Abstract: A spreader (1) for lifting a freight container (7, 17) comprises a frame (3, 4, 11) and two pairs of pickup elements (5). Each pair of pickup elements (5) are mounted at opposite ends of the frame (3, 4, 11) and the frame (3, 4, 11) is adjustable to adjust the separation of the two pairs of pickup elements (5). A detector (8) is movably mounted on the frame (3, 4, 11) for movement between a first position in which the detector (8) is closer to one pair of pickup elements (5) and a second position in which the detector (8) is closer to the other pair of pickup elements (5). The detector is adapted to detect a discontinuity in an object (7, 17) located below the spreader (1).

Abstract: A spreader for lifting freight containers includes a frame having a number of pickup elements mounted thereon, a processor and a data storage device mounted on the frame. The processor is coupled to an interface device to receive outputs from a number of sensors mounted on the spreader and to store data received from the sensors in the data storage device.