When it comes to moving heavy, irregular, or abrasive loads on a work site, synthetic web slings or wire ropes aren’t always the right fit. For the most demanding environments, such as moving concrete slabs, heavy pipe networks, prefabricated steel structures, or mining skip bins, chain slings are the undisputed industry standard.
Engineered for extreme durability, temperature resistance, and rugged environments, a high-quality chain sling is a staple for site supervisors across Zimbabwe. However, because they handle some of the heaviest and most dangerous lifts, understanding how to select, configuration, and maintain them is critical to preventing catastrophic failure.
Here is what you need to know to ensure your material handling remains efficient, productive, and fully compliant.
1. Understanding the Grade: Why “Any Chain” Won’t Do
The most critical rule of overhead lifting is that you must never use standard transport or hardware chain. Overhead lifting requires high-tensile, alloy steel specifically rated for the dynamic forces of hoisting.
At Partrid Investments, our chain slings are manufactured using Grade 80 (Max Alloy) steel.
- What is Grade 80? It is a high-strength, heat-treated alloy chain that offers an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio.
- Why it matters: Grade 80 chain is specifically designed to stretch predictably if overloaded before breaking, giving operators a visual warning signal, whereas lower-grade chains can snap suddenly under shock loads.
2. Choosing the Right Leg Configuration
Not every load can be balanced from a single point. Depending on the shape, center of gravity, and weight distribution of your material, you need to deploy the correct configuration:
- 2-Legged Chain Slings: Perfect for balanced, linear loads like steel beams or long pipes.
- 3-Legged and 4-Legged Chain Slings: Essential for rigid, large-surface structures (like skip bins or square concrete slabs) to distribute weight evenly and prevent the load from tilting or spinning dangerously.
3. The Angle Factoring Hazard
One of the most common oversights on construction and mining sites is failing to account for the sling angle.
As the angle between the legs of a multi-leg sling increases, the actual tension on each individual leg increases dramatically, even if the weight of the load stays exactly the same. For instance, lifting a 5-tonne load with a sling at a 60-degree angle puts significantly more stress on the chains than lifting the same load at a 30-degree angle. Always refer to the manufacturer’s Working Load Limit (WLL) tag, which details exactly how much weight the sling can support at specific angles.
Keep Your Site Moving with Confidence: The Partrid Way
At Partrid Investments, our goal is simple: to supply top-tier rigging solutions that optimize your productivity while mitigating risk on your worksite. We don’t cut corners on quality because we know exactly what is on the line with every lift.
We supply a comprehensive range of Grade 80 alloy chain slings, customized exactly to your required length specifications and outfitted with premium heavy-duty hooks, master links, and shortening clutches.
Our Material Handling Inventory Includes:
- 2-Legged, 3-Legged, and 4-Legged Chain Slings (Grade 80 Max Alloy)
- Dersk Lever Hoists & Electric Chain Hoists (Available in 1.5-tonne to 5-tonne capacities)
- Heavy-Duty Shackles, Wire Ropes, and Eye Bolts
Need a custom chain sling built to your exact site requirements?
Reach out to our sales and technical teams today for expert recommendations and fast quotes. Connect with us online at partrid.co.zw, email your requirements to info@partrid.co.zw, or visit our local teams directly:
- Branches: 12 Dumfries Road, Workington or 78 Glenconner Road, Mandara Shops.