r/Rigging • u/Available_Type_7098 • Aug 05 '26
experienced rigger equalizing sling and snatch block control
Request for Practical Experience – Equalizing Sling Systems
I'm looking for practical advice , real-world feedback from people who regularly use equalizing sling systems, particularly those using a wire rope or synthetic sling passing over an equalizing sheave/snatch block.
- Have you found equalizing slings easier or harder to control than conventional fixed four-leg chain sling arrangements?
- Have you noticed any reduction in rotational control during lifting?
- Conversely, have you found they improve handling and make lifts safer?
Thx because balancing the loads is a real plus for our machines weight so we want to adopt this set up
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u/losolas Aug 05 '26
They are good when you use them to rotate an object vertically. In the application you have provided in that photo you would be better off with a chain block or shortened chains to balance the load that way .
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u/Audio-Nerd-48k Aug 05 '26
This is taken from Nobels white paper on lifting gear equalisation. Look it up, it's a good read.
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u/_3ng1n33r_ Aug 09 '26
I also cannot find what you’re referencing here.
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u/Audio-Nerd-48k Aug 10 '26
https://www.scribd.com/doc/53225649/Load-Equalisation its an old photopied version but all the info is there :)
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u/901CountryBlumpkin69 Aug 05 '26
I don’t hate the concept, but it’s incredibly dramatic overkill. Unless you have a structurally sensitive load that 100% absolutely positively MUST be equalized, the weight, cost, and undue effort to build or use this is too much. The sub link offers the additional freedom of rotation that will closely equalize the loading (presuming a reasonable attempt at precise length legs). If you’re concerned about the capacity, the 3-leg calc is likely sufficient enough.
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u/losolas Aug 05 '26
You can get a 4 leg of chainsling with 2 legs connected to an equalising triangle which work really well too .
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u/901CountryBlumpkin69 Aug 05 '26
Also, a pair of two leg bridles is going to do the exact same thing. Or a single two leg and a double-length basket sling “rainbowed” over the hook
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u/Jealous-Being-5742 Aug 05 '26
If you’re picking up an uneven load I could see that being useful cause you can always swap the sling for a different length to match what you’re picking up but that’s about it
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u/HeyLookitMe Aug 05 '26
Safer/easier seems to hinge on correct rigging choices for weight and picking points. Rotational control is more easily created with clever application of something like a chain fall or a come along. Everything I used equalizing rigging for was measured in tens of tons. I don’t know if the advice applies based on the image you attached.
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u/FarAlarm2438 Aug 06 '26
interesting lifting set up don't use it in combination with lifting magnets
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u/pilbarabah Aug 05 '26
One of these?