How to Choose a Lifting Sling
If you are unsure about which lifting sling is best for your application, contact our knowledgable sales staff Monday thru Friday 7:00am - 9:00pm at 800-404-7068 and they will be glad to help you! Your call will be answered promptly.
2: Determine the angle of the sling legs to the object (noted in the diagram as 60°).
3: Find your angle in the load factor chart (in this case it is 1.154).
4: Multiply the weight of the load by the load factor (1000 x 1.154 = 1,154 lbs.)
In this example, the lifting sling weight rating you would need would be 1,154 lbs. in a basket hitch rating. Keep in mind this is a basic lift example; more complicated loads, such as one that requires multiple lifting slings for one item, should be left up to a professional for more precise information.
If you have questions or are unsure what your sling requirements are, give us a call at 800-404-7068.
Choose your lifting sling based on:
Choose by material
Nylon Slings
- Most widely used multi-purpose sling
- Flexibility of the fabric prevents it from locking up on a load
- Strong, easy to handle, and relatively inexpensive
- Unaffected by oil and grease
- Resilient to aldehydes, ethers, and strong alkalies
- Not suitable for use with acids or bleaching agents
- Stretches approximately 8-10% at rated capacity
- Should not be used in temperatures over 194°F (90°C)
Polyester Slings
- Flexibility of the fabric prevents it from locking up on a load
- Unaffected by common acids and hot bleaching agents
- Not suitable for use around concentrated sulfuric acids or alkaline
- Stretch approximately 3-5% at rated capacity
- Should not be used in temperatures over 194°F (90°C)
- Lightweight polyester material is easy to handle and store when not in use
Wire Rope Slings
- Offers high strength and flexibility in a smaller diameter
- 6x19 class is most widely used due to a good combination of flexibility and wear resistance
- 6x37 class is used primarily in larger diameter wire rope; large number of strands per wire make it more flexible but lessens resistance to abrasion
- 7x7x7 class utilize ultra-flexible and corrosion-resistant galvanized aircraft cables
Chain Slings
- Strong, durable, flexible; collapses for easy storage
- Available in Grade 100 lifting chain
- Often used in high temperature or under adverse conditions that would normally destroy or wear other types of slings
- Wide variety of hook end fittings available
- Price can be substantially higher than the other types
- Generally do not stretch at rated capacity (or very minimally), but can stretch 15-20% prior to failure
Choose by style
Click below to learn about and compare different styles of slings:
Eye & Eye Slings
- A popular choice in nylon, as turning the eye inside out allows for additional surface wear
- Wire rope slings in this formation are also called a single leg lifting sling, a sliding choker lifting sling or a cable laid lifting sling
- Can be used in a choker hitch, vertical hitch or basket hitch
Twisted Eye & Eye Slings
Nylon Twisted
- A popular choice in nylon
- Great for multiple applications
- Can be used in a choker hitch, vertical hitch or basket hitch
- Turning the eye inside out allows for additional surface wear
Endless Lifting Slings
- A popular choice in nylon and polyester
- Can be used in a choker hitch, vertical hitch, and basket hitch.
Triangle Lifting Slings
Nylon Triangle
- Steel triangles at each end provides optimum protection from barbs on rough hooks or other rough edges
- Can be used in vertical hitches and basket hitches.
Triangle Choker Lifting Slings
Nylon Triangle Choker
- Offers same protection from wear as a triangle sling
- Can be used in a choker hitch, vertical hitch, and basket hitch.
Reverse Eye Lifting Slings
Nylon Reversed
- Cordura fabric sewn into the eyes and body offer protection from abrasion.
- Eyes of the reverse eye lifting sling stand open at 90° to the sling body to allow for easier choker and basket hitches.
- Can be used in a choker hitch, vertical hitch, and basket hitch.
Continuous Eye Wide Body Lifting Slings
Nylon Continuous
- Wide body provides load stability
- Excellent for handling delicate cargo or items with finished surfaces
- For use with basket hitches only
Attached Eye Wide Slings
Nylon Attached
- Also called light duty cargo basket lifting slings
- Similar to continuous eye wide body slings, but designed for light duty applications
- Sewn eyes help accommodate small hoist hooks
- Can be used in a choker hitch, vertical hitch, and basket hitch.
Bridle Slings
- Designed to allow multiple pulls at one time
- Configuration helps balance a load by distributing weight more evenly
- Legs are attached to one master link to eliminate hook crowding
- Available in single, double, triple, and quad configuartions
Boat Slings
Boat Slings
- Designed to safely lift boats
- Typically made of polyester, but also available in nylon
- Made to order to custom specifications; available for both small and large boats
Choose by rating
Load Factor Chart | |
Leg Angle | Multiplier |
90° | 1.000 |
85° | 1.003 |
80° | 1.015 |
75° | 1.035 |
70° | 1.064 |
65° | 1.103 |
60° | 1.154 |
55° | 1.220 |
50° | 1.305 |
45° | 1.414 |
40° | 1.555 |
35° | 1.743 |
30° | 2.000 |
It’s important to choose a lifting sling with a weight rating capacity strong enough to do the job you need it to do.
This calculation process is meant primarily for basket hitch applications as the angles of the legs will not be a factor in a vertical or choker hitch.
1: Determine the weight of the item you are lifting. In this example, the load is 1000 lbs.2: Determine the angle of the sling legs to the object (noted in the diagram as 60°).
3: Find your angle in the load factor chart (in this case it is 1.154).
4: Multiply the weight of the load by the load factor (1000 x 1.154 = 1,154 lbs.)
In this example, the lifting sling weight rating you would need would be 1,154 lbs. in a basket hitch rating. Keep in mind this is a basic lift example; more complicated loads, such as one that requires multiple lifting slings for one item, should be left up to a professional for more precise information.
If you have questions or are unsure what your sling requirements are, give us a call at 800-404-7068.