Beam & Plate Clamps

How to Choose a Beam or Plate Clamp

What is a beam clamp?

A beam clamp is a rigging fitting that attaches to the flange of a structural I-beam to create a fixed lifting point for a hoist or chain block. It clamps to the beam width and transfers the load to the steel, letting you lift without welding or drilling anchor points.

Do you need a beam clamp or a plate clamp?

Match the clamp to the job. Use a beam clamp to hang a hoist from overhead steel. Use a plate clamp to grip and lift steel plate itself — vertical clamps hoist plate on edge, horizontal clamps lift it flat, and universal clamps handle both orientations.

How do you size clamp capacity?

Choose a rated capacity at or above your heaviest load, never below. Beam clamps here run 1 to 20 tons and plate clamps 1 to 8 tons. Confirm your beam flange width or plate thickness falls within the model's spec range on each listing before ordering.

Vertical, horizontal, or universal plate clamp?

Pick by how the plate must move. Vertical plate clamps lift and turn plate hanging on edge. Horizontal plate clamps lift plate lying flat, often in pairs. Universal plate clamps do both, adding flexibility when your handling orientation changes across jobs.