User Information / Instructions for Chain Sling Assembly

1. Selection / Application of Chain Slings

1.1 Prior to Commissioning Sling chains of quality class 8 should be properly mounted and identified. Only mount suitable components into the chain. Prior to use, inspect the sling chain for visual faults and proper function. Never use a sling chain which is composed of damaged component parts. Any chain sling to be used must be provided, pursuant to the provisions of EC Machinery Directive 2006/42/EG, Annex II A, with an identification tag containing the following minimum details:

1.     Chain dimensions and number of chain strands;
2.     Max. load capacity/safe working load of the sling chain considering the potential inclination angle;
3.     Identification of Manufacturer;
4.     CE symbol and year of production;
5.     Test certificates must be available (Declaration of Conformity, Acceptance Protocol EN 10204 3.1 etc.)

1.2 Principles of Application
Do not stand or walk under suspended loads. Never load the sling chain beyond the permitted load capacity limits. Adhere to admissible angles of inclination, or use chains of a higher load capacity. Never load a chain which is twisted, remove the twist before loading. Do not use knotted chains. Protect the chains from sharp-edged loads using appropriate means; do not subject chains to a bending stress. Chain shortening is only allowed when using the component parts (such as shortening claws, shortening hooks) specifically provided to this purpose. During empty transport, hang the chain sling load hook into the suspension ring and lock safety hook.

The suspension chain link of a sling chain must be freely moving in the crane hook of the lifting gear. Use a special suspension link, if necessary. Never hang the sling chain suspension link on to the tip of the lifting gear hook.

Load hooks should be loaded in the base part of the hook bottom, never on its side, back or tip. No loading of the hook across sharp edges is allowed. Immediately repair or replace damaged hooks and safety catches.

1.3 Type of Sling
Sling loads so as to prevent the load or chain sling from damage. Chain slings can be slung on the load in a number of ways:

1.3.1 Direct slinging with slinging points
Hook and slinging points must match. The load must sit on the base of the hook. You are not allowed to load the hook tip. If you use multi-strand chainslings, make sure that the hooks face outwards.

1.3.2 Slinging with tie straps (tying passage) In this case, pass one strand of the sling through or underneath a load and suspend the sling element into the chain. If you use the tying passage, only80% of the declared load capacity may be used. If you use two or more chain strands for tying, make sure that the tying procedure generates no momentof momentum to the load, and that the maximum angle of inclination does not exceed 60° (parallel tying passage).

1.3.3 Slinging by slinging around (suspension passage)
In this case, pass one strand of the sling chain through or underneath a load and suspend it directly in the burden hook. This type of slinging is generallyused in pairs with two sling chains.

1.4 Centre of GravityTo lift a load without the load being twisted or tilting, observe the criteria below:

1.4.1 with single-strand chain slings and ring chains, the slinging point should be located vertically above the centre of gravity of the load;

1.4.2 with double-strand chain slings, the slinging points should be located vertically above and to both sides of the centre of gravity of the load;

1.4.3 with triple- and quadruple-strand chain slings, the slinging points should be evenly spaced in one plane around the centre of gravity of the load.Such spacing should be uniform, and the slinging points should preferably be located above the centre of gravity of the load.

The centre of gravity of the load must always be located in the precise centre of the load. If you use multi-strand sling chains, make sure that you select the slinging points and chain types so that inclination angles are located within the areas specified. Preferably, all angles of inclination should be identical. Angles above 15° are safer because the load is suspended in a more stable way. The burden hook in which you hang the sling, should be located directly above the centre of gravity of the load.

1.5 Symmetry of Load
When using triple or quadruple strand sling chains, no more than three strands can be regarded as being load–bearing. You have to meet the require-ments below, in addition to those above:

    The centre of gravity of the load must be located in the precise centre of the load.
    All chain strands of the sling chain must be inclined by the same angle.
    When using three chain strands, each individual chain strand must be arranged in an angle of 120° to each other.

Load distributed must be expected to be asymmetric if there are different angles of inclination or if you do not know the centre of gravity of the load. Reduce the load-bearing capacity of the sling chain to that of a double-strand sling chain of the same diameter with application of the maximum admissible inclination angle.

If you use multi-strand sling chains, and the individual strands are not inclined by identical angles, the highest stress will be generated in the single strand inclined by the smallest angle. In extreme cases, the entire load will be carried by one single vertically suspended strand.

1.6 Usage Under Environmental Influences

1.6.1 Influences of TemperatureTemperatures will have the following influence on quality class 8 sling chains:


1.6.2 Chemical Influences
Quality class 8 sling chains must not be exposed to chemical influences (especially acids etc.). This can lead to embrittlement and crack formation. No sling chains may be galvanized or subjected to any other electro-plating process without the manufacturer's consent. Quality class 8 sling chains must not be used in coating shops.

1.6.3 Other Influences
Consult the manufacturer on any other application, especially if high temperatures might affect the sling chains, in addition to chemical influences. Never use welding processes for quality class 8 sling chains.

1.7 High dynamic stress
High dynamic stress is possible in special cases, e.g., automated production equipment with high cycle frequencies and frequent recurrence of the same movements and transport processes. The components are designed for up to 20,000 load cycles. So please note that one lifting procedure can involve several load cycles. The products can be damaged due to high dynamic stress and high numbers of load cycles. In such cases, the carrying stress should be reduced, e.g., according to power unit 1Bm (M3 acc. to DIN EN 818-7) by using a larger nominal thickness or nominal size.

2. Servicing and Repair

2.1 Routine And Exceptional Inspection
Sling chains in operation are to be inspected and tested regularly once a year as a minimum by a responsible expert pursuant to the Accident Prevention Regulations UVV BGR 500 (anciently VBG 9a). Prior to inspection, thoroughly clean the sling chain until it is free from oil, dirt and corrosion. You may use any cleaning method which does not affect the base metal. Avoid processes causing hydrogen embrittlement, overheating, material abrasion or deformation which could conceal cracks or surface damage

After three years at the latest, you have to subject sling chains to a trial stress test or crack detection procedure with subsequent inspection. Stress trial tests are run with the double rated load.

2.2 Inspection / Replacement State of Wear
The sling chain should be put out of service for inspection immediately if the following faults are present:

a) Tag identification of the sling chain is illegible or missing, i.e. no indication of identity and/or rated load (WLL) available; b) Deformation of suspension, intermediate, transition, end links and other links. Plastic deformation of the chain is present if the outside length of a chainlink exceeds 3% of the outside nominal dimension (corresponding to an increase of the chain pitch value by more than 5%).c) Indication of "expansion" on the hooks or other shapes of deformation in the sling element. (The increase of hook aperture must not exceed 10% ofthe rated value, or must be sufficient to prevent the safety catch from released). Check the base of the hook especially for the presence of notches. Withself-locking hooks, make sure that the locking mechanism is fully operational.d) Wear and tear, decrease of link thickness by more than 10% at any point or by more than 15% on suspension, intermediate, transition and end links; e) Cuts, notches, grooves, incipient cracks, excess corrosion, discolouring from heat, chemical influences, bent or twisted links or any other defects; f) For self-locking hooks according to DIN EN 1677-3, check the gap at the hook Tipp according to the table below.