Selecting the Right Crane Sling

Interestingly, cranes have been used to lift and move heavy items since antiquity. Fossilized fragments 7mm rope have been found in one of the caves at Lascaux and are estimated to date back to approximately 15,000 BC. The Ancient Greeks used cranes, as well, using men or donkeys to power them. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately 40,000 crane operators employed in the United States today.

It is important to note there are several different kinds of cranes. Chain slings, for example, are typically constructed out of high strength alloy steel that is made specifically for the lifting industry. Other types of slings include lifting slings, wire rope slings, and web slings.

Synthetic web slings are made of nylon, and are lightweight, flexible and have wide bearing surfaces to help protect the load. They are the most popular type of sling and can be found in the maintenance department of every manufacturing environment, as well as businesses in the material handling industry.

Web slings are typically used in temporary work, such as construction and painting jobs. They are also the best choice for use on expensive loads, highly finished parts, fragile parts, and delicate equipment.

When selecting the best type of sling to use, consider the benefits of each type. Web slings’ benefits include strength, as they can hold up to 300,000 lbs, Safety, (they adjust to the load contour), load protection, since they will not deface or scratch highly polished or delicate surfaces, and long life. Whichever option you choose, be sure to put some time into the research. It could be the difference between a smooth operation, and a potentially dangerous situation.