Picking Out the Right Lifting Sling

You’re at your favorite store looking to be buy those shiny new cleats for the anticipated soccer season. As you walk in you are overwhelmed at all the options that sit in front of you. You see brands like Nike, Adidas and Under Armour.

You just sit down and try to process everything that is around you. You need to do your homework before you buy the right, or wrong cleat. As an athlete no one wants the wrong the cleat. They want to make sure their feet are comfortable, and can perform all the tasks that are intended for the sport.

Before making the wrong decision, you will go over all the pros and cons of the cleat. When you finally make the decision on the right cleat you can see a sign of relief come across your face. You know you did everything that was needed to do to make sure the best cleat was possible was bought.

This same process should be used when picking out the right lifting sling for your project. You never want to just go into a shop and pick out any ordinary sling. You need to make sure the sling is right for the project you are intending to do.

So homework is very important. Doing the research before you walk into the shop will help you make a better decision when the sales rep comes up to and asks what type you are looking for. Being informed as much as possible will only help you in the end.

In the end, choosing the right sling for you can still be confusing even with all the research that you have done. One thing to take into consideration when choosing your lifting sling is the environment and conditions that your lifting sling will be working in.

With that in mind, here are a few things to know about your slings to help you make the most accurate decision possible.

Nylon Lifting Sling

Nylon Lifting Slings are a popular choice because of their multi-purpose uses. A nylon web sling is unaffected by petroleum products like grease and oil. Nylon slings are also resilient to specific chemicals including ethers, strong alkalies and aldehydes.

Nylon webbing is not a good choice for uses involving bleaching agents or acids, or for use in temperatures more than 194 degrees Fahrenheit (90 degrees Celsius). Nylon also stretches at approximately 8-10 percent, so it should not be used when elongation is not intended.

Polyester Lifting Sling

Like a nylon lifting straps polyester round slings, also have temperature guidelines, and are not advised for use in temperatures more than 194 degrees Fahrenheit (90 degrees Celsius). Unlike nylon, they will stretch only approximately 3 percent of its rated capacity.

A polyester round sling can handle acidic environments because the fabric is not affected by bleaching agents or common acids. Polyester webbing, however, should not be used if it will come in contact with sulfuric acids or alkaline.

Chain Lifting Sling

Chain lifting slings are ideal for rugged environments and jobs. They resist abrasions, cutting and can maintain their strength and integrity even in extremely high temperatures up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degree Celsius).

Chain slings are generally constructed in Grade 80 steel, but a Grade 100 chain is usually available on request. Grade 100 chain offers more strength (about 25 percent more) for lifting chains, yet weighs less than traditional Grade 80 lift chains. Another benefit of a chain sling is its ability to be customized for almost any type of lift. However, a chain hoist can be expensive and the prices can vary due to the market fluctuations.

Wire Rope Lifting Sling

Wire rope lifting slings are similar to a chain sling in that it offers excellent durability, strength and resistance to high temperatures. Wire rope, however, is more cost-efficient than chain so it’s a great choice if price is a concern.

Because abrasion-resistance and flexibility of the wire rope can change depending on its configuration, a chain sling can be manufactured using a specific type of wire rope. Typically, wire rope is made from either 6×19 or 6×37 classes of rope.

A 6×19 is the most widely used because of its ideal combination of flexibility and abrasion resistance. A 6×37 class rope is more flexible, but offers less resistance to abrasion.

This is just a brief overview of some of the things to consider when picking out the best lifting sling for you. There, of course, will be other factors that will determine which lifting sling is the best fit for your specific job – such as the items being lifted, capacities needed and other factors.