Alloy Chain Slings

Alloy steel chains are often used because of their strength, durability, abrasion resistance and ability to conform to the shape of the loads on which they are used. In addition, these alloy chain slings are able to lift hot materials.

Alloy steel chain slings are made from various grades of alloy, but the most common grades in use are grades 80 lifting chain and 100 lifting chain.  Grade 120 alloy steel chain slings and Grade 50 stainless steel chain slings are also available upon request for the most demanding applications.  These alloy chain slings are manufactured and tested in accordance with ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) guidelines.  If other grades of chain are used, use them in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and guidance. 

We offer mechanical alloy chain slings and welded alloy chain slings in all sizes and configurations such as single leg alloy chain slings, double leg chain slings, triple leg alloy chain sling, quadruple leg alloy chain slings, or specialty alloy chain slings. 

All Horizon Cable Services new alloy chain slings include heavy duty tags which have been engraved with the use of a computerized engraving machine (not an illegible hand stamped tag) to show: 

• Size
• Grade
• Working Load Limit
• Number of Legs
• Serial Number
• Date of Manufacture

Mobile Load Testing Services & Inspections

Horizon Cable has the advantage by including complimentary on line certifications and product registry with no additional fees with  unlimited 24 hour access from anywhere in the world via the internet with all new alloy chain slings, wire rope slings, and synthetic web slings. We offer inspections and mobile proof test services for product verification, break testing, and load testing to ensure compliance for all your alloy chain slings we sell and repair.  Our mobile load testing services are available throughout the entire United States.  In addition to our mobile load testing services we have stationary test beds to service Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Wyoming, North Dakota, New Mexico and all surrounding areas.  Feel free to contact one of our industry professionals today at 866-369-9507.  

Attachments:
Use attachments, such as hooks,  master links, loc-a-loys (connecting links),  or welded coupling links that have a rated capacity at least equal to that of the alloy steel chain with which they are used. If attachments with rated capacities lower than the chain are used, ensure that the alloy chain sling is rated to the weakest component used on the sling.

Inspections:
Designate a qualified person to inspect alloy chain slings and all fastenings and attachments each day before use for damage or defects.

This qualified person also performs additional periodic inspections where service conditions warrant, as determined on the basis of:

• Frequency of alloy steel chain sling use
• Severity of service conditions
• Nature of the lifts being made
• Experience gained during the service life of alloy steel chain slings used in similar circumstances

Make periodic inspections of alloy steel chains slings at intervals no greater than 12 months.  A good guide to follow includes:

• Yearly for normal service use
• Monthly to quarterly for severe service use
• As recommended by a qualified person for special and infrequent service use.

By using Horizon Cable Services On Line Certification Program we do all the work for all your recordkeeping.  Once you purchase or recertify any alloy chain sling, synthetic web sling or wire rope sling we input the sling into our database with date of service, product information, and rig/unit number.  As a customer, you will get an automatic reminder 60 days prior to the annual recertification date emailed to the person of choice.  With the use of this innovative system our customers are now able to focus on their core business and the tedious process of recordkeeping is now off their shoulders.

Make a thorough inspection of alloy chain slings and attachments. Items to look for include:

• Wear
• Defective welds
• Nicks, cracks, breaks, gouges, stretch, bends, discoloration due to excessive heat
• Excessive pitting or corrosion
• Throat opening of hooks
• Missing or illegible sling identifications
• Other conditions that cause doubt as to continued safe use of the steel alloy chain sling

Where any such defect or deterioration is present, remove the alloy chain sling or attachment from service immediately.

Repairing / Reconditioning:
Do not use worn or damaged alloy steel chain slings or attachments. Discard or repair them.  Use damaged lifting slings only after they are repaired, reconditioned, and proof tested by Horizon Cable Service. 

Steel Alloy Chain Sling Selection

For multiple-leg alloy chain slings used with nonsymmetrical loads, ensure that an analysis by a qualified person is performed to prevent overloading of any leg or branch

• Ensure that multiple-leg alloy chain slings are selected according to the specific angles for which they will be used. 
• Ensure that operations at other angles are limited to the rated load of the next lower angle or calculated by a qualified person
• Do not use a component unless it is the proper shape and size to ensure that it is properly seated in the hook or lifting device

Cautions to Personnel

Ensure that all portions of the human body are kept away from the areas between the alloy steel chain sling and the load and between the sling and the crane or hoist hook

• Ensure that personnel never stand in line with or next to the legs of an alloy steel chain sling that is under tension
• Ensure that personnel do not stand or pass under a  suspended load
• Ensure that personnel do not ride the alloy steel chain sling or the load, unless the load is specifically designed and tested for carrying personnel

Effects of Environment

Store steel alloy chain slings in an area where they will not be subjected to mechanical damage, corrosive action, moisture, extreme temperatures, or to kinking, and

• When steel alloy chain slings are exposed to extreme temperatures, follow the guidance provided by Horizon Cable Service or qualified person

Rigging Practices

Ensure that alloy chain slings are hitched in a manner providing control of the load

• Ensure that sharp edges in contact with alloy chain slings are padded with material of sufficient strength to protect the alloy chain sling
• Ensure that alloy chain slings are shortened or adjusted only by methods approved by the alloy chain sling manufacturer or a qualified person
• Ensure that, during lifting with or without a load, personnel are alert for possible snagging
• Ensure that, in a basket hitch, the load is balanced to prevent slippage
• When using a basket hitch, ensure that the legs of the alloy chain sling contain or support the load from the sides, above the center of gravity, so that the load remains under control
• Ensure that, in a choker hitch, the choke point is only on the sling body, never on a fitting
• Ensure that, in a choker hitch, an angle of choke less than 120 degrees is not used without reducing the rated load
• Ensure that alloy chain slings are not constricted, bunched, or pinched by the load, hook, or any fitting
• Ensure that the load applied to the hook is centered in the base (bowl) of the hook to prevent point loading on the hook, unless the hook is designed for point loading
• Do not shorten or lengthen a sling by knotting or twisting
• Do not rest loads on the alloy chain sling
• Do not pull an alloy chain sling from under a load when the load is resting on the alloy chain sling
• Do not drag alloy chain slings on the floor or over abrasive surfaces
• Do not allow shock loading
• Avoid twisting and kinking

Environmental Effects:

Do not use alloy steel chains that have been heated above 1,000 degrees F (538 degrees C). Remove them from service.

Alloy chain slings exposed to temperatures above 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) have reduced load ratings. Reductions in rated load for Grade 80 alloy chain slings and Grade 100 alloy chain slings used at and after exposure to elevated temperatures are available upon request.


The strength of alloy steel chain slings can be affected by chemically active environments. Consult Horizon Cable Service before the alloy chain sling is to be used in chemically active environments.