Blog

Custom Lifting Slings are an opportunity that any progressive rigging products manufacturer should welcome. Unfortunately, some manufacturers take the perspective, “if it’s not in our catalog, then we can’t help you”. Aside being unimaginative this attitude does not help responsible sling users develop products or methods to handle and manipulate loads.
Lift-it Manufacturing welcomes any opportunity to provide our customers with satisfaction and solutions for unique applications. In developing custom lifting slings and custom lifting assemblies we work with the client in a partnership like arrangement. Based upon the customer’s application and valued input, our job is to fabricate a product that will meet the requirements of the application.
The customer must test and evaluate the special design sling in a set of non-consequence circumstances. One of many important goals will be to design and eliminate all known hazards and attempt to consider and mitigate unknown dangers. Ultimately it is the responsibility of the user to determine that the application of the product will not result in injury, death or property damage.
Some things you need to know when you embark upon a developmental process would be to consider the load and its characteristics, such as, but not limited to: weight, stability, dimensions, location of the center of gravity, attachment points, the need for sling protection, etc.
Other frequently asked questions that must be dealt with are:
What type of sling should be used?
What type of hitch should be employed?
How is load control going to be achieved?
Are there loose parts or components that could fall or shift?
Are there any limitations in overhead clearance and/or obstructions or hazards such as power lines?
Are there any chemical or environmental factors that need to be considered?
The above mentioned considerations cannot be considered to be a complete list as there are many other variables that need to be taken into account.
An example of the process that took place between the professionals at Lift-It Manufacturing working in conjunction with the safety professionals at Grant County PUD to develop a custom lifting sling to handle street light poles follows for your consideration.
The weight of the pole was one of the easier parts of the process, as was the selection of the specific sling type. A polyester, eye and eye web sling with half twist and tapered eyes was selected. The half twist eye was specifically chosen due to the fact that our customer wanted to handle the pole using a double wrap, choke hitch.

Double wrap, choker hitches provide for a tighter choke hitch, resulting in full 360 degree contact with the load. A full wrap is taken around the load before choking the sling. You need to know that longer sling lengths are required when using double wrap choker hitches.
Once the sling type and sling hitch were determined, it was decided that an additional “friction” pad would be desirable to facilitate additional load control. Different types of rubber and neoprene were evaluated and eventually a “texturized” pad was selected.
In looking at the friction pad material, the experts at Lift-It developed labeling to inform sling users
that they must double wrap the pole and also ensure that the choker action must be between the sling body and sling eye. The friction pad at the point of choke could damage the sling eye and the pad must be against the pole for gripping.
Beyond these considerations it was pointed out to our customer that the initial evaluation process was done on a dry day with a specific type of pole. It was important for them to also evaluate the custom design sling in wet and icy conditions with different types and shapes of poles to ensure safe and efficient handling, irrespective of the handling conditions.
It may seem like a very long and drawn out process and there was a tremendous amount of effort expended by us and our customer. When it comes to safety, we do not take short cuts and neither did the professionals at Grant County PUD.
This is but one of many examples of the custom sling design capabilities at Lift-It Manufacturing. When you require a special application sling contact us and we will match your effort. Custom designed slings are a challenge, but the process should not be challenging or painful for you, our customer or potential client. A job done is worth doing right and we do not operate on the basis of, “It should work” or “it looks good on paper”. An old fashioned concept that still makes sense; we’ll work with you as a partner and invest our time and resources with you as long as you will make the commitment to evaluate and ultimately determine the adequacy of the custom design sling assembly. Sometimes old fashioned is very nice.
View my Google+ Profile Here

There are primarily six basic types of industrial Crane Slings that riggers use to lift and manipulate materials. All six sling types can be found in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Sling Safety Standard, B30.9. They are: chain slings, wire rope slings, metal mesh slings, synthetic rope slings, web slings and roundslings.

There is no single sling that will accomplish every task, even if you are told that by those that market a specific sling type.  All slings have certain unique advantages, as well as limitations. Two formidable limitations for synthetic slings are susceptibility to damage by cutting and abrasion and damage by heat.

