Slings
Polyester web slings, round slings and wire rope slings for lifting and industrial rigging applications.
Product Catalog
View sling types, product codes, working load limits and specifications.
Open Slings Catalog
Sling selection depends on more than capacity. Hitch type, sling angle, load surface and working environment all matter.
VGD Lifting Solutions
Find the Right Sling
Start with the sling style that best matches the lift. Once you know the sling family, use the selector below to identify the size, working load limit and Vanguard product reference.
Polyester Web Sling
Type 3 Flat Eye
Double-ply polyester web sling with flat eyes on both ends. A versatile choice for general lifting applications.
Good for vertical, choker and basket hitches.
Polyester Web Sling
Type 4 Twisted Eye
Double-ply polyester web sling with twisted eyes designed to sit naturally in hooks and lifting hardware.
Good where eye orientation and hook fit matter.
Polyester Round Sling
Endless Round Sling
Flexible polyester load-bearing fibres inside a protective tubular cover. Lightweight and easy to position around the load.
Good for delicate loads and high flexibility.
Steel Wire Rope Sling
Wire Rope Sling
Steel wire rope sling assemblies for demanding lifting applications where abrasion resistance and durability matter.
Good for rugged industrial and heavy lifting environments.
VGD Sling Selection Tools
Choose Your Sling
Select the sling family, size and length to identify the Vanguard product code and working load information.
Type 3 & Type 4
Polyester Web Sling Selector
Select the sling type, width and finished length to generate the Vanguard product code, EE2 reference and vertical working load limit.
Colour Coded Polyester
Polyester Round Sling Selector
Select the required vertical capacity and length to generate the corresponding Vanguard round sling product code.
VGD Golden Eye
Wire Rope Sling Selector
Select the wire rope diameter and stock length to generate the Vanguard product code and working load limits.
Understand the Options
Sling Systems at a Glance
Each sling style handles the load differently. The right choice depends on the load, hitch configuration, surface condition and working environment.
01 / Polyester Web Sling
Type 3 Flat Eye
Flat eyes remain in the same plane as the sling body, providing a simple and versatile configuration for many general lifting applications.
- Flat eye on both ends
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Conforms well to the load
- Suitable for vertical, choker and basket hitches
- Helps protect finished or sensitive surfaces
02 / Polyester Web Sling
Type 4 Twisted Eye
Twisted eyes rotate the eye approximately 90 degrees to the sling body, allowing the eye to sit naturally in many hooks and lifting connections.
- Twisted eye on both ends
- Eye orientation suits many lifting hooks
- Lightweight polyester construction
- Flexible around loads and lifting points
- Same double-ply WLL range as Type 3
03 / Polyester Round Sling
Endless Round Sling
High-strength polyester load-bearing fibres are enclosed inside a flexible protective cover, creating a soft, continuous lifting loop.
- Continuous endless design
- Very flexible around irregular loads
- Colour coded by working load limit
- Lightweight relative to capacity
- Useful where load surface protection matters
04 / Steel Wire Rope Sling
Wire Rope Sling
Steel wire rope provides a durable sling system for demanding industrial environments where abrasion resistance and rugged service are important.
- 6x26 IWRC EIPS wire rope construction
- Strong resistance to abrasion and rough service
- Available for vertical, choker and basket lifts
- Safety tagged for working load identification
- Suitable for heavy industrial lifting environments
Technical Data
Working Load Limits
Compare rated capacities by sling type and hitch configuration. All capacities shown below are in pounds.
Type 3 & Type 4
Double Ply Polyester Web Slings
Type 3 flat eye and Type 4 twisted eye use the same rated capacities for equivalent sling widths.
| Web Width | Vertical | Choker | Basket |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1" | 3,100 | 2,480 | 6,200 |
| 1 1/2" | 4,700 | 3,760 | 9,400 |
| 1 3/4" | 5,400 | 4,320 | 10,800 |
| 2" | 6,200 | 4,960 | 12,400 |
| 3" | 8,800 | 7,040 | 17,600 |
| 4" | 11,000 | 8,800 | 22,000 |
| 5" | 13,700 | 10,960 | 27,400 |
| 6" | 16,500 | 13,200 | 33,000 |
| 8" | 22,750 | 18,200 | 42,350 |
| 10" | 28,400 | 22,720 | 52,900 |
| 12" | 34,100 | 27,280 | 63,500 |
Endless Polyester
Polyester Round Slings
Round slings are colour coded by rated capacity. Always confirm the identification tag before use.
