​ The Guide To Chain Sling Types: Selection And Professional Application

    In the worlds of construction, manufacturing, shipping, and heavy rigging, the integrity of lifting equipment is importent. Among the most robust and versatile tools available are chains and slings. Unlike the synthetic slings, chain slings offer superior resistance to abrasion, heat, and cutting, this maks them indispensable for heavy-duty, high-temperature, and severe service applications. 

    Understanding the various configurations—from a basic lifting chain sling with hooks to a complex four leg chain sling—is critical for ensuring safety, efficiency, and compliance. This article helps you to make right decides about when to choose a single leg chain sling, double leg chain sling, four leg chain sling, endless chain sling, or a choke chain sling.

The Foundation: Understanding Chain for Rigging

The chain for rigging always make from alloy steel. The most common grades are Grade 80 and the higher-strength Grade 100. These grades indicate a minimum breaking strength. This high-quality chaine levage (lifting chain) must be certified and come with a legible, permanently attached Working Load Limit (WLL) tag.

Ⅰ.Types of Chain Sling Configurations and When to Select Them

     1. Single Leg Chain Sling – For Simple Vertical Lifts

         ● When to Choose: When your load is stable, has a single, overhead lifting point, and requires a straightforward vertical lift. It is suitable for lifting items with eyebolts, shackles, or a single lug, such as machinery components, crates, or forgings.

         ● Characteristics: This is a lifting chain sling with hooks or shackles. It is easy to inspect and handle. It provides 100% of its rated capacity in a vertical hitch.

     2. Double and Triple Leg Chain Slings – For Balanced and Stable Lifting

         ● When to Choose: When you need to lift a load that has two or three lifting points to ensure balance and stability. They are suitable for lifting engines, containers, or large concrete panels where a single point isn't sufficient to control the load. They can prevent dangerous swinging and tilting.

         ● Characteristics: These slings connect two or three chains to a master link. It is crucial to ensure the legs share the load equally. The capacity of each leg is derated as the angle from horizontal increases.

     3. Four Leg Chain Sling – For Large, Platform-Style Loads

         ● When to Choose: When there is a large, rectangular, or palletized loads that have four clearly defined lifting points. This configuration is the standard for lifting pre-cast concrete elements, large metal frames, and shipping containers, as it provides maximum stability and load distribution.

         ● Characteristics: With four legs connected to a common master link, it is designed to keep the load level. 

     4. Endless Chain Sling (Grommet) – For Max Versatility

         ● When to Choose: Select it for use in a basket hitch to cradle and support long, delicate loads like pipes or trusses (doubling its vertical capacity).

         ● Characteristics: Fabricated by connecting the chain ends to form a continuous circle, it has no terminals, making it compact and adaptable to various shapes and hitch configurations.

     5. Choke Chain Sling – For Securing Cylindrical and Hard-to-Hold Loads

         ● When to Choose: When you need to lift cylindrical, oblong, or hard-to-grip loads like pipes, drums, rolls of steel, or large tires. The choke hitch provides a secure grip that prevents the load from slipping out during the lift. This is essential when vertical lifting points are unavailable.

         ● Characteristics: A choke chain sling can be a dedicated single-leg sling with a long grab hook for adjustment or an endless chain sling used in a choke configuration. Must remember that a choke hitch reduces the sling's WLL to 75% of its vertical rating.

     6. Adjustable Chain Sling – For Flexibility Application

         ● When to Choose: An adjustable chain sling is the best solution for a workshop or site that handles a wide variety of load sizes and shapes. Its main advantage is the ability to quickly change the leg length without tools, making it perfect for lifting loads with off-center centers of gravity or for use in a diverse fleet where one sling can adapt to multiple tasks.

         ● Characteristics: It uses a patented chain sleeve or balance ring with multiple attachment points to allow for easy length adjustment. This improve efficiency and reduces the inventory of fixed-length slings needed.

Ⅱ. How to Select the Right Chain Sling: A Professional Guide

      1.  Working Load Limit (WLL) and Safety Factor:

           The WLL is the maximum allowed load in a straight, vertical pull. Please select a sling with a WLL that exceeds the total weight of the load. The safety factor for alloy chain slings is typically 4:1.

      2.  Type of Hitch: The configuration drastically affects capacity.

           ● Vertical Hitch: WLL = 100%.

           ● Basket Hitch: WLL = 200% (if legs are vertical).

           ● Choker Hitch: WLL = 75%.

      3.  Angle of Lift:

           In multi-leg slings, as the angle between the leg and the horizontal decreases, the tension in each leg increases exponentially. Always use a rigger's chart to derate the sling's capacity based on this angle.

      4.  Environment:

           Consider exposure to extreme heat (capacity must be derated above 400°F/204°C), chemicals, abrasion, and weather.

      5.  Load Characteristics:

           The shape, weight, center of gravity, and presence of suitable lifting points will be the ultimate guide in selecting the correct sling type, as detailed above.

Ⅲ.Conclusion

From the simple single leg chain sling to the highly adaptable endless chain sling and the secure choke chain sling, each type serves a distinct purpose. The choice between them is not merely a matter of capacity but of application.