Wire Rope Slings: Different Types & Their Capacities

Wire rope slings are an essential tool for rigging, lifting, and transporting heavy or awkward loads. Wire rope is a durable material that resists damage from abrasion or heat.

What Are Wire Rope Slings?

Wire rope slings are a type of sling made from twisted wire ropes with loops on each end for securing the load. Charts often define wire rope slings capacities based on:

• Manufacturer and product type
• Material
• Design
• Type of hitch
• Loading angle
• Additional leg factors

The Different Types of Wire Rope Slings

There are several types of wire rope slings to choose from, and at Greenshields Industrial Supply, we can make your wire rope slings to your specifications. Some wire rope sling assemblies you can select include:

• Single part slings. A single piece of wire rope forms single part slings, with a securing cap placed at the end of each loop to secure the loose end.
• Socketed rope assemblies. These wire rope slings feature permanently affixed fittings secured with either a spelter socket or a swaged socket.
• Braided rope slings. Braided slings feature several braided wire cables often used for basket handling. The braided rope offers more flexibility, friction, stress distribution, capacity, and kink resistance.
• Galvanized cable laid slings. These multi-cable wire rope slings with Flemish eyes add flexibility to a lift.
• Stainless steel slings. Many types of wire rope slings come in a stainless steel variety for added corrosion resistance, strength, and durability.

Wire Rope Slings Capacity Charts

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers several wire rope slings capacity charts for several types of sling. See Tables 7-15 for wire rope slings capacities.

Some information you must know about your sling to use wire rope slings capacity charts include:

• Hand-tucked vs. mechanical splice
• Swaged or poured socket fittings
• Cable material
• Cable diameter
• Single-leg or multi-leg hitch
• Angle of the hitch

Everything You Need to Know about Using Wire Rope Slings

When using wire rope slings, remember these key points:

• Check the rated capacity of the sling and know the weight and distance of the load movement.
• Heed all warnings about loading angles and usage.
• Use controlled movements to manage the load and never shock load.
• Inspect the body and other parts of the sling before using.
• Set up the rigging around the load first, then attach the wire rope sling to the hook.
• Stand clear of the load during lift, movement, and landing.
• If you need to control a load during a lift, use a tagline or tether.
• After a lift, inspect the sling for signs of damage. If you don’t see damage, return the sling to storage.
• If a sling displays too much damage to remain functional, destroy it immediately.

Contact Greenshields Industrial Supply for Wire Rope Lifting Slings

At Greenshields Industrial Supply in Everett, WA, we have helped our customers find wire rope slings since 1953. Before searching for “wire rope slings near me,” contact us today for help getting custom wire rope lifting slings for industries across the Pacific Northwest, including logging, construction, marine construction, aerospace, and more.