Not Sure Which Chain Sling to Use? Here’s How to Pick the Right One

Ever stood in front of a rack of chains, scratching your head, thinking,
“Do I need a single-leg? A four-leg? Grade 80? Grade 100? What’s the difference?!”

Yeah, we get it. Choosing the right chain sling isn’t as simple as grabbing the biggest, toughest-looking one and hoping for the best. Pick the wrong setup, and you’re looking at overloaded chains, equipment damage, or worse—a failed lift.

That’s why we’re breaking it down fast and simple.

Step 1: Choose the Right Chain Grade

Grade 80 vs. Grade 100—What’s the Difference?

✅ Grade 80 – Strong, durable, and commonly used for lifting.
✅ Grade 100 – 25% stronger than Grade 80, allowing you to lift more with the same chain size.

👉 If you need extra capacity without jumping to a larger chain size, go for Grade 100.

Step 2: Pick the Right Sling Configuration

Your load capacity depends on how many legs your sling has:

🔹 Single-Leg Sling – Best for straight vertical lifts. Simple, but lower capacity.
🔹 Two-Leg Sling – More balance, better weight distribution.
🔹 Three & Four-Leg Slings – Ideal for lifting irregular loads and heavier weights.

More legs = more stability, but angles matter. Which brings us to…

Step 3: Understand How Angles Affect Lifting Capacity

Here’s a quick rule of thumb:

The steeper the lift angle, the stronger your chain sling.

🔸 90° (straight up) – Full load capacity.
🔸 60° angle – About 86% of full capacity.
🔸 45° angle – Only 70% of full capacity.
🔸 30° angle – Drops to just 50% capacity!

Moral of the story?

Keep those angles as steep as possible.

Need a load chart? Check out our Grade 80 & Grade 100 charts for quick reference!

Step 4: Use a Chain Sling Load Chart

Don’t guess. Ever.

A chain sling load chart tells you the exact WLL based on your chain grade, leg configuration, and lift angle. We’ve got Grade 80 and Grade 100 load charts ready for reference—so use them!

Step 5: Inspect & Maintain Your Chains

Before every lift:
✔ Inspect for wear, cracks, and bent links.
✔ Make sure hooks and shackles are rated for the load.
✔ Check your load chart to confirm WLL.

Lifting isn’t the place for shortcuts. The right chain sling setup keeps your equipment safe, your load secure, and your team out of danger.

Get the Right Chains for the Job

At Hoistech, we provide certified, high-quality chain slings designed for tough jobs. Not sure what you need? Contact us today—we’ll help you choose the perfect sling for your lift.

Stay safe. Lift smart. Trust your chains.