3 LEGGED CHAIN SLINGS
A
3-Legged Chain Sling is a critical piece of rigging gear designed for lifting
loads that have three designated lifting points or for loads where 3-point
stability is required for balance.
As the
owner of Apex Global WeldLift & Safety Solutions, you should
position these as the "Gold Standard" for heavy-duty, permanent
rigging in harsh industrial environments.
What is a 3-Legged Chain Sling?
It is a
single-master-link assembly that branches out into three individual chain legs,
each terminating in a lifting hook (typically grab hooks, sling hooks, or
self-locking hooks).
Important Engineering Note: A 3-leg sling provides stability for triangular-shaped loads. If your
client has a load with 4 lifting points, they should not use a 3-leg
sling (it will leave one point unsupported and overload the remaining legs).
You must educate them on this.
Applications & Use Cases
- Circular or Triangular
Loads:
Ideal for heavy components like large motor housings, industrial pumps, or
pre-cast concrete structures with 3 lifting lugs.
- Heavy Manufacturing: Used to move heavy
machinery components within a factory where the load center of gravity is
offset.
- Construction: Positioning structural
steel components or heavy valves in piping systems.
- Harsh Environments: Unlike webbing slings,
chain slings are used where the load has sharp edges, or where high
temperatures are present (steel mills/welding shops).
WLL (Working Load Limit) Details & The
"Angle Factor"
This is
the most important conversation to have with your clients. The WLL of a chain
sling is not fixed; it changes based on the angle of the legs.
- The Standard Rating: WLL is typically rated at a
90° inclusive angle (the angle between two legs).
- The Angle Rule:
- 0° to 45°: Maximum efficiency.
- 45° to 60°: WLL is reduced by
approximately 30%.
- Above 60°: Generally not recommended;
the tension on the legs increases exponentially, risking mechanical
failure.
- Apex Global WLS Recommendation: Always include a "Load
Angle Chart" in your catalog so your customers know exactly what
their lifting capacity is based on how they rig the load.
Advantages of 3-Legged Chain Slings
- Extreme Durability: Made from Grade 80 or Grade
100 alloy steel, they are virtually indestructible compared to synthetic
slings.
- Cut & Heat Resistance: They can be used against
sharp steel edges and in high-heat areas without losing integrity.
- Adjustability: If you sell them with Shortening
Hooks (Clutch Hooks), the operator can adjust the length of individual
legs to balance the load if the center of gravity is not perfectly in the
middle.
- Visibility: Any deformation (stretching
or twisting) is immediately visible to the naked eye, whereas internal
damage in a fiber sling is often invisible.
Apex Global WLS Professional Chain Slings
Apex Global WLS 3-Legged Alloy
Steel Chain Slings
Engineered
for Absolute Load Stability
Apex
Global provides high-strength, Grade 80/100 chain slings tailored for
heavy-duty industrial lifting. Each sling is assembled with precision forged
components and is proof-load tested to ensure compliance with international
safety standards.
- Material: High-Tensile Forged Alloy
Steel.
- Customization: Available with Sling Hooks,
Self-Locking Hooks, or Foundry Hooks.
- Adjustability: Optional shortening
clutches available for center-of-gravity balancing.
- Traceability: Every assembly is supplied
with an Apex Global Test Certificate.
|
Capacity (WLL) at 90°
|
Chain Size (mm)
|
Safety Factor
|
|
2.1 Ton
|
6mm
|
4:1
|
|
3.5 Ton
|
8mm
|
4:1
|
|
6.0 Ton
|
10mm
|
4:1
|
|
11.2 Ton
|
13mm
|
4:1
|
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