in one embodiment the center lifting rod 152 includes a swivel and shackle 162 so that the cable of the crane can be attached to the center lifting rod 152 the upper end is also capable of engaging the outer surface of the support bar 148 adjacent the upper aperture 161 a when in the extended position not shown the plurality of other lifting rods 150 154 156 158 and 160 are also movably disposed in the apertures 161 a u2013 b of the support beam between extended and retracted positions these rods have a lower end capable of releasably connecting to the cap at one of the lifting points when in the extended position these rods also have an upper end capable of engaging outside surface of the support beam adjacent the upper aperture 161 a when in the extended position such as rods 150 and 154 are shown in fig2 fig2 illustrates an embodiment of a lifting rod according to the present invention shown by way of example is a first end lifting rod 150 with an upper collar 166 at an upper end of the lifting rod and a large diameter area 168 at a lower end of the lifting rod the upper collar 166 which may be welded to the rod is a stop to keep the lifting rod 150 from sliding out of the support bar when the pile cap.