What Are Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices? C Hooks, Coil Lifters and Lifting Beams

1. What Are Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices?

Below-the-hook lifting devices are equipment used between the crane hook and the load to help lift, hold, balance or position the load safely. These devices are selected or custom-designed according to load shape, weight, center of gravity, connection points and operating conditions.

In industrial lifting operations, crane capacity alone is not enough. How the load is held, balanced and moved is equally important. For this reason, C hooks, coil lifters, magnetic lifting beams, lifting beams, spreader beams, grab buckets and custom lifting attachments are important parts of crane systems.

Below-the-hook lifting devices may also be referred to as lifting attachments, crane attachments or custom lifting devices depending on the market and application.

2. Why Are Lifting Attachments Important?

Not every load can be lifted directly and safely with a standard crane hook. Long, wide, sensitive, cylindrical, unbalanced or special-shaped loads may require specific lifting attachments to reduce safety, efficiency and product damage risks.

Lifting attachments are used to:

• Hold the load from suitable points
• Manage the center of gravity more effectively
• Reduce uncontrolled rotation or instability
• Reduce damage risk on sensitive surfaces
• Improve operation time
• Standardize repetitive lifting tasks
• Support operator safety

The right attachment helps the crane system work according to the real operational requirement.

3. Main Types of Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices

Below-the-hook devices vary according to the type of load being handled.

Device Type	General Application
C hook	Handling steel coils and rolled materials
Coil lifter	Lifting coils through gripping or suitable contact points
Magnetic lifting beam	Lifting steel plates and magnetic flat materials
Lifting beam	Loads with limited headroom or special connection points
Spreader beam	Long, wide or multi-point lifting operations
Grab bucket / orange peel grab	Bulk materials, scrap, loose parts or irregular materials
Custom lifting attachment	Project-specific load handling applications

Each device type has a different operating logic, load behavior and safety requirement. Therefore, selection should not be made only according to product name.

4. C Hook Solutions

A C hook is a below-the-hook lifting device commonly used for steel coils, aluminum coils, sheet metal rolls and similar cylindrical loads. It generally supports the coil through its inner diameter.

C hooks may be considered when:

• The load is in coil or roll form
• The coil inner diameter is suitable for lifting
• The load can be safely supported through the inner diameter
• A practical and direct coil handling solution is required
• Surface contact and balance can be technically managed

In C hook selection, coil weight, inner diameter, outer diameter, width, center of gravity and surface sensitivity should be evaluated together.

5. Coil Lifters and Coil Tongs

Coil lifters are lifting devices used to handle coils with suitable contact, gripping or connection methods. The term “coil lifter” can describe different equipment types depending on the operating principle.

Coil tongs generally hold the coil through a gripping or clamping mechanism. They may be considered when the load needs to be gripped more controllably or when the handling operation requires a specific holding method.

Important criteria for coil lifters and coil tongs include:

• Coil weight
• Coil inner and outer diameter
• Coil width
• Surface sensitivity
• Gripping or contact method
• Operating frequency
• Crane hook and lifting height compatibility

The actual working principle of the coil handling equipment should be clarified before technical selection.

6. Magnetic Lifting Beam Solutions

Magnetic lifting beams are used for lifting steel plates, sheets and other magnetic materials. They can support faster and more controlled handling in suitable applications.

However, magnetic lifting beams are not suitable for every metal load. Material type, magnetic properties, surface condition, thickness, weight and safety requirements should be evaluated before selection.

Magnetic lifting solutions may be considered when:

• The load material is suitable for magnetic lifting
• Flat or plate-type materials are handled
• Repeated material handling is required
• Surface contact points need to be controlled
• Manual rigging time should be reduced

The magnetic lifting approach should always be verified according to the real load and site conditions.

7. Lifting Beam and Spreader Beam Solutions

Lifting beams and spreader beams are used for loads that require balanced, multi-point or geometry-specific lifting. Although they may look similar, their force behavior and lifting geometry can differ.

Criteria	Lifting Beam	Spreader Beam
Main purpose	Supports loads from connection points under the beam	Helps distribute lifting forces between multiple points
Headroom	Can be suitable for limited-headroom applications	May require more headroom due to sling geometry
Typical use	Special connection points and compact lifting needs	Long, wide or multi-point lifting operations
Selection focus	Headroom, center of gravity and beam capacity	Sling angle, load distribution and connection points

The final selection should always be made according to the real lifting scenario.

