In industries like construction or logistics, cranes are an essential part of lifting and transporting heavy loads. Even so, the accessories attached to the crane are the most important since those are the ones who ensure all the load is handled safely and efficiently. As such, choosing the correct lifting accessories is essential. The wrong choice might lead to accidents, equipment damage or inefficiencies. These are five overhead lifting options that can help this issue, by highlighting their features and proper use contexts.

Lifting Slings:The Backbone of Overhead Lifting

Lifting slings are a removable accessory used for overhead lifting of a heavy load, like an object or a vehicle. They are flexible straps or chains, that come in different types and sizes, such as rope slings, chain slings, nylon slings or synthetic slings. This diversity makes them a good choice in many operations and they can be used for a variety of load types with different weights. Due to their design, they are able to distribute weight in an even matter and to reduce the stress on the load and the crane.

All lifting slings are also well-suited for lifting objects of irregular shapes and can also do an excellent job when talking about lifting fragile items. Also, due to their versatility, many different types of lifting slings work better for certain jobs. Here are a few examples:

nylon slings are resistant to a wide array of chemicals or oils and, as such, these lifting accessories are perfect for a large range of industrial operations.synthetic slings work best when used for delicate surfaces.chain slings are better when working with heavy, high-temperature environments.Shackles: A Versatile Lifting Accessory

The shackles are pieces of metal that are made to secure the load to the crane, made of two components. The first component is the body, in the shape of the letter U, or a horseshoe. The other one is the bold, also called a pin, that attaches to the body at either side, in order to hold it in place, for a more stable lift. They act as a link between the lifting accessory and the loads. The most common types include bow shackles and D-shackles, that are made from alloy steel, in order to enhance their durability.

They are the most versatile of the lifting accessories, because of their design, adaptability and functionality across all industrial settings. Shackles can connect to different overhead liftingcomponents, making them the go-to solutions for diverse lifting operations. Since there are more types of shackles, that also adds to their versatility. For example, bow shackles accommodate multiple attachments or loads that may shift during the lift. Their pin and bolt mechanism also makes them a very easy to use, saving time.

Spreader Beams: Ensuring Stability

The spreader beam is used for distributing the lifting weight over two or more points, thanks to the horizontal bar that holds two slings apart. It is designed to be an overhead lifting component that is most useful when it comes to preventing the deformation of the load and minimizing the stress put on the lifting equipment.

A very significant advantage of spreader beams is that they have the ability to lift several loads at the same time, making them the perfect fit for operations that require efficiency and precision. They are also practical because they are specifically designed for lifting long, heavy or fragile objects, such as pipes, steel plates or precast concrete, objects that need the extra care and stability. Since spreader beams distribute the weight evenly across the multiple lifting points, they also minimize the stress of the load and reduce the risk of deformation or breakage.

Lifting Hooks: Reliable for Heavy Loads

A lifting hook is a one of the most commonly seen and essential lifting accessories used in crane operations. Composed of a curved and durable metal body with two “legs” that extend from the top of the hook, it is critical for securely attaching loads to the crane. The shape of the hook, often designed with a slight inward curve, helps ensure the load remains secure and stays in place during the lifting process, consequently reducing the disk of any type of accident.

Typically made from steel or alloy, these overhead lifting tools come in many shapes and sizes, depending on the weight of the load or the nature of the task it has to accomplish. The most common types of hooks are:

Eye hooks - featuring a loop, ideal for general lifting operationsSwivel hooks – built-in rotation, reduces twisting and stress on the loadSorting hooks – commonly used in forestryFoundry hooks – mostly used for bulky and large loadsJ-hooks – for curved surfacesGrab hooks – designed to hold a chainBarrel hooks – specially designed to lift barrels and other cylindrical objectsLoad Monitoring Systems: Safety First

Just as with any other tool in the industrial field, safety is the first thing one should think about. That is the reason why devices started being invented that can be installed on cranes, in order to give out a visual or audible alert every time the lift limit is exceeded while operating machinery.  These systems can display exactly what the carried weight is, as well as the carried limit. Not only can they be integrated within cranes, they can also be standalone devices, ensuring that the operation stays within safe working limits.

These lifting accessories are, of course, essential in any operation where exceeding capacity can lead to accidents. In addition, being able to have a display that works in real-time and that shows the lifted load, also allows the crane operator to maximize lifted amount, therefore improving productivity as well, by managing to reduce the number of required lifts in order to complete a given task. Such data can be crucial for preventing overloading too, which can cause structural damage. More modern monitoring systems are also equipped with automatic shutdown features that can activate when the load exceeds the recommended weight capacity.