Sling Identification
SPARTAN SLING MFG NOTICE
All slings should be measured from
BEARING POINT to BEARING POINT
including the hardware
This is also called PULL TO PULL

Identifying Nylon Slings
There are 5 common styles of basic nylon slings.

Typically, nylon slings are ordered as SINGLE PLY or DOUBLE (2) PLY.
This is indicated on the tag & easily identified by viewing the sling
Identifying Nylon Bridle Slings
Nylon Bridle Slings will have a capacity & serial number tag affixed.
Bridle slings include overhead lift rated hardware.
Typically a grade 80 or grade 100 master ring or sub-assembly at the top and hooks at the end of the legs.
It is possible that there will not be any hardware at the ends of the legs as shackles or rated attachments may be used.
Nylon bridle slings are typically used in 2 leg, 3 leg or 4 leg arrangements.
All information is typically indicated on the tag attached to the bridle.
However, that tag will not indicate the ring size, hook capacity or grade at each leg.
Below are some examples
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2 leg nylon bridle Oval master ring - gr 80Grade 80 alloy eye type sling hooks with latches (right) |
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3 leg nylon bridle Oval master ring - gr 80Grade 80 alloy eye type sling hooks with latches (right) |
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4 leg nylon bridleOval master ring sub assembly - gr 80 5 ton carbon eye type sling hooks with latches(right) |
Identifying Round Bridle Slings
Round Bridle Slings will have a capacity & serial number tag affixed.
Bridle slings include overhead lift rated hardware.
Typically a grade 80 or grade 100 master ring or sub-assembly at the top and hooks at the end of the legs.
It is possible that there will not be any hardware at the ends of the legs as shackles or rated attachments may be used.
Round bridle slings are typically used in 2 leg, 3 leg or 4 leg arrangements.
All information is typically indicated on the tag attached to the bridle.
However, that tag will not indicate the ring size or hook capacity & grade at each leg.
Below are some examples
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2 leg round sling bridleOval master ring - gr 80 3 ton alloy eye type sling hooks with latches |
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3 leg round sling bridleOval master ring - gr 80 3 ton alloy eye type sling hooks with latches |
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4 leg round sling bridleOval master ring - gr 80 3 ton alloy eye type sling hooks with latches |
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Identifying Wire Rope Bridle Slings
Wire Rope Bridle Slings will have a capacity & serial number tag affixed.
Wire rope bridle slings are comprised of overhead lift rated hardware.
They must incorporate a grade 80 or grade 100 master ring or sub-assembly at the top.
Typically they also incorporate carbon or alloy eye type sling hooks at the end of the wire rope legs.
The loops may be standard (soft eye) or thimbled. (thimbles are always preferred)
It is possible that there will not be any hardware at the ends of the legs as shackles or rated attachments may be used.. as per engineer's stamped drawing.
Wire rope bridle slings are typically used in Single leg, 2 leg, 3 leg or 4 leg arrangements.
All information is typically indicated on the tag attached to the master ring.
Below are some examples
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Single leg wire rope sling with 1 thimbled eye and eye type sling hook(left)Single leg wire rope sling with 2 thimbled eyes no fittings (right) |
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2-leg wire rope sling oblong master ring, thimbled eyes and eye type sling hooks |
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3-leg wire rope sling oblong master ring and thimbled eyes (no fittings) |
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4-leg wire rope sling Oblong master ring (no thimbles, no fittings) |
Identifying Alloy Chain Slings
Alloy chain slings are comprised of overhead lift rated hardware.
They must incorporate a grade 80 or grade 100 master ring or subassembly at the top
They typically have grade 80 or grade 100 hooks at the end of the grade 80 or grade 100 chain legs.
It is possible that there will not be any hardware at the ends of the legs as shackles or rated attachments may be used..., as per engineer's stamped drawing.
Alloy chain slings are typically used in Single leg, 2 leg, 3 leg or 4 leg arrangements.
