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Sling Angles and Lifting Capacity

This document discusses how sling angles impact lifting capacity, emphasizing that decreased angles increase stress on the sling. It provides a method for calculating stress on slings using the Two-Legged Bridle Hitch formula and offers quick reference figures for capacity loss at various angles. Understanding these principles is crucial for safely attaching loads to lifting equipment.

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44 views1 page

Sling Angles and Lifting Capacity

This document discusses how sling angles impact lifting capacity, emphasizing that decreased angles increase stress on the sling. It provides a method for calculating stress on slings using the Two-Legged Bridle Hitch formula and offers quick reference figures for capacity loss at various angles. Understanding these principles is crucial for safely attaching loads to lifting equipment.

Uploaded by

vattubaobap
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

IAMU I OWA

toolbox talk
ASSOCIATION OF MUNICIPAL
UTILITIES

How sling angles affect lifting capacity


Remember this saying:
“As sling angles decrease, the sling stress increases.”

This means that as the horizontal angle between the sling legs decrease, the load on each
sling leg increases. The stress is the same whether a sling is used in the basket hitch or 2
slings are used, as with a 2-legged bridle hitch. Look at the angle of the sling legs in the
example below:

Imagine that your arms are holding a 5-pound load in each hand at these exact angles.
Which angle would be the most comfortable and allow you to hold that weight capacity for the
longest period of time? The stresses that you feel on your arms and shoulders are the same
stresses that the sling feels. Keep those angles and that stress in mind when you’re attaching
a load to any lifting equipment – mobile or stationary.

An easy way to determine the actual stress on a sling is by using the Two-Legged
Bridle Hitch calculation.

uDivide the Length of the sling by the Height of the hook from the top of the
load.
uMultiply that number by the weight of the load divided in half and the result
will be the stress on each leg (L/H x W/2).
uIf using a 3 or 4-Legged Bridle Hitch, divide the weight by 3. The 4th leg
doesn’t bear any weight; it’s for balance only. Lengthening the sling legs
will also increase the sling angle.

For quick figuring in the shop:


uA 60-degree leg angle causes a loss in lifting capacity of 15%
uA 45-degree leg reduces capacity by 30%
uA 30-degree leg causes a loss of 50% in lifting capacity

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