You rely on precise load control during demanding lifts, and understanding how a spreader bar works helps you do so safely. This post explains how spreader bars distribute weight, reduce sling stress, and prevent load damage. You’ll learn the key differences from lifting beams, common configurations, and how to choose the right setup for your job. With clear insight into safety standards, inspection practices, and real-world applications, you can plan lifts with greater confidence and efficiency.
Discover and break down the major types of rigging used in construction and industrial lifting. You’ll understand the differences among wire rope, chain, and synthetic slings, how rigging hardware and lifting devices work together, and how hitch configurations affect load capacity. This overview helps you choose the right equipment, strengthen lift planning, and stay compliant on demanding jobsites.
Rigging equipment load testing is a critical step in ensuring your lifting gear performs safely under real-world conditions. You rely on slings, hoists, hooks, and custom lifting devices to handle heavy loads, and load testing verifies that the equipment can support its rated capacity without failure. By understanding when load testing is required, how proof tests are performed, and how results are documented, you reduce risk, support compliance, and protect your crew. Professional load testing gives you confidence that every lift is backed by verified performance and proper certification.
Choosing the right sheave is a crucial decision in any rigging setup. Learn how to match sheave diameter, groove profile, bearings, and load ratings to your rope and lifting environment. You’ll see how proper alignment, fleet angle control, and inspection practices directly impact rope lifespan and system efficiency. With adequate understanding, you can ensure safer, more effective lifting operations every time.
Discover essential information about different types of lifting shackles, their designs, applications, and material selection. We'll review loop, straight, threaded pin, nut-and-bolt, cotter pin, quick-release, and offset shackles, along with crucial safety practices, regular inspections, and best-use scenarios to ensure operational safety, efficiency, and reliability in all rigging and lifting operations.
Among other Equipment and Supplies, Hanes Supply has provided all of the major Rigging and Sling Equipment necessary for the ironworkers completion of the plant's construction, as well as Power and Hand Tools, Safety Equipment and many additional Construction Supplies. Hanes Supply will continue to meet the future needs of the contractors on the Boeing 787 Plant.
A project to deliver two spreader beams, overseas, able to lift 40,000 pounds each, came my way in September. After having met with our customer's Engineering Department to determine the specifications of the beams, we then had the items manufactured by Engineered Lifting Technologies, Inc. They work in cooperation with Hanes Supply, Inc., whenever a situation like this arises. Needed were two Beams, each twelve foot overall length, featuring a 7/8 inch double-leg chain assembly, using a 3/4 inch diameter master link, Hammerlok® coupling link, as well as each end hook having an eleven ton capacity.
