Need to safely lift heavy loads at your construction site?
Spreader bars are one of those things that you don’t think about until your project absolutely needs one. Whether you are distributing weight evenly across the lift or maintaining safe angles on your slings, a spreader bar is your best friend when it comes to heavy-duty lifting.
But…
Choosing the wrong spreader bar can mean disaster. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, on average, 44 people die each year in the United States as a result of crane-related incidents. In fact, rigging failures contribute to 60% of all of these crane-related fatalities.
See, that’s why it is so important for businesses to choose the best spreader bar rental services.
The good news? Renting spreader bars provides construction companies with access to professional-grade equipment at a much lower up-front cost.
Below are the top spreader bar rental services out there. These companies have what it takes to keep your lifting operations both safe and efficient.
In This Guide
- Why Renting Makes Sense for Construction
- Top 5 Spreader Bar Rental Services Ranked
- What to Look for in a Rental Provider
- Safety Tips Every Team Should Know
Why Renting Makes Sense for Construction
Before getting into the rankings…
It is important to understand why renting makes sense. Spreader bar rental services make a lot of sense for construction projects for a few reasons.
- Cost savings – Don’t have to make a large capital investment up front
- Flexibility – Rent different sizes and capacities as needed
- Maintenance included – Equipment arrives inspected and certified
- Storage eliminated – Don’t take up warehouse space between projects
Renting spreader bars is much more financially viable for one-time or short-term jobs. The construction industry is not usually in need of having a 100-ton spreader bar sitting around and taking up storage space year-round.
Top 5 Spreader Bar Rental Services Ranked
Now, for the good stuff…
Here are the top providers in the industry as of today…
#1 Tway Lifting
The gold medal goes to Tway Lifting.
Tway Lifting takes the top spot and it is not even close.
Since 1945, Tway has been in the rigging business for over 75 years. Their decades of experience have established Tway Lifting as the industry choice spreader bar rental provider across the country.
Their facilities are ISO 9001-2008 certified which means that every single piece of equipment meets the industry’s highest-quality standards.
What is so great about Tway Lifting?
- 5 to 100 tons capacity spreader bars
- 4 to 40 feet span range
- Modular systems that can be combined to fit any application
- Free nationwide delivery and pickup
- Daily, weekly, or monthly rental periods
Tway Lifting operates two Rigging Equipment Superstores in Indiana that are staffed with factory-trained, qualified riggers. They have worked on some of the largest jobs in the industry, such as the Indianapolis Colts Lucas Oil Stadium and the Dallas Cowboys Stadium.
The cherry on top? Rentals from Tway include all of the equipment you need to start lifting right away – slings, shackles, load cells, and more.
#2 Holloway Houston (HHI Lifting)
The next contender is Holloway Houston with their MorBar series of spreader bars.
These guys have some great equipment that conforms to the ASME BTH-1 and ASME B30.20 industry standards. They offer a wide range of fixed and adjustable configurations to handle different types of loads and lifting scenarios.
A few other key features of Holloway Houston include the ability to get customized rigging solutions for projects and worldwide rental availability. Their team of expert engineers can help you plan for even the most complex lifts.
The main drawback is that their pricing and structure do not seem to be as transparent as Tway’s free nationwide delivery model. There may also be more coordination needed to fulfill rush orders.
#3 Sunbelt Rentals
Sunbelt is a well-known general equipment rental company.
They have spreader bar attachments for forklifts and other light-duty lifting applications. Their widespread presence across the country also makes it convenient for many construction sites to pick up equipment.
The thing is, though, their selection of spreader bars is much more limited. They are better equipped to handle smaller projects rather than the heavy industrial lifts spreader bars are needed for.
#4 Modulift (Through Authorized Dealers)
Modulift is the manufacturer of some of the best modular spreader beam systems.
They have a system of interchangeable parts that allow the rigging teams to customize the beam length and capacity as needed on the job site. Because of that, a lot of rental providers carry Modulift equipment in their inventory.
The tricky part is that direct rentals are not always available. You might have to go through authorized dealers, which can add extra steps and time.
#5 ELT Lift
Engineered Lifting Technologies, or ELT Lift, offers spreader bars as part of their more comprehensive lifting equipment lineup.
They have fixed, adjustable, and telescoping spreader bars available to cover most construction needs. Their spreader bars meet industry safety standards.
Their business, though, is much more geared towards actual sales rather than rentals. As a result, you might not have as much access to their inventory for short-term projects.
What to Look for in a Rental Provider
As you can see, not all spreader bar rental services are created equal.
Here are some of the most important criteria when evaluating a rental provider:
- Certification and compliance – You want equipment that meets OSHA and ASME B30.20 standards. OSHA requires all lifting accessories to go through a 125% proof test. Any reputable rental service will have that paperwork in hand.
- Capacity range – The rental provider should have spreader bars that match your project’s exact weight and span needs. Too small, and it is a safety hazard.
- Condition and inspection – Rental equipment should be delivered already inspected, proof-tested, and certified. Providers that guarantee this in writing are preferred.
- Support and expertise – The best spreader bar rental services employ qualified riggers who can help guide you to the right configuration for each project.
- Delivery options – If you can get free delivery and pickup, that will save a lot of money on larger projects.
Safety Tips Every Team Should Know
Renting the right equipment is only part of the equation…
Proper training and safety protocols are necessary for operating spreader bars correctly. Here are a few tips to keep everyone safe:
- Pre-use inspection – Look for damage, wear, or corrosion before every lift
- Load calculations – Make sure the load is within the bar’s rated capacity
- Trained operators only – Only let qualified personnel operate the spreader bars
- Tag lines – Stabilize long or awkward loads with tag lines
- Never exceed limits – For the love of all things holy, stay within the rated working load limit
It is also recommended to have regular inspections from qualified professionals every six months, even on rented equipment.
The Bottom Line
Renting spreader bars gives construction businesses access to safe, certified lifting equipment at a fraction of the ownership burden. When dealing with different load requirements for each project, renting offers much-needed flexibility that simply does not exist when buying.
Tway Lifting is hands down the industry leader at this point with their extensive inventory, free delivery, and decades of industry expertise. For most construction projects, they are the first call for a reason.
But no matter who you choose…
It all comes down to selecting equipment that both meets safety standards and your job requirements. There is never any reason to cut corners on your rigging equipment. The construction industry accounts for 43% of fatal crane-related injuries – proper equipment selection can save lives.
Make the smart choice.
Rent from a reputable provider.
Keep every lift safe.