All sling users must be trained in the selection and use of industrial crane slings.  They must also know how to inspect the rigging and be aware of hazards, such as chemical and environmental damage, as well as knowing proper storage conditions. 

One of the first considerations for sling users is the selection of the specific sling type.  Consideration must be given to the nature of the load, how it will be rigged, contact and ambient temperatures, etc.  Other important considerations can be found in the Lift-It Rigging Resource Guide or at our web site under the category of Lift Planning and Evaluation.  While this article and the listing of considerations on our web site provides many important points, neither can provide all of the variables that responsible riggers need to consider. Simply stated, the rigger must select the best sling type to successfully handle the load, echoing the old adage, “use the right tool for the right job”.

Metal rigging slings made from chain, wire rope and metal mesh are more robust than synthetic slings and are more durable.  Metal rigging slings can withstand higher temperature exposure than synthetic slings.  Chain slings and wire rope slings with a wire core can be used at temperatures not to exceed 400 degrees (F). Uncoated wire mesh slings can be used at temperatures not to exceed 550 degrees (F). 

Chain slings feature many options that allow sling users to easily adjust the length of the sling. However, durability and adjustability come with some drawbacks.  Metal slings are much heavier than synthetic slings and some will not use chain slings as they feel they are too difficult to inspect.  Sling inspection training will dispel that notion as an upside of the durability for metal slings allows the sling user or inspector to approve or remove metal type slings, based upon specific, quantitative removal from service criteria. Synthetic sling users or inspectors on the other hand must remove slings that exhibit even slight damage as there is zero tolerance for defects.  

 Sling selection must be based upon the type of load, weight and configuration of lift (choker, vertical or basket). It is important to realize that the same sling has different capacities for each specific hitch.

Other important considerations must be taken into account to successfully lift and control the load.  Does the sling length result in a large or small angle of lift?  The sling angle is the angle that is formed between the top of the load and leg of the sling. Sling angles affect all rigging and as the angle “flattens out” or becomes smaller the tension on the sling increases dramatically.  Slings with adequate capacity to lift a given amount of weight have been broken because of a lack of understanding of sling angles and the resulting tension that develops. Sling users must also adjust the choker capacity for slings when the angle of choke (which is different than the angle for slings used in vertical, basket or bridle configurations as described above) is less than 120 degrees.

Sling users must rig to the center of gravity (COG), which is the “balance” point of the load.  Another way to understand the center of gravity is that is the point where the load weight is concentrated.  
Much like water, the COG will always seek its lowest point and unless restrained will always end up directly under the lifting fixture.

Consideration must also be given to the nature and composition of the load.  
Does the load have enough structural stability to withstand crushing or compression, based upon the sling type and the area(s) where the sling contact occurs? Are the attachment points strong enough to ensure integrity during the lifting or material handling application?

Another important consideration would be to determine if the sling will require protection based upon what could be a damaging edge or surface.  Some think that industrial crane slings made from wire rope, chain or wire mesh do not need to be protected and that is simply not true.  All slings must be protected with materials of sufficient strength, thickness and construction to prevent damage which may result in sling failure. A load edge does not have to be “razor” sharp to result in sling damage.  Sling failure has profound consequences: property damage, serious injury and/or death. Sling protection is available from responsible sling manufacturers who are interested in more than just the sling sale.  Contact the experts at Lift-It Manufacturing for information on sling protection that was designed and tested to withstand the forces of tension and compression and also features tagging information that is important for proper, protection usage.

Even if the best sling protection is used, if the sling is not rigged properly the protection as well as the sling may become damaged.  Rigging at excessive angles or attaching slings to objects that are wet or slippery can result in NON POSITIVE SLING TO LOAD ENGAGEMENT.  Simply stated, the sling skips over the load edge or the load skips through the sling.  This unplanned movement can be deadly. Load control in warm handling conditions may be entirely different than realized when handling the same exact load, in exactly the same fashion in frozen conditions.

