Chain Slings for Lifting

Chain Sling – A Heavy-Duty Lifting Solution

What is a Chain Sling?

A chain sling or lifting chain is a robust lifting sling made from high-strength alloy steel chain links, designed for lifting, lowering, and securing heavy loads in industrial environments. Known for their durability, versatility, and resistance to wear, chain slings are widely used in construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, and logistics.

Types of Chain Slings

Chain slings come in several configurations to suit different lifting needs:

• Single-Leg Lifting Chain - Ideal for straight lifting applications.
• 2 Leg Lifting Chains - Provides greater load stability.
• 3 and 4 Leg Chain Slings - Perfect for complex and unbalanced loads.
• Adjustable Lifting Chains - By means of a shortening clutch or shortening grab hook, it allows flexibility in leg length for varied load sizes (the adjustable factor can be supplied on any of the above-mentioned number of legs).

Each chain sling can be fitted with different end fittings, such as hooks, shackles, or master links, depending on the lifting task.

Benefits of Using a Chain Sling

1. Extreme Strength - Built from alloy steel to handle heavy loads safely.
2. Durability - Resistant to abrasion, cutting, and high temperatures.
3. Versatility - Suitable for lifting irregularly shaped or unbalanced loads.
4. Adjustability - Can be customised to specific lifting requirements.

Chain Sling Safety & Maintenance

To ensure safe operation, always:

• Inspect the chain sling before each use for wear, stretching, or damage.
• Follow the Working Load Limit (WLL) guidelines provided by the manufacturer.
• Store your lifting chains properly to prevent rust and corrosion.
• Replace damaged components immediately.

Common Applications of Lifting Chains

• Construction sites - Lifting beams, rebar, and heavy materials.
• Shipping and ports - Handling cargo and containers.
• Manufacturing plants - Moving machinery parts and large assemblies.
• Mining operations - Hoisting ore, equipment, and materials.

Why Choose a Chain Sling?

A chain sling is a long-lasting, reliable, and cost-effective lifting solution for industries that demand high performance under tough conditions. Whether you need a single-leg chain sling for simple lifts or a multi-leg adjustable sling for complex operations, chain slings deliver strength, safety, and efficiency.

Further Information on Chain Slings

Just follow a few easy steps in selecting your chain sling: Choose either a standard or stainless steel option, then you will see a section headed 'Pricing', from there you can select the desired components, length, diameter of the chain, the lifting capacity (Working Load Limit) that your chain sling needs, along with how many legs the sling requires, and tell us what end fittings and/or shortening clutches are required, all the while, for the standard configurations, you can see the price instantly! As standard, we offer Sling Hooks, Safety Hooks, C Hooks, Foundry Hooks and Clevis Shackles (some configurations may vary depending on SWL and if stainless or standard). Other configurations are available.

Lifting Chain Slings

Standard lifting chain slings are made from Grade 8 (or Grade 80) chains; however, if you would like a quotation for a chain sling with Grade 10 (or Grade 100) chains, don't hesitate to get in touch with our sales team and we will gladly provide a quotation for a Grade 10/100 chain sling to meet your lifting/slinging needs. Grade 100 slings offer a greater safe working load (SWL) for the same size and weight of sling. We offer an excellent choice of pump lifting chains, as often used by water authorities for maintenance and repair of submersible pumps.

Stainless Steel Chain Slings

Our Stainless steel chain slings are made to order, though generally can be made in only a few days from order. Our Grade 5 (50) Stainless lifting assemblies are mainly used in clean environments such as the food industry and are also popular with marine industries due to the corrosion-resistant nature; we now have a dedicated category for corrosion-resistant stainless steel pump lifting chain sling assemblies for use in the water works industries and sewerage works. Stainless steel slings for lifting are usually requested for a special application or in a non-standard environment.

All of our lifting chain slings can be supplied 1 leg (single leg), 2 legs, 3 legs or 4 legs, and all are CE and are issued with a certificate of thorough examination.

Please get in touch with us if you need any help or reassurance in deciding on the correct chain lifting sling to suit your application.

As an alternative to chain slings

We can also supply soft lifting slings in various material types, the most common of which can be bought online here at Lifting Safety. Further to this, we can also supply wire rope slings to your specifications, which have only recently been added to our online catalogue.

Optional Number of Legs / Chains

Here are some examples of chain slings with different numbers of legs. As standard, the number of legs is between 1 and 4, but there are some instances where 5 legs are offered, though this tends to be the DNV-certified type for offshore use.

Single leg chain sling with a standard sling hook

2 legged chain sling with self-locking hooks and chain shortening clutches

3 legged chain sling with shortening clutches and standard sling hooks

4 legged chain sling with shortening grab hooks and clevis shackles

Proper Use of Chain Slings in the Lifting Industry

Chain slings are essential lifting tools widely used in construction, manufacturing, and other heavy industries due to their strength, durability, and resistance to harsh conditions. However, their safe and effective use requires proper handling, inspection, and understanding of load dynamics.

1. Pre-Use Inspection

Before every lift, visually inspect the chain sling for:

• Cracks, nicks, or gouges in the links
• Bent or stretched components
• Worn components, hooks, connectors, chain, master link, etc.
• Deformation or corrosion
• Damaged tags (a sling must have an identifiable capacity tag to be used)

If any defect is found, the sling must be removed from service immediately and inspected by a qualified person.

2. Choosing the Right Sling

Select the correct type and configuration based on:

• Load weight
• Load shape and size
• Number of lifting points
• Headroom and lifting height
• Sling angle (affects load capacity due to tension changes)

Common configurations include single-leg, double-leg, triple-leg, and quad-leg slings. The sling angle should ideally be kept between 0° and 45° from the vertical using the Uniform Load Method of Rating from BS EN 818-4 (see example images to the right) to avoid overloading, but in most cases, chain slings are also rated for use with these angles being between 45° and 60°, in which instances, the chain sling capacity or WLL (working load limit) would be reduced/de-rated.

3. Safe Lifting Practices

• Position the sling securely around the load using appropriate attachment points; hooks - grade 8 or grade 10 are the most common, shackles, lifting lugs, eye bolts, etc.
• Centre the load to ensure balance and avoid tilting
• Do not twist or knot the chain sling
• Use softeners or edge protectors on sharp corners to prevent damage to the chain and the load
• Lift slowly and steadily to avoid dynamic or shock loading
• Never stand under a suspended load

4. During the Lift

Maintain clear communication between riggers, signalers, and crane operators. Monitor the load for any signs of imbalance, shifting, or abnormal stress during lifting or lowering.

5. Post-Lift Care

After the lift:

• Lower the load carefully and release tension before unhooking
• Inspect the sling again for any damage during the lift
• Clean the sling if it was exposed to chemicals, debris, or moisture
• Store it in a clean, dry, and designated area away from corrosive materials or extreme temperatures