6 Advantages of Lifting With HHI Silverback Slings

Thanks to primary driving forces like the construction, oil and gas, mining, and offshore wind power, the global heavy lifting industry is on the rise. One of the most critical pieces of equipment required in any heavy lifting project is slings. People often use slings to tie the loads to the lifting arm of the crane or a spreader bar.

Traditionally, most companies relied on ropes made from natural fibers or metals like steel to lift heavy loads. While natural fiber slings or ropes offered flexibility, they lacked the strength to lift extremely heavy loads. On the other hand, steel ropes could lift extremely heavy loads, but they were not as flexible as the natural fiber ropes.

However, with the introduction of slings made from synthetic fibers, like our Silverback Slings, the overhead lifting industry has found a reliable, flexible, and cost-effective alternative. You can also use these slings in a range of challenging environments.

Here are a few advantages of using Silverback Slings for your heavy lifting applications:

Remarkably Lightweight

If you have worked in the heavy lifting industry long enough, you know that most projects require you to lift oddly-shaped objects, and you often have to work on remote locations as well. That’s why using steel wire ropes is often a challenge. You need slings that you can transport to the site and inside the location easily.

Silverback Slings, being extremely lightweight, are easy to move. For example, a vertical 15′ 75-ton sling weighs less than 75 pounds. So, you don’t have to use ROVs or any other special equipment to handle them on or off the site. It not only makes your job less cumbersome but also proves to be less expensive as you don’t have to pay for hiring and driving ROVs.

Higher Tolerance for Saltwater

Heavy lifting is often required in challenging environments with high temperatures or a highly saline environment. Silverback Slings have a high tolerance for prolonged saltwater immersion. This makes them suitable for use in offshore wind power projects or deep-sea oil rigs.

These synthetic slings are made from Honeywell Spectra® fibers. Even after six months of saltwater immersion, the slings have shown no reduction in lifting capacity. However, the capacity showed only a 1% to 2% loss after 12 months of immersion. So, you can lift heavy loads in a saltwater environment without having to worry about losing the lifting capacity.

Excellent Strength

Polyester fibers, made to use in synthetic slings like Silverback, are not only soft but also strong. Their unique chemical structure and higher elasticity make them more durable than natural fibers like cotton or jute. Compared to aramid fibers like Technora or Kevlar, Silverback Slings have up to 40% higher specific strength. Thus, you can lift extremely heavy loads using these slings.

Good Floatation Properties

Silverback Slings have a density of 0.97-g/cc, which is slightly lower than freshwater and even more so compared to seawater. As a result, they can remain relatively stable in deep water, making them more suitable for offshore applications.

High-Contact Rigging Efficiency

Most traditional slings have reasonably large and fixed diameters in relation to the lifting potential. In other words, they may not fit the load-bearing surface properly, resulting in an accident. Silverback Slings, on the other hand, are designed to increase their rigging efficiency considerably.

Silverback Slings use a unique oversized triple cover with a parallel laid yarn inside. As a result, they can reshape and fit load-bearing surfaces perfectly. The increased surface contact leads to a firm grip, reducing the chances of accidents.

Works in a Variety of Challenging Environments

Silverback Slings have a variety of mechanical properties that make them suitable for a variety of work environments. For example, the high resistance to most acids and bleaching agents makes these synthetic slings suitable for use in workplaces prone to chemical hazards or spills.

With high-cut resistance, you can use them to lift objects with keen edges. However, you need to use some cushion to avoid any potential damage. The high-pressure resistance allows you to use these slings in high-pressure environments.

The superior damping characteristics also reduce the effect of vibration, shock, or any other physical impact, protecting your load from excessive swaying. These Holloway Houston synthetic rope slings are also resistant to UV radiation, making them more durable compared to their traditional counterparts. Finally, the High Specific Modulus makes them an excellent tool for lifting and mooring in ultra-deepwater.

Wrapping Up

In recent years, synthetic slings have taken the heavy lifting industry by storm. Silverback Slings are one of the most popular synthetic slings out there. Hopefully, taking a look at the above benefits should encourage you to consider them for your next overhead lifting project. If you have customized requirements, we can provide you with made-to-order slings as well. Drop us an email or a comment to take this discussion further.