Wire Rope, Slings and Shackles: Rigging Hardware Selection Guide

Match construction to the application

Non rotating, compacted wire rope suits precise lifts and smoother spooling on winch drums, which is why it shows up on crane winches more than general rigging. BPS stocks 26mm Python Compac 35 non rotating wire rope, grade 2160 steel, in 420 meter reels, alongside DSR, Kiswire, Ve Rope and Diepa Teufelberger as sourcing alternatives.

Preformed, lubricated rope reduces internal stress and extends service life, which matters most on ropes that spend long periods under load rather than being spooled constantly. Flat eye web slings suit fast rigging where the sling needs to sit flush under the load, a job wire rope handles poorly by comparison.

Confirm maximum breaking load and safety factor

BPS’s stocked 26mm Python wire rope carries a documented maximum breaking load of 667 kN. Compare the MBL of any wire rope or sling against the working load limit your job actually requires, and never load a rope or sling anywhere near its rated maximum, the gap between working load and breaking load is what protects the lift from an unexpected overload or dynamic shock during hoisting.

Match eye style to hardware

BPS’s polyester web slings are Type 3 flat eye construction built to ASME B30.9, two ply with sewn eyes designed to work with hooks, hoist rings and shackles. A second webbing sling listing covers a 4 inch by 6 meter sling rated to 4,000 kg straight lift SWL, confirm the exact size and rating you need by quotation rather than assuming one listing covers every size. Sewn eyes are matched to specific hardware types, check compatibility with your hooks and shackles before you order rather than after delivery.

Shackles and side loading

Green Pin and Crosby anchor shackles, both stocked by BPS, are rated for critical lifts and specifically for side loading, connecting chains, slings, ropes and hooks into a single rigging system. Side loading capacity is a distinct rating from straight line capacity, a shackle rated for a straight pull can be significantly overloaded by an angled lift that was never checked against its side load rating.

Inspect before every use

Read the safe working load on the label before every lift, and retire anything with cuts, abrasion, or damaged stitching immediately rather than continuing to use it until the next scheduled inspection. This applies equally to wire rope, web slings and shackles, all three degrade differently but all three need the same discipline of checking before, not after, a lift.

Common rigging mistakes

• Using wire rope where a flat eye web sling would sit better under the load, or the reverse
• Loading a rope or sling close to its maximum breaking load instead of well inside the working load limit
• Rigging a shackle at an angle without checking its side load rating against a straight pull rating
• Continuing to use a sling with visible cuts or damaged stitching until the next scheduled inspection

Relevant BPS products. 26mm Python Compac 35 non rotating wire rope, 667 kN MBL, Type 3 ASME B30.9 polyester web slings, and Green Pin or Crosby anchor shackles rated for side loading.

What to send with your RFQ. Working load limit required, rope diameter or sling width and length, eye style needed, and whether the lift involves any side loading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Guides

• How to Choose a Chain Hoist
• Crane Wire Rope Lubrication and Inspection Guide
• Industrial Lubricants and Greases Selection Guide

Editorial note. Wire rope construction, grade, MBL, sling type and shackle brand names are pulled directly from BPS’s own Lifting Components hub page content, not estimated.