Wire rope slings

Wire rope slings are used to move objects of various weights and shapes. Their wide range of applications is due to their reliability and simple design. They are made from high-strength steel wire ropes, which makes them both flexible and strong.

What wire rope slings are

Lifting devices of this type are used for loading and unloading objects and towing various equipment. Both ends of the lifting assembly have a loop or ring. These are used for attaching to the end fittings or brackets of the object. In some cases, the sling is a length of wire rope whose ends are joined together, forming a permanent ring.

Loops are made by splicing or swaging. Specialized aluminium ferrules are used for the joint. They securely hold the sections of wire rope forming the loop and prevent them from shifting relative to each other.

The flexibility and strength of a given model depend on the wire rope used. Slings may also be fitted with thimbles and end fittings. In some cases, individual legs can be combined into a multi-leg assembly. Such devices are often used on cranes for moving large, oversized objects.

Types of wire rope slings

Lifting devices are divided into several categories by type. The technical specifications and intended use differ between groups, which should be taken into account when selecting a sling. Types:

1. SKP. Loop-type wire rope slings. They are made by splicing or joining with an aluminium ferrule. This design has loops on both ends, intended for attachment to a bracket and to the lifting mechanism. SKP slings are often used for towing vehicles.
2. SKK. Ring-type wire rope slings. These form a permanent ring made from flexible wire rope, with the ends joined by splicing or swaging.
3. 1SK. Single-leg slings with a master link at one end and an end fitting at the other. 1SK slings are often fitted with a hook for quick attachment to a bracket.
4. 2SK. Two-leg slings. They consist of two 1SK legs joined together by a master link at the attachment point to the lifting mechanism. They are used for lifting and moving objects with two mounting points, such as pipes, beams, narrow slabs, etc.
5. 3SK. Three-leg slings. Three wire rope legs are attached to a single master link.
6. 4SK. Four-leg devices. They are used for loading and unloading objects with multiple attachment points. The multiple legs allow the load to be distributed evenly, making it possible to move heavy loads.
7. VK. Wire rope leg. This is a sling fitted with built-in thimbles. These are round or teardrop-shaped metal fittings with a groove on the outer surface. They prevent the link or end fitting from rubbing against the surface of the wire rope, thereby extending the service life of the sling.
8. GR. A ring sling with ends joined by splicing. The cross-sectional diameter remains unchanged.

When choosing a lifting device, its intended application should be taken into account. This helps eliminate the risk of the sling breaking and the load being damaged.

Sling applications

Wire rope devices are widely used across different fields. They are used in construction work, the laying of large-diameter pipelines, mining, logging, and other activities. Wire rope slings are also used for towing vehicles.

During use, the components should be regularly inspected for damage. Cracks on the outer surface indicate that the part has failed. Such slings must be rejected and replaced.

When selecting wire rope slings, their length and load capacity should be taken into account. Choosing products with the required technical specifications allows loading and unloading operations to be carried out safely.

Sling designation	Sling length, mm	Wire rope leg designation	Permissible load per attachment, t	Load capacity, t
4SK-0.63	900 - 5000	VK-0.32	0.32	0.63
4SK-0.8	900 - 5000	VK-0.32	0.32	0.8
4SK-1.0	900 - 5000	VK-0.4	0.4	1
4SK-1.25	1200 - 10200	VK-0.5	0.5	1.25
4SK-1.6	1200 - 10200	VK-0.63	0.63	1.6
4SK-2.0	1300 - 15000	VK-0.8	0.8	2
4SK-2.5	1300 - 15000	VK-1.0	1	2.5
4SK-3.2	1300 - 15000	VK-1.25	1.25	3.2
4SK-4.0	1600 - 16000	VK-1.6	1.6	4
4SK-5.0	1600 - 16000	VK-2.0	2	5
4SK-6.3	1600 - 16000	VK-2.5	2.5	6.3
4SK-8.0	1800 - 20000	VK-3.2	3.2	8
4SK-10.0	1800 - 20000	VK-4.0	4	10
4SK-12.5	1800 - 20000	VK-5.0	5	12.5
4SK-16.0	2500 - 25000	VK-6.3	6.3	16
4SK-20.0	2500 - 25000	VK-8.0	8	20
4SK-25.0	2500 - 25000	VK-10.0	10	25
4SK-32.0	2500 - 25000	VK-12.5	12.5	32
4SK-40.0	2500 - 25000	VK-16.0	16	40
4SK-50.0	2500 - 25000	VK-20.0	20	50

Wire rope sling (leg) designation	Sling (leg) length, mm	Thimble size, mm	Calculated breaking strength of wire rope leg, kN	Load capacity for straight lift, t
VK-0.32	800-5000	25	18.8	0.32
VK-0.4	800-5000	30	23.5	0.4
VK-0.5	1000-10000	30	29.4	0.5
VK-0.63	1000-10000	34	37	0.63
VK-0.8	1000-15000	34	47	0.8
VK-1.0	1000-15000	40	59	1
VK-1.25	1000-15000	40	73.8	1.25
VK-1.6	1250-16000	45	94.2	1.6
VK-2.0	1250-16000	45	118	2
VK-2.5	1250-16000	56	147	2.5
VK-3.2	1250-20000	63	188	3.2
VK-4.0	1250-20000	63	236	4
VK-5.0	1250-20000	63	294	5
VK-6.3	1600-20000	75	370	6.3
VK-8.0	1600-20000	85	470	8
VK-10.0	1600-20000	95	588	10
VK-12.5	1600-20000	105	735	12.5
VK-16.0	1600-20000	120	941	16
VK-20.0	1600-20000	140	1177	20
VK-25.0	1600-20000	160	1471	25

Sling designation	Sling length, mm	Wire rope leg designation	Permissible load, t	Load capacity, t
1SK-0.32	900 - 5000	VK-0.32	0.32	0.32
1SK-0.4	900 - 5000	VK-0.4	0.4	0.4
1SK-0.5	1100 - 10000	VK-0.5	0.5	0.5
1SK-0.63	1100 - 10000	VK-0.63	0.63	0.63
1SK-0.8	1100 - 15000	VK-0.8	0.8	0.8
1SK-1.0	1100 - 15000	VK-1.0	1	1
1SK-1.25	1100 - 15000	VK-1.25	1.25	1.25
1SK-1.6	1400 - 16000	VK-1.6	1.6	1.6
1SK-2.0	1400 - 16000	VK-2.0	2	2
1SK-2.5	1400 - 16000	VK-2.5	2.5	2.5
1SK-3.2	1500 - 20000	VK-3.2	3.2	3.2
1SK-4.0	1500 - 20000	VK-4.0	4	4
1SK-5.0	1500 - 20000	VK-5.0	5	5
1SK-6.3	2000 - 20000	VK-6.3	6.3	6.3
1SK-8.0	2000 - 20000	VK-8.0	8	8
1SK-10.0	2000 - 20000	VK-10.0	10	10
1SK-12.5	2000 - 20000	VK-12.5	12.5	12.5
1SK-16.0	2000 - 20000	VK-16.0	16	16
1SK-20.0	2000 - 20000	VK-20.0	20	20
1SK-25.0	2000 - 20000	VK-25.0	25	25