Coordinated Wire Rope Introduces Maximizer Braided Chain Sling

Coordinated Wire Rope & Rigging, Wilmington, Calif., introduces the Maximizer braided chain sling. Proof-tested and certified to 50 long tons in a vertical basket, the sling is constructed with special T-1 custom paddles, 3/8”, seven-part grade 100 alloy chain and connecting links. It is available in custom lengths. Lifting loads of 100 long tons is not an everyday occurrence in the port, but when the need arises, there must be lifting slings to meet the demand. The Maximizer was developed to meet the 100-long-ton capacity of the container crane, according to the company.

Coordinated Wire Rope supplies other type slings that can meet this requirement, but the longshoremen community has confidence in the braided chain sling and does not wish to pursue other options like High Performance fiber lifting slings. The “Maximizer” is constructed of 7 parts of Grade 100 chain & connecting links with specially designed T-1 paddles to reach a capacity of 50 long tons per sling (100 long tons a pair) in a vertical basket.

“The typical braided chain sling has been a staple lifting device in ports from coast to coast for many years,” explained Bo Kentner, Coordinated’s operations manager. “It was originally created due to a need to have a flexible, strong, but durable sling that could make many lifts removing heavy products from the holds of ships. Up to that time, braided wire rope slings were used but had several drawbacks.” Although as strong as the braided chain sling, pound for pound wire rope slings were easily kinked when basketing or choking a heavy load, said Kentner, and the wires were also very susceptible to breaking while going around corners, creating dangerous working conditions.

“Chain was usually not the lifting device of choice because the sling could easily slide from under the load, causing the center of gravity to change and the load to fall. To solve this problem, the idea to use more than one chain gave rise to the thought of using multiple chains connected to end hardware called "paddles" and then interlacing the chain with wire rope to make it one complete very strong durable sling but maintaining excellent flexibility,” said Kentner. The most common braided chain sling today is the six-part sling made from Grade 80 alloy lifting chain attached to alloy paddles with Grade 80 connecting links, according to Kentner. “

This sling has a capacity of 34 tons in a vertical basket lifting configuration,” he explained. “Since two slings are used in lifting a single load, this is sufficient to safely lift most loads seen on the docks by today’s longshoremen. However, the container cranes throughout the world are reaching ever greater capacities with the newer cranes being rated at 100 long tons or greater. The increase in capacity of the crane is leading to lifting heavier and heavier loads.”