Lift-It® Manufacturing - General Information

6/25/13 Lift-It Manufacturing - General Information

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GENERAL INFORMATION

General Information

Sling Hitches

Slings carry their loads in one of three primary sling hitches. Most slings can be used in all three sling hitches, but some

slings are designed for use in only one hitch. Slings have the largest Work Load Limit when used in a basket hitch. The

vertical hitch Work Load Limit is 50% of the basket hitch. The synthetic choker hitch Work Load Limit is a maximum of

80% of the vertical hitch Work Load Limit.

Slings must be securely attached to the load and rigged in a manner to provide for load control to prevent slipping, sliding

and/or loss of the load. A trained, qualified and knowledgeable user must determine the most appropriate method of rigging

to help ensure load control and a safe lift.

CHOKER HITCH

Sling passes through one end around the load, while the other end

is placed on the hook. Load control is limited with only one sling

rigged in a choker hitch. A choker hitch will never provide full 360

degree contact. For full contact use a Double Wrap Choke Hitch.

See Choker Hitches. The Choke Point should always be on the

sling body, not on the sling eye, fitting, base of the eye or fitting,

splice or tag.

VERTICAL HITCH BASKET HITCH

One end is on the

hook, while the

other end is

attached directly to

the load. Use a

tagline to

prevent load

rotation.

The sling cradles the

load while both eyes are

attached overhead. As

with the choker hitch,

more than one sling

may be necessary to

help ensure load

control.

SLING-TO-LOAD ANGLE

The Sling-to-Load Angle is the angle formed between a horizontal line and the sling leg or body. The Sling-to-Load Angle

has a dramatic effect on sling Work Load Limits. Slings with adequate capacity to handle the scale weight of the load have

catastrophically failed because the Sling-to-Load Angle and increased tension were not taken into account.

This principle applies in a number of conditions, including when one sling is used to lift at an angle and when a basket hitch

or multi-leg bridle sling is used. When selecting a sling, always consider the Sling-to-Load Angle and the tension that will be

applied to the sling. As the Sling-To-Load Angle decreases, the tension on the sling leg(s) increases.

SLING-TO-LOAD ANGLE

The horizontal angle

formed between the sling

leg and the top of the

load.

Illustrated right - Increased

tension is magnified by any

change from vertical to

horizontal lifting. Increased

tension is imposed on the

sling leg(s) when the legs are

used at angles less than 90.

SLING ANGLE - REDUCED WORK LOAD METHOD

For years sling users have used angles to determine sling work

load adequacy. One approach has been to determine the sling-to-

load angle and multiply the work load limit

LOSS FACTOR CHART

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load angle and multiply the work load limit

by the loss factor for the specific angle. The result is the REDUCED

WORK LOAD.

1. Calculate the sling to load angle

2. Determine the corresponding loss factor

3. Multiply the work load limit by the loss factor to determine

the reduced work load.

The result is the reduced work load limit.

Single angles of less than 30 should not be used, unless

approved by a qualified person.

LOSS FACTOR CHART

Angle "A"

DegreesLoss Factor

Angle "A"

Degrees

Loss

Factor

90 1.000 55 .8192

85 .9962 50 .7660

80 .9848 45 .7071

75 .9659 40 .6428

70 .9397 35 .5736

65 .9063 30 .5000

60 .8660 25 .4226

SLING ANGLE INCREASED TENSION METHOD

Another more salient approach is to determine the INCREASED

TENSION by the angle of lift. This approach has the distinct

advantage of enabling the sling user to determine the required

sling strength requirement. The user must first determine the angle

and multiply the load weight by the tension factor for the specific

angle. The result is the INCREASED TENSION or actual loading on

the sling leg(s).

1. Calculate the sling to load angle

2. Determine the corresponding tension factor

3. Multiply the load weight by the tension factor to determine

the loading on the sling leg(s).

TENSION FACTOR CHART

ANGLE "A"

DEGREES

TENSION

FACTOR

ANGLE "A"

DEGREES

TENSION

FACTOR

90 1.000 55 1.221

85 1.004 50 1.305

80 1.015 45 1.414

75 1.035 40 1.555

70 1.064 35 1.742

65 1.104 30 2.000

60 1.155 25 2.364

Single angles of less than 30 should not be

used, unless approved by a qualified person.

CHOKER HITCH ANGLE



CHOKER HITCH ANGLE REDUCTION CHART

Choker Hitch Angle

(Degrees)Reduction Factor

120 - 180 1.00

105 - 120 .82

90 - 105 .71

60 - 90 .58

0 - 60 .50

CENTER OF GRAVITY (CG)

It is always important to rig and control the load so that stability is achieved. Determining the location of the Center of Gravity

(CG) is vital to achieving load control. The CG is the point where the load weight is concentrated and is the balance point for

an object. The Center of Gravity when suspended will:

1. Unless restrained, the CG will move directly under the suspension point.

2. The CG will move to the lowest point possible.

For best control, attach the slings above the CG. When this is not possible keep the CG contained with three or four sling

legs or use basket or choker hitches with wraps. These measures may not guarantee load control. The user must be

assured, based upon the specific application that selected methods are suitable and comply with all applicable standards

and regulations.

Multiple factors must be taken into consideration to ensure that load control and stability are attained. A load

with a high center of gravity can rotate in certain sling hitches.

SLING TENSION - LEG LENGTH/HEADROOM

Calculating the tension imposed on slings or individual legs of a multi-part sling system will enable the sling user to

select slings with adequate Work Load Limits.

Use the following steps to calculate the tension imposed upon the individual sling legs, when you know the leg Length (L)



Use the following steps to calculate the tension imposed upon the individual sling legs, when you know the leg Length (L)

and Headroom (H).

