Abstract: A method and apparatus for bending beams by which a beam is subjected to pure moment bending in a critically oriented plane to avoid twist and to maintain single plane bending in a beam of arbitrary cross section. As disclosed, a pair of bending heads laterally engage a beam at longitudinally spaced points. Force actuator means connected directly between the heads is energized to rotate one of the heads relative to the other to produce a bending moment in a work area in the beam between the heads. The actuator means is arranged to produce a force couple on the heads which avoids transverse loading of the beam and resultant twist and which is adapted to selectively orient the plane of the applied couple relative to the desired bending plane to maintain single plane bending in beams of nonsymmetric cross section.