What Is Rigging Equipment? Types, Uses and Selection Guide

What Is Rigging Equipment?

Rigging equipment is the collective term for the load-rated components used to connect a load to a lifting device and move that load safely from one position to another. It includes the slings that attach to the load, the hardware that connects the assembly, the hoists that provide the lifting force, and the below-the-hook devices that adapt the connection to specific load types and geometries.

Understanding what rigging equipment is and which components are required for a specific application is the starting point for every safe lift. Selecting the wrong sling type, an undersized shackle, or a hook without an adequate safety latch are among the most common causes of rigging failures and dropped loads.

Primary Categories of Rigging Equipment

Slings

Slings are the flexible connectors that wrap around or attach to the load and transfer its weight to the crane hook or hoist. The four main types used in industrial rigging are chain slings, wire rope slings, Round Slings (polyester endless), and web slings (flat polyester or nylon).

Chain Slings are selected for high-temperature environments and loads with sharp edges. Wire rope slings are used for heavy industrial lifts requiring high strength and abrasion resistance. Round and web slings are used for general lifting where surface protection matters and temperature conditions are within synthetic rating limits. Sling selection depends on load weight, hitch type, sling angle, and edge conditions at the contact zone. ASME B30.9 governs inspection and removal criteria for all sling types.

Rigging Hardware

Rigging Hardware connects slings, chains, and wire rope assemblies to each other and to the load or lifting device. The main hardware categories are shackles, hooks, master links, turnbuckles, swivels, and eye bolts.

Shackles are the most used connecting link, available as screw pin or bolt type, and in anchor (bow) or chain (dee) body configurations. Hooks connect the sling assembly to the crane or hoist. Master Links gather the upper ends of multi-leg sling assemblies into a single connection point. All rigging hardware must be selected with a WLL equal to or greater than the load it carries in its configured connection. ASME B30.26 covers rigging hardware selection, inspection, and removal-from-service criteria.

Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices

Below-the-hook (BTH) devices connect between the crane hook and the load to adapt the connection for specific load shapes, weights, and geometries. Common BTH devices include lifting beams (for long or flexible loads requiring multiple pick points), Spreader Beams (to separate sling legs and eliminate compression on the load), coil lifters (for steel coils), and lifting magnets (for ferrous plate and structural steel).

ASME B30.20 governs below-the-hook lifting devices. Each device carries a rated load capacity and must be inspected and maintained per the manufacturer's documentation and the standard.

Hoists and Cranes

Hoists provide the mechanical force to raise and lower loads. Manual chain hoists are used for intermittent work at lower capacities. Lever hoists are used for both lifting and horizontal pulling, pulling chain through an obstacle or tensioning a load in position. Electric chain hoists are used for higher-frequency operations where manual effort is impractical. Cranes, overhead, jib, and mobile, support the hoist and provide horizontal movement of the load across the work area.

Key Selection Factors

Correct rigging equipment selection requires knowing the load weight and center of gravity, the hitch configuration being used (vertical, choker, or basket), the sling angle from vertical, the edge conditions at the contact point, and the operating temperature. For multi-leg assemblies, the master link and all connecting hardware must be rated for the full assembly working load limit at the configured angle.

Sling angle has a significant effect on WLL. A two-leg chain sling at a 60-degree angle from vertical carries approximately 87 percent of its rated vertical capacity per leg. At 30 degrees from vertical, each leg carries approximately 50 percent. Manufacturer angle efficiency charts show the WLL for each sling type at standard angles.

Rigging Equipment Inspection

All rigging equipment must be inspected before each use. Slings are inspected per ASME B30.9, hardware per ASME B30.26, and below-the-hook devices per ASME B30.20. Remove from service any component showing deformation, cracks, wear exceeding manufacturer limits, corrosion affecting the load-bearing cross-section, or illegible WLL markings.

Holloway Houston provides Rigging Equipment Inspection Services for customers managing scheduled periodic inspection programs. Inspection documentation supports regulatory compliance and traceability requirements.

Contact Holloway Houston

Holloway Houston stocks the full range of rigging equipment in Houston, TX. Contact Holloway Houston at 1-888-496-4700 for selection assistance, proof testing, or inspection services.