 Rigging loads with any type of industrial crane sling in any circumstance requires forethought and planning. We always encourage our sling safety trainees to plan their work and work their plan.
It is too late to come up with a rigging plan when the load is in the air. One must consider, ahead of time, if the load has a clear path and will not become snagged.  Consideration must also be given to an emergency or contingency set down area, before the lift is made.

At the end of the day, sling users must act responsibly to ensure their safety and the safety of others.
Sling users should never be under, on, near or in the “strike” zone.
Sling users must know what the load weighs and select slings with adequate capacity given the hitch and tension that develops in all rigging activities.
Sling users must never use a damaged sling.  Sling protection must be readily available.
Slings must be inspected before each use by competent individuals.
Lastly, sling users must control the load at all times. 

View my Google+ Profile Here

Michael J. Gelskey, Chief Executive Officer, Lift-It Manufacturing Co., Inc. presented two workshops for the EPRI 2013 Generation European Workshop in Rome, Italy. Mr. Gelskey presented an early morning session titled, Rigging for Success and another session in the afternoon that detailed Industry, Association and Regulatory Updates from the American rigging perspective.

Delegates from four continents attended the presentations and were enthused and extremely complimentary in their post conference evaluations.  Mr. Gelskey remarked, “Thankfully, the attendees were far more advanced in their language skills than most of my United States students as the majority of the European attendees are bi-lingual.”

The one resounding comment that was received from the participants of both sessions was the passion Mike Gelskey has in presenting topics that will enable the attendees to make a difference in the lives of those they are tasked with protecting.  Gelskey comments, “Long before it was fashionable or profitable, I would travel anywhere at my own expense to present sling and rigging training for anyone that would have me. Now, training is very much in vogue.  My goal has always been to inspire and help my students leave with a new found perspective on the direct correlation that exists between rigging right and going home at night.”

The first of many international presentations, Mr. Gelskey will follow up the European presentations with on site, sling and rigging training in the Dominican Republic and Australia. Gelskey remarks, “Translation services will be necessary for my students in the Dominican Republic and what would normally be an eight hour presentation will end up being a 20 hour presentation over two days. “

Lift-It Manufacturing Co., Inc. provides quality rigging to discriminating sling and rigging customers throughout the world and now offers on-site, international training.  Monthly events are presented at the Lift-it Learning Center in Pomona, CA.  Contact Michelle Brown, Conference Coordinator at 909.469-2251 or view the details at www.lift-it.com

I recently received a letter from a genteleman regarding nylon web slings and spray painting on the nylon web sling for marking purposes. My answer to the question is posted in my reply letter back to him. You can read my response below:

The issue of spray painting nylon web slings is different than the issue of marking  nylon lifting slings or polyester roundslings with felt marker pens.

We have inspected lifting slings that were used to handle freshly painted, microwave tower sections that were literally stiff as boards after the paint had hardened and dried.  While this is an extreme case, the solution was an easy one.  During my  sling safety presentation to the National Association of Tower Erectors, I suggested the use of fire hose to prevent the absorption of the paint by the nylon lifting slings.

Sling inspection can be easily identified by either a sling inspection tag which is attached directly to the web sling, round sling or tie down assembly. Sling inspection tags contain monthly, quarterly or annual information that the inspector  either marks on the sling tag or punches out to indicate that the sling is in an acceptable condition.

Another solution to visually indicate sling safety inspections is the use of a Lift-It Inspection Loop. A small piece of webbing is folded in half and inserted under the edge of the sling tag as the tag is attached to the lifting sling. The Inspection Loop provides an attachment point for colorized zip ties which indicate the month, quarter or year of the inspection. The above mentioned solutions can be found on our web site or by viewing page 54 of our Rigging Resource Guide and are far superior to painting, stenciling or using electrical tape of different colors.  Electrical tape when removed can damage the outer fibers of polyester lifting slings and nylon web slings.

The use of metal tags on synthetic  rigging slings can be dangerous as the tag could become hung up, resulting in sling damage as the aircraft cable used to attach the metal tag to the lifting sling cuts or abrades the nylon web or polyester sling fibers.  Damage to the synthetic lifting sling can also occur when aircraft cable is attached snuggly to the sling eye or the sling body.

