When you are undertaking crane rigging, one of the things you should pay attention to is the type of slings that you use in your work. For you to get the most from the slings, you need to ask yourself a number of questions:
- Is the sling in good condition?
- Will the sling keep the load secure and stable?
- Is the sling compatible with the rigging hardware?
- Could the sling damage the equipment that is being rigged?
- Could the rigging application break or get damaged during the lift?
If the answers to these questions are positive, you should go ahead and buy the sling. There are many types of slings in the market that you can go with. Some of the best ones are:
Synthetic web slings
The slings form easily to the shape of the load, providing a non-slip grip on the load. When you use them properly, they are less likely to damage the loads that you are looking to lift. They also are less likely to scratch loads with polished surfaces such as HVAC units.
When you take good care of them, they tend to last for a long time. If handling chemicals, you don’t have to worry as the pieces have been shown to be highly effective at resisting chemical damage.
While the slings are great, they tend to burn easily as a result of being exposed to acids or caustics. The slings also melt or char when they get into contact with flames or extremely hot surfaces.
When you are lifting objects with sharp edges, you should be cautious as the slings are susceptible to cuts from the sharp objects.
Wire rope slings
Many people go for these as they are strong and resistant to heat. Properly made ropes also tend to be highly flexible. While they are good, they tend to be vulnerable to environmental conditions. They are also subject to kinking which has been shown to greatly weaken the wire rope.
If the wire rope sling is made from smaller wires, it tends to be more susceptible to abrasive wear.
Alloy steel chain slings
They are strong and when you take good care of them, they can last for a very long time. Since the slings are tough, they perform well in harsh environments. This makes them an ideal choice when working in extreme industrial areas.
When using the slings, you should avoid making sudden jerks as they can weaken and even break them. While they are tough, they are susceptible to other forms of damage such as nicks, rust, and gouges, all of which are known to weaken the sling.
When you don’t properly attach them to the load, the slings tend to easily damage the loads.
Synthetic round slings
They are soft; therefore, they are less likely to damage the loads. They also don’t easily scratch the loads with polished surfaces.
Due to the material used in making them, you should avoid using them in extremely hot areas as they tend to easily melt and char. You also should avoid exposing them to core yarns as they render the slings ineffective.
How to take care of slings
For the slings to last for a long time, you need to take good care of them. One of the things you should do is to inspect them before you do any form of rigging. If you notice any form of serious tear, you should avoid using the slings as they will be too dangerous.
When you are renting the slings, ensure that you rent them from a reputable rigging services MD company. This way you are sure that you will get high quality and properly maintained slings.
