Abstract: A pipe handler for safely handling large pipes utilized in gas and oil lines, and the like utilizes a horizontal spreader bar having a dependent lifting arm hingedly attached at each end thereof. Each of the distal ends of the lifting arms includes a pivoted lifting shoe. The spreader bar is to be suspended from a crane. A winch having a double drum is mounted to the spreader bar and powered by an electric motor. Each drum includes a cable operatively connected to a respective one of the lifting arms. Initial operation of the winch causes the arms to swing outwardly. To handle a large pipe, the crane operator positions the spreader bar over a pipe to be moved, and operates the winch to swing the lifting arms outwardly sufficiently to allow the lifting shoes to thereafter swing inwardly to insert the lifting shoes into the respective ends of the pipe. The pipe can then be hoisted and moved to a desired point.