How to Select Hooks for Steel Chain Slings？
In industrial lifting operations, the choice of matching the Steel Chain Sling to the hook has a direct impact on the safety and efficiency of the operation. According to OSHA statistics, about 15% of lifting accidents originate from mismatched hooks and load types.
Core Requirements of Wire Chain Sling on Hooks
Load matching: Hook rated load ≥ chain sling working limit (WLL)
Geometric compatibility: the width of hook opening should be greater than 1.5 times of chain diameter (ASME B30.9 standard)
Anti-slip design: Equipped with safety latch or swivel lock to prevent the chain from slipping off.
Abrasion resistance: the hardness of hook body should be equivalent to the grade of chain (e.g. Grade 80 chain should be equipped with alloy steel hardened hook).
7 mainstream hook types and their application scenarios
Structural features: U-shaped opening, safety latch as standard.
Applicable scenarios: vertical lifting, static loads
Contraindication: Not to be used for side-pulling or rotating work.
Recommended combination: Grade 100 steel chain + hardened C-hook (load ≥ 10 tons)
2. Ramshorn Hook
Structural features: semi-circular hook body, double ear fixation points
Advantage: Support multi-directional force, suitable for inclined lifting
Data index: Recommended hook opening angle ≥ 120° (EN 1677).
3. Sliding Hook
Core technology: Hook body can be adjusted by sliding on the lifting point.
Typical applications: balance beam spreaders, multi-branch chain weights.
Operation specification: The sliding range should be controlled within 30% of the hook length.
4. Swivel Hook
Design highlights: 360° swivel bearing to minimize chain twisting.
Required scenarios: offshore platform lifting, frequent turning operations
Maintenance requirements: bearings need to be oiled and serviced every 500 hours.
(Other types: Grab Hook, Open Hook Eye Clip Locking, Foundry Hook, etc. can be expanded according to requirements)
5-step decision-making process for hook selection
1. Confirm load parameters
Calculate the actual load (including impact factor): static load × 1.25, dynamic load × 1.5
Example: when lifting 10 tons of equipment and need to move, the hook WLL should be ≥ 15 tons.
Vertical static: G80 self-locking hook(for chain sling)
Multi-angle: swivel hook, slide hook
Tie-down fixation: binder chain eye-bent hooks
2. Verify compatibility details
Hook opening width = chain diameter x 1.5 + 2mm tolerance
Hook depth needs to be > 2 times the chain diameter (to prevent extrusion)
FAQ
Q1: Is it possible to use ordinary hooks instead of alloy steel special hooks?
Absolutely prohibited! The yield strength of common hook is only 300MPa, while Grade 80 chain requires hook strength ≥ 640MPa.
Q2: How to judge the end-of-life standard of hooks?
Deformation of hook opening >10% of original size
Surface crack depth >2mm
Failure of safety latch to reset
Q3：How to match the hook for multi-branch slings?
Equalizer Hook should be used, and the bifurcation angle should be calculated accurately according to the number of branches (refer to the formula for calculating the lifting angle in How to choose a chain sling).