We hope that you find this information useful in protecting the lives of those that use industrial lifting slings for any application.  Please consider attending the sling safety training we offer at the Lift-It Learning Center in Pomona, CA. We present rigger training, sling inspection training and also provide sling classes for NCCCO preparatory training.

All the best, Mike View my Google+ Profile Here

The 2013 EPRI- Hoisting, Rigging & Crane User Group Meeting and Workshop was held in Long Beach, CA and featured a field trip to Lift-It® Manufacturing Company, Inc. Over 65 attendees were part of the plant tour and workshop that featured an educational session, as well as a several fabrication demonstrations.

Michael J. Gelskey, Jr. welcomed the group outside the factory and took one of the two groups on the factory tour.  The tour featured fabrication demonstrations of web, round and Twin-Path® Extra slings. An overview of the Lift-It® ISO: AS9100C quality control system, material traceability and final inspection were also presented. The highlight of the tour was destruction testing of slings which had been produced for the tour attendees.

Simultaneously, Michael J. Gelskey, Sr. was presenting a Rigging Standards and Regulatory Compliance update in the Lift-It® Learning Center.  Attendees were updated on recent developments in the OSHA sling safety standards, ASME sling and hardware consensus standards and the Recommended Standard Specifications of the Web Sling and Tie Down Association.  In addition, a report commissioned by the U.S. Department of Energy on sling accidents resulting from the lack of sling protection or inadequate protection was also provided.

Michael Gelskey, Sr. remarked, “We were extremely pleased to be selected and truly appreciated the many favorable comments received about our operation and our people. “

Dequoy R.M. Weaver also presented an interactive, educational session on Synthetic Sling Inspection during the regular meeting. The attendees were presented with sling inspection system information, removal from service criteria and sling inspection techniques.

Mike Gelskey, Jr. stated, “It was great to see old friends and to welcome new ones into the Lift-It® Family. It was a dream come true to have the backbone of the nuclear power industry visit our home.”

The day concluded with an Appreciation Dinner hosted by Lift-It® for the participants at Parker’s Light House in Long Beach, CA.  The event was held in the Queensview Steakhouse which has breathtaking views of the Queen Mary and the Port of Long Beach.  The night ended at 9:00 PM after the group enjoyed sumptuous cuisine and libations.

Lift-It® Manufacturing Company is a leader in the supply of quality rigging, worldwide for discriminating customers who know there is no substitute for quality.  Lift-It® celebrates 34 years of service to the sling and rigging industry and provides world class education for sling riggers and inspectors at the Lift-It® Learning Center in Pomona, CA or onsite.  For more information on Lift-It® visit www.lift-it.com or contact them at 909.469-2251.

Mike Gelskey, Sr., Past President of the Web Sling and Tie Down Association (WSTDA) presented the details of a fatality resulting from the use of a damaged sling at the Fall 2012 meeting of the WSTDA held in Minneapolis, MN. The presentation explored the circumstances of the unfortunate and premature death of Rodney Armstrong Guy, a 32 year old lineman.  Rodney Guy was killed at 2:15 PM on March 20, 1992 during a clipping operation of a 500kV transmission line in Rio Vista, CA. The sling had been used for 33 months and twice previously the very day Rodney was killed. Several factors lead to his death. The sling was severely overloaded as it was dynamically loaded to 14,000 lbs. as the line was clipped into the insulator.  The sling work load limit was 8860 Lbs.  In addition to the sling overload, there was no advance calculation done to determine the work load requirement. The sling was also severely UV degraded.  A nylon sling continually exposed to sources of ultraviolet light for periods ranging from 12-30 months may lose 40 to 60% of original strength. The sling was severely damaged and either the damage was ignored or the sling was not inspected prior to use. While making presentations in Mandan, North Dakota Mike Gelskey met Mr. Vince Smith, who was working with Rodney the day he was killed.  Mr. Smith provided Gelskey with a picture of Rodney and eerily the sling that snapped can be seen in its extremely distressed state in the background. The sling separated at the exact midpoint , in a straight line propelling the block into Rodney’s chest, killing him instantly as a result of blunt trauma to chest and abdomen. The damaged $40 sling could have been replaced after a 40 mile drive to West Sacramento. 40 miles, 40 dollars and proper training is all it would  have taken for Rodney  to enjoy Grandchildren at this point in his life. The members of the WSTDA expressed their appreciation for Gelskey’s  presentation.

