Choosing the right web sling starts with understanding how the load will be lifted, supported, and secured. While web slings for lifting may look similar at first glance, differences in eye configuration, hardware, construction, and hitch compatibility can make one style better suited to an application than another.
From hardware and eye slings to endless and reverse-eye designs, each type offers distinct advantages. Some lifting slings are designed for maximum versatility, while others are built specifically for basket hitches, vertical hitches, or choker hitches.
In this guide, we’ll review the most common types of web lift slings and explain how their designs can help you select the right rigging slings for your next project.
Unlink and Web Trap: Hardware can help to extend sling life by protecting the webbing from abrasion on rough crane hooks. Hardware can often be reused, lowering sling replacement costs.
Type U (UU): This type of web sling has the preferred and economical Unilink fitting on each end for use in a vertical, choker, or basket hitch. Unilinks allow choking from either end to save time and vary wear points.
Type U (UU) web sling.
Type 1 (TC): This type of web sling has a Web-Trap triangle and a choker fitting on either end. It is typically used in a choker hitch. It can also be used in vertical or basket hitches.
Type 1 (TC) web sling.
Type 2 (TT): This web sling has a Web-Trap triangle on each end. Normally used in a basket hitch, this type can also be used in a vertical hitch. They cannot be used as a choker.
Type 2 (TT) web sling.
Type 3 (EE): Flat eye slings are very popular and can be used in all three types of hitches (vertical, choker, or basket). They are easier to remove from beneath the load than sling types 1, 2, and 4. Unless type 4 is requested, type 3 will be supplied as the standard EE sling.
Type 3 (EE) flat eye web sling.
Type 4 (EE): Twisted Eye slings are similar to Type 3, except that the eyes are turned 90 degrees to form a better choker hitch. The eyes on a Type 4 web sling nest better on the crane hook.
Type 4 (EE) twisted eye web sling.
Type 5 (EN): Endless web slings are versatile and the most economically priced. They can be used in all three types of hitches. The sling can be rotated to minimize wear. The sling legs can be spread for improved load balance.
Type 5 (EN) endless web sling.
Type 6 (RE): A reverse eye web sling is an endless sling with butted edges sewn together to double the sling width. They have reinforced eyes and wear pads on both sides of the body and the eyes. The result is an extremely strong and durable web sling.
Type 6 (RE) reverse eye web sling.
LGH offers a massive variety, including polyester round slings, wire rope slings, web slings, and more. (However, our web slings are only available for purchase). Check out our YouTube video below to learn a little bit more about each sling type!
Selecting the right web sling requires more than simply matching its rated capacity to the weight of the load. The sling’s construction, eye configuration, hitch type, load shape, attachment points, and working environment should all be considered before the lift begins.
Hardware slings can help protect webbing from wear around hooks, while flat-eye and twisted-eye lifting slings offer versatile options for several hitch configurations. Endless lift slings can be rotated to distribute wear, and reverse-eye slings provide added strength and durability for more demanding applications. Understanding these differences can help you choose web slings for lifting that provide the control, load support, and compatibility your application requires.
Before using any rigging slings, always inspect the sling, verify its working load limit, and confirm that it is suitable for the intended hitch and lifting conditions. LGH offers a wide range of polyester round slings, wire rope slings, and other lifting and rigging equipment, with web slings available for purchase. Contact an LGH lifting expert or call 800-878-7305 for help finding the right sling for your next project.
LGH is North America’s largest single organization devoted exclusively to the provision of lifting and moving equipment for rent. LGH holds the most comprehensive inventory for hoisting, rigging, jacking, pulling, material handling, and safety equipment. With over 90,000 pieces, discover your next project solution at RentLGH.com.