1) Determine the Load Factor (LAF):

Divide the leg length (L) by the headroom (H)

L H = LF

Example: 20 15 = 1.33 Load Factor (LAF)

2) Determine the Share of the Load (SOL) for the

individual sling legs:

Divide the load weight by the number of sling legs.

Load weight number of legs = Share of the Load

(SOL)

Example: 12,000 lbs 3 legs = 4,000 lbs. (SOL)

3) Multiply Load Factor by the Share of the Load to

determine Sling Tension

Load Factor x Share of the Load = Tension

LAF x SOL = Tension

Example: 1.33 x 4,000 = 5,320 lbs.

Please Note: Tension calculations are based upon:

1. Sling attachment points being equidistant from the

center of gravity

2. Sling attachment points being equidistant to each

other.

3. Sling attachment points being on the same horizontal

plane

4. Equal sling leg lengths

SLING TENSION - PROPORTIONAL SHARE OF THE LOAD

More complex calculations are required when the slings are not placed equidistantly from the center of gravity or when the

Center of Gravity is not equidistant from the sling attachment points. The PROPORTIONAL SHARE OF THE LOAD (SOL) must

be determined and multiplied by the LOAD ANGLE FACTOR (LAF) to determine SLING TENSION.

Sling tension is a function of sling length, distance between the sling attachment points and the spatial relationship

between the sling attachment points and the Center of Gravity. An inverse proportional relationship exists between Distance

and Share of the Load. If a sling is attached 25% of the distance from the Center of Gravity, that sling will carry 75% of the

load weight. Likewise, if a sling is attached 75% of the distance from the Center of Gravity, that sling will carry 25% of the

load weight.

SLING TENSION - DIFFERENT HORIZONTAL PLANES



GENERAL INFORMATION

Slings should be rigged in a manner that provides proper load control. It is dangerous to use only one sling to lift a load

which tends to shift and slide out.

(One sling is depicted for illustrative purposes only).

Ensure that lifting devices are directly over the center of gravity. If this is

difficult to determine, it must be discovered by cautious experimentation or

calculation. Raise the load carefully. If the load is not level, lower and

correct the position of the slings until the balance point is achieved and

the load does not tilt.

ADJUSTABLE BASKET HITCH

The adjustable basket hitch allows the sling user to adjust the length of the legs to raise the

load level. Adjustable hitches are particularly useful with loads having uneven load weight

distribution resulting in an off-set center of gravity.

The Adjustable Basket Hitch Work Load Limit is identical to the regular basket hitch rating.

The rating must be adjusted for the Sling-to-Load Angle. Another effective solution is an

Adjustable Rope Sling featured on the following products:

Single Leg - Adjustable Rope Slings

Double Leg - Adjustable Rope Slings

Adjustable Rope Slings W/Top Link

Adjustable Rope Slings W/Top Link

BASKET HITCHES

Inverted basket hitches are referred to as equalizing hitches

because the sling is free to slip through the hook based

upon the load weight distribution. Be sure to employ the four

ends down, North to South, load engagement system.

Extra care should be taken when using slings in abasket hitch to balance the load to prevent slippage.

As with the choker hitch, more than one sling may be

necessary to control the load.

If practical, take a full wrap around the load to grip it

firmly; be sure when using multiple slings that they do



not cross over each other. Wrapping the load is a

legitimate method of minimizing excessive sling length.

Other methods, such as, twisting and knotting radically

reduce sling Work Load Limits. When the load is

wrapped the sling Work Load Limit is not increased,

but load control is..

Slings skipping through hardware

components can become damaged. Balancing the load is

critical and necessary to prevent sling damage and failure

CHOKER HITCHES

The choke hitch should always be pulled tight before the lift

is made, not pulled down during the lift. A sling rigged in a

choker hitch (not double wrapped) does not make full

contact with the load. Use multiple slings to balance the

load, and wrap the load to ensure full contact. Ensure

multiple slings do not cross. Choke on opposite sides of the

load, if this action will not damage the load and maintain

load control.

For a tighter choke hitch, which provides full, 360contact with the load, take a full wrap around the load

before choking the sling. Ensure that multiple slings do

not cross. When the load is wrapped the sling Work

Load Limit does not increase, but load control does.

Please note:

One sling is depicted for illustrative purposes only.

Always use a choker hitch when turning a load. If the sling is

not rigged properly, the turning action will loosen the hitch,

resulting in load slippage. Place sling eyes on top of the

load, pointing the opposite direction of the turn. The body is

then passed under the load and through both eyes. Blocking

should be used to protect the sling and facilitate removal.

Basket hitches should not be used to turn a load. Always

downgrade the choker Work Load Limit when the angle of

choke is less than 120.

The sling should be of sufficient length to ensure that thechoke action is on the sling body, never on the sling

splice, fittings, tag, eye or at the base of the sling eye or

fitting.

ADJUSTABLE HITCH

The Adjustable Hitch allows the sling user to adjust the length of the legs to raise the load

level. Adjustable hitches are particularly useful with loads having uneven load weight

distribution resulting in an off-set center of gravity. The Work Load Limit for the Adjustable

Hitch is identical to the normal Vertical Work Load Limit. The Adjustable Hitch works

reasonably well on narrow web slings (1 and 2 in. widths) and roundslings rated at less

than 7000 Lbs. choker.

DOUBLE CHOKER HITCH



The Double Choker Hitch if applied properly will facilitate equalization of

the loading on the sling legs over the lifting hardware. If applied

improperly, one of the legs will share a greater portion of the load and

equalization will not occur. The Double Choker Hitch Work Load Limit is

twice the regular Choker Hitch Work Load Limit.

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