All information is typically indicated on the tag attached to the master ring.
Below are some examples
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SOG Single leg chain sling Grade 100 oblong master link Grade 100 grab hook |
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ADOS 2-leg chain sling Grade 80 oblong master ring Grade 80 Sling hooks Grade 80 grab hook adjusters |
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TOF 3-leg chain sling Grade 80 oblong master ring Grade 80 foundry hooks |
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AQOSL 4-leg chain sling Grade 100 oblong master ring Grade 100 self-locking hooks Grade 100 grab hook adjusters |
In some instances, loads to be lifted have uneven pick points.
These pick points must be accounted for in order to evenly distribute the weight during the lift.
This is easily accomplished on any alloy chain sling by adding shortening clutches or shortening hooks (adjusters).
The 'A' prefix (or suffix) indicates 'Adjusters'
Identify which style in your notations: clutch or hook style & manufacturer of the part
This method is used across North America although some companies show the 'A' at the end of the descriptor
ADOS or DOSA Regardless..... we need to know & we prefer the prefix style...
Grade 80 & Grade 100 Components
Only Grade 80 & Grade 100 chain are legal for overhead lifting.
Identification is marked on all grade 80 & grade 100 products.
Grade 80
Look for 8 or 80 or 800.
It will be cast onto rings, hooks & connecting links.
It will be embossed or stamped onto chain links.
Typically orange, red or yellow in color.
Grade 100
Look for 10 or 100.
It will be cast onto rings, hooks & connecting links.
It will be embossed or stamped onto chain links.
Typically blue in color.
NOTICE: You may find grade 80 / 100 components together on a chain sling.
Make sure that the assembly is rated @ grade 80 NOT grade 100 capacity
Components
Please do not reference part numbers when requesting replacement hooks or components.
We will need to know who the manufacturer of the specific hook is.
Different manufacturers have different bearing point measures.
Mis-matched hooks create excessive stress on 1 leg of the sling.
This may lead to a sling failure resulting in property damage, equipment damage, personal injury, a fatality or a combination of all.
Types of Chain Slings
Attachments | ||
Type | End One | End Two |
Single Chain Sling | ||
SOS | Oblong Link | Sling Hook |
SOG | Oblong Link | Grab Hook |
SGS | Grab Hook | Sling Hook |
SGG | Grab Hook | Grab Hook |
SSS | Sling Hook | Sling Hook |
SOF | Oblong Link | Foundry Hook |
SOO | Oblong Link | Oblong Link |
SOSL | Oblong Link | Self-Locking Hook |
Double Chain Slings | ||
DOS | Oblong Link | Sling Hooks |
DOG | Oblong Link | Grab Hooks |
DOF | Oblong Link | Foundry Hooks |
DOSL | Oblong Link | Self-Locking Hooks |
Triple Chain Slings | ||
TOS | Oblong Link | Sling Hooks |
TOG | Oblong Link | Grab Hooks |
TOF | Oblong Link | Foundry Hooks |
TOSL | Oblong Link | Self-Locking Hooks |
Quadruple Chain Slings | ||
QOS | Oblong Link | Sling Hooks |
QOG | Oblong Link | Grab Hooks |
QOF | Oblong Link | Foundry Hooks |
QOSL | Oblong Link | Self-Locking Hooks |
How to Order
- SIZE: This is specified by the size of the material from which the chain is made, determined by working load limit required.
- REACH: This is the length, including attachments, measured from bearing point to bearing point.
- TYPE: Select and specify proper type of sling from list shown. Example S = single; O = oblong; S = sling hook
- ADJUSTERS: Adjusters / shorteners are available on all chain slings. Use an "A" prefix at the front of the above type as required.
- ATTACHMENTS: Unless otherwise specified standard master links will be used. When other than standard master links or hooks are required we should be given a completed description or a drawing of the requested substitute.