How to choose lifting slings: rated load and hitch type

To lift a load with a crane or hoist, choose a polyester sling whose rated load, read on the label for the type of hitch you will use, is greater than the weight of the load. A flat webbing sling suits loads with regular surfaces, a round sling suits delicate or shaped loads, and an endless sling is the one to use when you want to be able to switch between straight lift, choke hitch and basket hitch. In the collection you will find slings from 1,000 to 3,000 kg in a straight vertical lift and endless slings up to 450 t, with a 7:1 safety factor.

The types

• Flat webbing slings: a polyester band, with eyes at the ends or endless. They sit well on loads with smooth, wide surfaces and are the most widely used type on site and in warehouses. One example is the SpanSet PowerStar 4ply flat webbing sling, from 2 t to 20 t.
• Polyester round slings: a loop of fibres inside a protective cover. They are soft, adapt to irregular shapes and do not mark surfaces. You will find them in many load capacities, like the Fervi FT2/2000 round slings.
• Endless slings: an endless loop for heavy loads, like the SpanSet Magnum-X, which reaches very high load capacities (from 5 t to 450 t).
• Adjustable and drop-end slings: textile slings with adjustable length or end fittings, for when the length has to be adapted to the load.
• Protection: corner protectors and protective sleeves. They do not lift anything but extend the life of the sling by protecting it from edges and abrasion.

How to choose by job

The features to look at

Rated load and hitch type. The same sling carries different loads depending on how you use it. In the collection's data, a sling with a vertical rated load of 1,000 kg has 800 kg in a choke hitch, 2,000 kg in a basket hitch, 1,400 kg in a basket hitch with legs at 45° and 1,000 kg at 60°. The same pattern applies to the 2,000 and 3,000 kg rated loads. Always take the value that matches how you will rig the load.

Angle between the legs. The wider the legs spread, the less the sling can carry. This is why the rated load is given at different angles.

Loop length. The endless slings in the collection range from 1 to 6 m. Choose a length that allows a correct angle without too much fabric bunching on the hook.

Standard. Look for compliance with EN 1492-1 for flat webbing slings and EN 1492-2 for round slings. The 7:1 safety factor is the value shown on the product pages.

Colour. On flat webbing slings the colour indicates the rated load: violet 1 t, green 2 t, yellow 3 t in a straight vertical lift. It lets you recognise the sling at a glance, but the figure that counts is the one on the label.

Common mistakes

• Looking at the maximum rated load and not the one for the hitch used. In a choke hitch the rated load drops compared with a straight lift.
• Ignoring the angle. With very wide legs each leg carries more than half the weight.
• Resting the sling on sharp edges without protection. A single edge is enough to cut polyester, even with a light load.
• Knotting or twisting the sling. A knot reduces the rated load and damages the fibres.
• Carrying on using a sling with cuts, burns or an illegible label. Without a label you no longer know what it can carry: discard it.

Frequently asked questions

Is a flat webbing sling or a round sling better?

The flat webbing sling is stable on regular loads and wide enough not to concentrate the weight. The round sling is softer and adapts to irregular shapes or delicate surfaces. For the same rated load, choose according to the shape and fragility of the load.

How do I work out the rated load if I use a basket hitch?

Read the value for the basket hitch and for the leg angle on the label or product page. In the collection's data, for example, a sling of 1,000 kg vertical carries 2,000 kg in a basket hitch with vertical legs and 1,400 kg with legs at 45°.

When should I discard a sling?

When it has cuts, burns or the label can no longer be read. Check the sling before every use, not once a year.

Can I use a polyester sling near heat sources?

Check the manufacturer's instructions for the temperature range. If in doubt, do not use it and ask for advice.

If you have a load in mind and are not sure what rated load and type of sling you need, take a look at the Lifting Slings collection and ask for a quote or advice from the AMES technicians.