Tips To Pick The Right Sling For Your Lifting Job

Are you a builder, structures supervisor, or the operations manager of your company’s next big project? 

Seasoned construction managers are aware of the importance of selecting the right sling for the job, however with many now available in the market, it can sometimes be tricky to decide between which type exactly would best suit your needs.

Here at Keble’s Trading, we are renowned throughout Victoria’s construction, industrial, transport and marine sectors for providing an extensive product range as well as incomparable customer service, helping you to decide on which piece of supporting equipment your task requires.

Lifting heavy loads needs to be performed safely and effectively, and for this a buyer’s peace of mind is crucial. When on site, you want the feeling of ease which comes from knowing that you are using superior lifting equipment which will operate efficiently and reliably every time.

Good quality lifting equipment should help you move heavy loads with ease and efficiency, and with complete confidence. At Keble’s Trading, we stock high tensile lifting equipment that complies with Australia’s strict safety, manufacturing and testing guidelines and standards.

Before we dive into the types of lifting equipment we supply here at Keble’s, we want to discuss why Keble’s is the preferred choice of many sectors when it comes to product reliability, further periodic testing options, and customer service which exceeds that of our competitors.

Having partnered with some of Australia’s big names in the game, as well as government sectors, we know which products to stock based on popularity for their durability, sustainability, and unparalleled craftsmanship. Couple this with our onsite testing team which ensures that your products continue to meet rigorous Australian Building Code safety guidelines and standards as well as employees who possess an abundance of knowledge on our products and how these can work for you.

We further pride ourselves on providing the best price point for what you need, and will aim to work with you and your budget whilst always offering a high-quality, trusted product that you can rely on.

Our diverse range of slings, which come in three different types, as well as their accessories, will have you spoilt for choice, but so as to save yourself being unsure or feeling overwhelmed, we wanted to discuss the types we offer below and their value points, so you can make a simplified and informed decision on the one that best suits your needs.

Chain Sling

The most popular choice in Australia for lifting purposes, the chain sling promotes durability, easy use for the handler, and is widely available (including it’s accessories and parts replacements). Chain slings are often used on job sites to lift heavy and awkward-shaped items such as: skip bins, concrete slabs, pre-fabricated structures, pipes, and various building materials.

Wire Rope Sling

Wire rope slings are commonly found throughout construction and industrial job sites for their great strength, tractability and renowned resistance to corrosion. Wire rope slings are often used in construction, manufacturing, marine and oil & gas settings where lifting heavy loads are required and the environmental conditions can be tough on the materials.

Fibre Rope / Synthetic Material Slings

Commonly used for lifting fragile loads, synthetic material slings are lightweight, highly flexible, and are easy for the handler to use. It’s important to note about these types of slings that although they are relatively inexpensive compared to the above-mentioned types, they can be easily damaged due to their material fragility.

Due to the flexible materials of fibre rope or synthetic material slings, they are usually utilised in settings where awkward or abstract-shaped objects are required to be lifted, as the material easily conforms to the shape of the item needing to be lifted. Many settings in construction, painting and marine, whether for temporary or permanent lifting purposes, utilise material slings as an inexpensive option for the material’s pliability, load grip, as well as for the material not marring the surface of the load.

With each of these promoting durability, reliability and ease of use, help with determining which sling type would be best suited to your project can be narrowed down by assessing the following:

- What is the size of the load needing to be lifted?

- What is the load’s weight?

- What is the shape of the load needing to be lifted?

- What is the temperature of the material being lifted? Is it sensitive?

- What are the environmental conditions on the days utilising the sling/s for the load?

- What will be the frequency of use for the sling needed?

If you’re still unsure about which sling type would be the wisest investment for your next big job, give us a call today to speak with one of our knowledgeable team members who can direct you toward the product which would best suit your needs.

As well as slings themselves, we have all of the necessary components and accessories to further assist with and customise your sling to fit your needs exactly, such as various types of lifting equipment and lifting hooks. Give us a call today to find out more.

Lifting FAQs:

Question: What are the 3 types of slings?

Answer: The three types of slings are: the chain sling, the wire rope sling, and the fibre rope / synthetic material sling.

Question: What type of sling is most commonly used?

Answer: The most popular type of sling is the chain sling. Purchased for it’s ability to lift heavy loads due to it’s durability and ease of use for the handler, as well as it and it’s accessories and replacement parts components all being widely available in the market.

Question: Are slings safe?

Answer: All slings sold in compliance with the Australian Building Code’s rigorous guidelines and standards have been tested to ensure they comply with these standards. Keeping you safe is ours and the ABC’s number one priority, and if adhering to the product’s safety and manufacturing guidelines, you should have full confidence in the safety of your sling.

For more information on how Keble’s Trading provides services in periodic testing of our chain sling and lifting equipment, watch this video here.

Question: How do you calculate sling load?

Answer: The safe working load (SWL) is dependent on many factors including, the type of sling used and it’s load capacity, the type of load being lifted, the shape of the load, and the load’s material. Please give us a call to discuss your requirements and we will be able to provide you more tailored advice for your specifications.

About Keble's Trading 

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