The single, most popular question asked at our training is, “What is the recommended D/d for web slings?”

D/d is a well-known consideration for wire rope slings, where “D” represents the Diameter of the object the sling contacts and “d” represents the diameter of the wire rope sling.  If a 1 Inch diameter wire rope sling is used in a basket hitch around a 25 Inch Diameter object, a 25/1(D/d) results and the wire rope sling has full basket capacity.  Conversely, if the same 1 inch diameter wire rope sling is used on an 8 inch diameter object, resulting in an 8/1 D/d, the wire rope sling loses efficiency and the basket capacity must be reduced by 16%.

The same efficiencies apply to roundslings as there are prescribed usage diameters recommended by the Web Sling and Tie Down Association and many manufacturers, including Lift-It.

The translation of D/d from wire rope slings ends with round slings and does not transfer to web slings. To have a D/d, one would need a “d” and with web slings there is no diameter. If there were a D/d concern with web slings, it would have been realized years ago when some manufacturers were using 3/8” steel plate thicknesses for basket and choker fittings.  Currently we use ½” thickness fittings which enable us to justify rated capacities.  In this application one would not have a D/d application, but rather a T/t scenario whereby “T” would represent the thickness of the fitting and “t” would represent the thickness of the web.

It is important that fittings used in connection points are adequately strong and spatially correct.  Sometimes adequately strong fittings or connection points are not spatially correct and result in far too much sling being crammed into a space that is not correct.  This application may result in bunching which reduces sling efficiency and capacity.  Consideration must be given to hardware and load connection points. In addition, consideration must also be given to the relationship between collection hardware such as masterlinks or shackles and the individual slings placed in them to form bridle hitches.  Again too much “stuff” in an undersized link or shackle can result in loss of assembly strength.

Attached are pictures which illustrate a 75% rule we promote in our Synthetic Rigging Training.

Depicted are 3 shackles with overall widths, 75% of the overall width, which we will refer to as the effective inside width and the corresponding web widths which would be optimal for the three scenarios. If smaller, alloy shackles of adequate strength are used, the webbing edges can become damaged and sling efficiency is lowered due to the bunching and edge loading of the webbing.
Simply stated, webbing edges that ride “high in the saddle” take loading first and disproportionally, while the midsection of the webbing “rides low in the saddle” and is not loaded to the same degree.

Also attached are pictures which depicts a 1-1/2” masterlink which is sufficiently strong for the four legs, but entirely too small.  Also depicted is our replacement bridle which features a 2 inch masterlink.
The 2 inch masterlink has an overall width of 8 inches.  Applying the 75% rule, 6 inches would be the effective inside width and is adequate for the four sling eyes, each measuring 1-1/2 inches in width.

Unfortunately when you deal with others, you may need to educate them on proper spatial relationships.  You will need to do this to ensure the receipt and use of the best possible sling assembly.

You deserve the best!

Michael Gelskey Sr.

Spatial Relationships

Bunching Reduces Sling Efficiency

10 lbs. of stuff in a 7 Lbs. bag?

Fierce!

2” Masterlink

1-1/2” Eye Width
Protection at Bearing

Ugly!