8. Grab Bucket and Orange Peel Grab Solutions

Grab bucket and orange peel grab systems are crane attachments used to handle bulk materials, scrap, loose parts or irregular materials.

For these devices, material bulk density, particle size, gripping behavior, working environment and operating frequency are important. In scrap, bulk material or loose product handling applications, a standard hook may not be sufficient.

Selection factors include:

• Material type
• Particle or part size
• Volume / density information
• Daily operating frequency
• Crane capacity
• Opening and closing mechanism
• Working environment
• Maintenance needs

9. When Are Custom Lifting Attachments Required?

Some loads cannot be lifted safely with standard C hooks, coil lifters, magnetic lifting beams or lifting beam solutions. In these cases, custom lifting attachments may be required.

Custom attachments may be considered when:

• The load has a special geometry
• The center of gravity is unbalanced or variable
• There are no standard connection points
• Product surface damage risk is high
• Available headroom is limited
• Operation frequency is high
• The load needs to be rotated, balanced or precisely positioned
• Integration with a production line is required

The objective of custom design is not only to lift the load, but to handle it safely, controllably and efficiently.

10. Key Information Needed for Lifting Attachment Selection

The following information should be technically evaluated for correct attachment selection:

Required Information	Why It Is Needed
Load weight	Defines safe working load.
Load dimensions	Affects attachment geometry.
Center of gravity	Critical for balanced lifting.
Load material	Affects magnet, gripping or contact method.
Connection points	Defines hook, sling, shackle or custom connection method.
Available headroom	Affects attachment type and lifting geometry.
Surface sensitivity	Defines contact points and protection needs.
Operating frequency	Affects durability and maintenance approach.
Working environment	Affects coating, protection and safety design.
Crane information	Must match capacity, hook type and lifting height.

Selecting an attachment only by product name without these inputs is not technically reliable.

11. Safety and Standards Approach

Below-the-hook lifting devices require careful safety management. Design, fabrication, testing, marking, operation and maintenance should be handled according to relevant standards and safe lifting principles.

Key safety considerations include:

• Clearly defined safe working load
• Clear definition of intended use
• Suitable connecting element selection
• Center of gravity analysis
• Visual inspection before operation
• Periodic inspection and maintenance
• Marking and traceability
• Operator and rigging knowledge
• Avoiding use outside intended purpose

Each lifting operation should be evaluated according to the real load and site conditions.

12. Kalsys Custom Lifting Attachment Solutions

Kalsys evaluates C hook, coil lifter, magnetic lifting beam, lifting beam, spreader beam, grab bucket and custom lifting attachment projects according to load type, center of gravity, connection points, working environment and operational requirements.

This approach aims to ensure that the crane system does not only lift the load, but handles it with the right equipment in a safer and more efficient way.

13. Frequently Asked Questions

13.1. What is a below-the-hook lifting device?

A below-the-hook lifting device is equipment used between the crane hook and the load to help hold, balance, lift or position the load safely.

13.2. What loads are C hooks used for?

C hooks are generally used for lifting steel coils, aluminum coils and rolled materials through their inner diameter.

13.3. What is the difference between a C hook and a coil lifter?

A C hook supports the coil through its inner diameter. A coil lifter may refer to different coil handling devices, including gripping, clamping or custom lifting solutions.

13.4. Can magnetic lifting beams be used for every metal load?

No. Material magnetic properties, surface condition, thickness, weight and safety requirements should be evaluated.

13.5. When is a custom lifting attachment required?

A custom lifting attachment may be required when standard devices do not properly match the load geometry, connection points, available headroom or operational requirements.

14. Conclusion

Below-the-hook lifting devices are critical equipment for safety, efficiency and load control in industrial lifting operations. C hooks, coil lifters, magnetic lifting beams, lifting beams, spreader beams, grab buckets and custom attachments should be evaluated according to different load types and operational needs.

The right attachment selection should be based on load weight, dimensions, center of gravity, connection points, available headroom, surface sensitivity, working environment and crane information.

Kalsys develops project-specific below-the-hook lifting devices and custom lifting attachment solutions with an engineering-focused approach for safer and more sustainable lifting operations.