simply designing the individual components but accounting for the performance of the system across its different configurations. That means bringing all of the resulting data together in a clear, usable format for product catalogues and owners’ manuals, so users can readily identify the appropriate WLL for a given span. All things considered, they offer an adaptable
alternative to fixed and multi-point below- the-hook solutions, with configurability also supporting rapid delivery. Users can obtain a specific WLL and span in a relatively short timeframe, rather than being restricted to the
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