1-1/2” Masterlink

2” Eye Width
No Protection

The 75% Rule

4.75 Ton
2.00” O.A. Width
2.00 x .75 = 1.5 in

8.5 Ton
2.50” O.A. Width
2.50 x .75 = 1.88 in

9.5 Ton
2.75” O.A. Width 2.75 x .75 = 2.06

View my Google+ Profile Here

Lift-It Manufacturing, a worldwide leader in the supply of quality rigging and training, is proud to announce the opening of a new Learning Center at company headquarters in Pomona, CA.  The state of the art facility features the latest in technology to provide for multi-media presentations and webinars.  The 40 seat, 2000 sq. ft., facility has hundreds of samples which were generously donated by the quality leaders in the rigging industry. Mike Gelskey, Sr., Chief Executive Officer, Lift-It Manufacturing comments, “The new facility and particularly the new training center is a dream come true.  Our presenters can’t believe the world class setting they enjoy as instructors and our students, many of whom have been involved in training for decades remark that they have never seen anything that could compare.” Lift-It® is the Western Regional Center for the Rigging Institute with campuses established in all major western cities. Gelskey remarks,” Our association with Rigging Institute is a mutually beneficial one and our training clients benefit with instant access to quality training. We offer a full spectrum of training and will develop custom programs to suit our clients’ needs”. Lift-It Manufacturing celebrates 34 years of service to the rigging industry, this September by providing quality rigging and training.  M.J.Gelskey Sr. remarks, “We provided training long, long before it was fashionable. It is nice to see that training has become in vogue.  Riggers need to go home to their loved ones and effective training is one of the many ingredients which makes it possible.”

For Immediate Release The design and fabrication experts at Lift-It Manufacturing have set another milestone in what could be considered the largest, synthetic bridle fabricated.  The 108 ton rated bridle featured a 5 inch diameter masterlink.  The link weighs 516 Lbs. and was selected to support and collect the two high capacity slings. The sling legs are high performance, Twin-Path® Extra Slings featuring K-Spec® high performance fiber. Spatial and pressure calculations were done in the design development stages by Mike Gelskey, Jr. and the sling was sold to Kennedy Wire Rope, Corpus Christi, TX.  Lift-It CEO and founder, Michael Gelskey, Sr. remarked, “I am extremely proud of our team in completing this assembly.  I have been in the rigging business for 40 years and have never seen a 5 inch masterlink.  When they say everything is big in Texas, they are not kidding”.  Lift-it Manufacturing is a worldwide leader in the supply of quality rigging and rigging training for 34 years. For more information contact Mike Gelskey, Jr. at 909.469-2251 or visit www.lift-it.com

The China Sling incident has gone viral as we have received the information from every major market segment of the industrial sling and rigging world.

This is no surprise to us as we have made our customers and students aware of the deception that has been going on for years! If you have not seen the news, please do not hesitate and click on this link now for more information!

When sling purchases are made solely on the basis of price, the low bid option will always be the successful bidder. Strategic alliance partners and large catalog supply companies who are driven by the obsession to be the successful low bidder, while maximizing profit margins will generally opt for a foreign option. There is nothing patently wrong with a foreign product as long as it meets the requirements of the purchaser.

What is patently wrong, illegal and immoral is when manufacturers and importers cut off the “Made in China” tags or a web sling is made in America with Chinese webbing, and the sling is not labeled, “Made in China”. This is the legal requirement for the marking of the country of origin as detailed in 19 CFR 134.11

The red core yarn incident should send a strong signal which is emblematic of far more significant issues. This is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg and are you going to keep rearranging the deck cars on the Titanic?

Consider working with someone you know and trust.
Consider working with someone that is your partner.
Consider working with someone that is knowledgeable.
Consider working with someone that provides 24/7/365 service.
Consider working with someone that has technical expertise.
Consider working with someone that is a problem solver.
Consider working with a rigging supplier that has an audited quality management system.

Safety Professionals at the Hanford test site had slings “sneak” into their facility from a large, domestic “catalog” supply company. We have provided training for them. They asked questions and it took the “catalog” supply company three weeks to admit the slings were Chinese products.

Don’t be hesitant to ask questions and if you don’t like the answers you’re getting….consider working with us.

Please click here as this will help you put things into their proper perspective.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to be of service.

Team Lift-It

View my Google+ Profile Here

ogle+ Profile Here