| Round Sling | Vertical | Choker | Basket |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENRS 1 Purple | 2,600 | 2,080 | 5,200 |
| ENRS 2 Green | 5,300 | 4,200 | 10,600 |
| ENRS 3 Yellow | 8,400 | 6,700 | 16,800 |
| ENRS 4 Tan | 10,600 | 8,480 | 21,200 |
| ENRS 5 Red | 13,200 | 10,560 | 26,400 |
| ENRS 6 White | 17,000 | 13,400 | 33,600 |
| ENRS 7 Blue | 21,200 | 17,000 | 42,400 |
| ENRS 8 Orange | 25,000 | 20,000 | 50,000 |
| ENRS 9 Gray | 31,000 | 24,800 | 62,000 |
| ENRS 10 Orange | 40,000 | 32,000 | 80,000 |
| ENRS 11 Brown | 53,000 | 42,400 | 106,000 |
| ENRS 12 Olive | 66,000 | 52,800 | 132,000 |
| ENRS 13 Black | 90,000 | 72,000 | 180,000 |
VGD Golden Eye
Wire Rope Slings
Premade 6x26 IWRC EIPS wire rope slings with safety tag and certificate.
| Rope Diameter | Vertical | Choker | Basket |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4" | 1,300 | 960 | 2,600 |
| 3/8" | 2,800 | 2,200 | 5,800 |
| 1/2" | 5,000 | 3,800 | 10,200 |
| 5/8" | 7,800 | 5,800 | 15,600 |
| 3/4" | 11,200 | 8,200 | 22,000 |
| 1" | 19,600 | 14,400 | 40,000 |
Never exceed the rated working load shown on the sling identification tag.
Ratings apply to slings in suitable service condition. Inspect the sling before each use and remove damaged equipment from service.
Understanding Sling Angles
Angle Changes Capacity
Working load limits are affected by the angle of the sling. As the sling angle decreases, tension increases and the available lifting capacity is reduced.
90°
Vertical Legs
Angle Factor 1.000
Full basket hitch rating when the sling legs are vertical.
60°
Sling Angle
Angle Factor 0.866
Capacity is reduced as the sling legs move away from vertical.
45°
Sling Angle
Angle Factor 0.707
Sling tension increases significantly as the angle becomes flatter.
30°
Sling Angle
Angle Factor 0.500
Only half of the 90° basket capacity remains at a 30° sling angle.
Quick Example
12,400 lb Basket WLL
A 2 inch double-ply polyester web sling has a 12,400 lb basket working load limit at 90°. Apply the sling angle factor when the sling operates at a reduced angle.
Sling Inspection
Inspect Before You Lift
Sling condition matters just as much as sling capacity. Inspect the sling and its fittings before use and remove damaged equipment from service.
01 / Identification
Check the Tag
Confirm the sling identification is present and readable. Verify the sling type and rated capacity before use.
02 / Web & Cover
Cuts, Tears & Abrasion
Look for cuts, tears, punctures, snags and excessive abrasive wear in polyester webbing or round sling covers.
03 / Temperature
Heat Damage
Melting, charring, hard or brittle areas and other signs of heat exposure can compromise synthetic sling strength.
04 / Environment
Chemical Damage
Check for acid or caustic burns, discoloration and other evidence that the sling may have been affected by chemicals.
05 / Construction
Stitching & Fittings
Inspect load bearing stitching and hardware for broken, worn, bent, cracked, distorted or damaged components.
06 / Wire Rope
Rope Structure
Inspect wire rope slings for broken wires, severe abrasion, kinking, crushing, birdcaging, corrosion and damaged end fittings.
