Do you have an upcoming construction or mining project that involves lifting heavy materials? Rigging or lifting slings are some of the most significant pieces of lifting equipment you will need for the project. Besides securing the load, slings also provide attachment points for the crane's, forklift's, or hoist's lifting mechanism, making the whole lifting process as effortless as it should be. However, rigging slings are available in many different styles and materials to suit multiple lifting applications.
Some of the standard lifting sling options include synthetic slings, wire rope slings, fibre rope slings, metal mesh slings, and chain slings. Each category comes with its benefits and drawbacks and is best suited for a wide range of applications. However, you may be better off with chain slings, and here is why.
1. Durability
Strength and durability are essential when working with lifting slings. You want a sling that will hold up well against impact and the elements. Chain slings tend to outperform other sling types in this regard. They are highly resistant to impact, abrasion, cuts, UV radiation, and even chemicals. Chain slings can also withstand high temperatures without losing their working load limit and are insusceptible to grease, dirt, or oil damage, unlike other options such as synthetic slings.
All these properties make them excellent for use in virtually all kinds of environments. Further, compared to other sling types, they elongate the least under high tensioning, which is critical as it prevents them from breaking when being overloaded. However, even so, always check your loads' maximum weight to ensure it is within the chain sling's load capacity.
2. Flexibility
Flexibility is another key advantage that comes with using chain slings. And this cuts across many components. Their design is such that they are made up of chain links. Therefore, it is extremely easy to adjust the sling whenever necessary. Chain link segments or individual chain links can easily be adjusted to increase or reduce their length, and this can be done on-site.
They are also repairable because broken or damaged chain links in the sling can be removed and new ones re-joined. You can also reduce downtime because this can be done in the field. Other sling types such as wire ropes and synthetic fibres are not repairable, which means you would have to replace the entire sling in case of damages, which can be pretty costly.
If you have rigging questions, contact heavy construction equipment services.
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