Remove From Service When Damage Is Found
Protect Your Equipment
Environment & Sling Life
Sling life depends on more than the number of lifts. Exposure to sunlight, heat, chemicals, sharp edges and abrasive surfaces can all affect the condition and service life of lifting equipment.
01 / Sunlight
UV Exposure
Prolonged exposure to sunlight can degrade synthetic fibres over time and may reduce the useful service life of polyester slings.
- Store synthetic slings away from direct sunlight when possible
- Watch for fading, stiffness and fibre deterioration
- Inspect slings that have experienced extended outdoor exposure
02 / Temperature
Heat & Hot Surfaces
Excessive heat can damage synthetic fibres and can also affect wire rope, lubricants and sling fittings.
- Keep synthetic slings away from hot material and open flame
- Look for melting, glazing, charring or hardened areas
- Confirm suitability before lifting material at elevated temperature
03 / Chemicals
Know the Environment
Acids, alkalis, solvents and other chemicals can affect sling materials differently. Confirm polyester compatibility before using a sling in a chemical environment.
- Identify chemical exposure before selecting the sling
- Consider concentration, temperature and exposure time
- Use the compatibility guide below as a general reference
04 / Load Contact
Sharp Edges & Abrasion
Sling capacity does not protect the sling from cutting or abrasion. Contact with an unprotected edge can damage lifting equipment quickly.
- Use appropriate edge protection where required
- Avoid dragging slings across rough surfaces
- Inspect areas that contact load corners and lifting points
View Polyester Chemical Compatibility
General Reference
Polyester Chemical Compatibility
Use this guide as a starting point when polyester slings may be exposed to chemicals. Specific concentration, temperature and exposure conditions can change material compatibility.
| Chemical Environment | Polyester |
|---|---|
| Acids | Generally Suitable* |
| Alcohols | Suitable |
| Aldehydes | Not Recommended |
| Strong Alkalis | Caution** |
| Bleaching Agents | Generally Suitable |
| Dry Cleaning Solvents | Generally Suitable |
| Ethers | Not Recommended |
| Halogenated Hydrocarbons | Generally Suitable |
| Hydrocarbons | Generally Suitable |
| Ketones | Generally Suitable |
| Crude Oils | Generally Suitable |
| Lubricating Oils | Generally Suitable |
| Soap & Detergents | Generally Suitable |
| Water & Seawater | Generally Suitable |
| Weak Alkalis | Generally Suitable |
* Acids: Polyester can be damaged or destroyed by certain concentrated acids, including concentrated sulfuric acid.
** Strong alkalis: Polyester may degrade when exposed to strong alkaline concentrations, particularly at elevated temperatures.
Important: This table is general guidance only. Confirm the specific chemical, concentration, temperature and exposure conditions before placing a synthetic sling into service.
Important Distinction
Capacity Is Not Durability
Two sling types can have similar working load limits and still behave very differently in the same environment.
A polyester sling may offer excellent flexibility and load protection, while a wire rope sling may be better suited to abrasive or rugged industrial service.
Select the sling for both the required capacity and the conditions of the lift.
Product Identification
Proof Testing, Identification & Documentation
Selecting the right sling is only part of the process. Clear identification, working load information and appropriate documentation help make sure the sling can be correctly used and inspected throughout its service life.
01 / Select
Match the Sling to the Lift
Determine the sling type, capacity, length, hitch configuration and working conditions before selecting the product.
02 / Identify
Confirm the Sling Tag
Sling identification should clearly show the information needed to confirm the product and its working load rating.
03 / Verify
Testing Where Required
Proof testing and verification requirements depend on the sling type, assembly and application. Confirm requirements before use.
04 / Document
Keep the Record
Certificates, inspection records and sling identification provide important traceability throughout the life of the equipment.
Sling Identification
Know What You Are Lifting With
Before use, the sling identification should be readable and consistent with the sling being placed into service.
- Sling type or product identification
- Working load limit
- Material or construction
- Manufacturer identification
- Other required product information
Documentation
Testing & Traceability
Depending on the sling and application, documentation may include proof test information, certificates, inspection records or other supporting product information.
- Proof test documentation where applicable
- Working load identification
- Safety tagging
- Inspection records
- Product and assembly traceability
