Eye & Eye Wire Rope Slings for Lifting

Industry Standard for Eye & Eye Wire Rope Slings

Eye & eye wire rope slings are among the most common types of lifting slings used for heavy-duty applications across industries. Consisting of a single length of wire rope with a fabricated eye at each end, they can be rigged in vertical, choker, and basket hitches, making them highly adaptable to various load shapes, sizes, and lifting requirements.

Wire Rope Sling Common Hitch Configurations

Vertical Hitch

Used for lifting loads straight up with full rated capacity. Single attachment point configuration for straightforward vertical lifts.

Choker Hitch

Wraps around the load to provide secure grip on loads that may shift during movement. Rated capacity is reduced per ASME B30.9 requirements.

Basket hitch

The sling is looped under the load, utilizing both eyes for lifting. Provides significantly increased capacity and balanced weight distribution for heavy or bulky items.

Design and Materials

Holloway Houston’s Eye & Eye Wire Rope Slings are made from Extra Improved Plow Steel (EIPS) with an Independent Wire Rope Core (IWRC). This combination provides high tensile strength and resists crushing while maintaining rope shape under load. Each sling is internally lubricated to reduce friction and extend service life.

Wire Rope Grade & Type

Each Eye & Eye Wire Rope Sling is produced using EIPS and IWRC wire rope to achieve dependable lifting strength and uniform performance.
EIPS (Extra Improved Plow Steel) : Provides higher tensile capacity and wear resistance than standard grades, maintaining rope flexibility and smooth strand movement.
IWRC (Independent Wire Rope Core) : Adds internal reinforcement that helps maintain rope shape under tension and reduces flattening or structural fatigue during use

Configurations

Eye & Eye wire rope slings are available in two common strand constructions to meet different lifting conditions.
6×19 Wire Rope : Standard configuration for general-purpose lifting. Offers strong abrasion resistance with balanced flexibility.
6×36 Wire Rope : Preferred when greater flexibility is needed, especially for lifts involving multiple contact points or frequent re-rigging.
Quality : Both wire rope types are produced and tested to meet ASME B30.9 and OSHA 1910.184 standards, supporting consistent performance across industrial applications.

End Terminations

Each Eye & Eye sling is finished with mechanically swaged Flemish eyes using carbon steel sleeves, producing a secure and uniform termination.
Flemish Eye with Thimble (Optional) : The Flemish splice provides a strong mechanical bond, while the optional steel thimble helps maintain eye form and minimizes wear at connection points.
Plain Eye : Standard eye termination suitable for hooks, shackles, and lifting points where direct connection is preferred.
Galvanized or Bright Finish : Available based on environmental exposure and corrosion requirements.

Eye & Eye Wire Rope Slings

Eye & Eye Slings are available in various sizes and materials to meet the application's specific needs. Eye & Eye Slings are made from high-quality materials and are designed to withstand the rigors of everyday use.

When selecting an Eye & Eye Sling, it is crucial to consider the following factors:

The weight of the load to be lifted.
The type of material to be lifted
The environment in which the sling will be used
The required lifting capacity
Eye & Eye Slings should be inspected regularly for signs of wear and tear. Slings that are damaged should be removed from service immediately.

Wire Rope Sling - Flemish Eye vs. Mechanical Splice

Holloway specializes in the Flemish Eye Splice, the most reliable and trusted method for forming the eye of a sling.

Flemish Eye (Spliced and Swaged)

This process involves un-laying the wire rope at each end and then re-laying the strands in opposite directions to form the eye. A carbon steel sleeve is then placed over the splice and swaged (pressed) under enormous pressure. This creates a secure connection that traps the wire ends, and the sleeve will not come off even if it cracks or deforms, making it the safer, stronger, and more reliable option.

Mechanical Splice

In this method, the rope end is simply bent back to form the eye and held in place with a swaged sleeve. Unlike the Flemish Eye, the strands are not interwoven before swaging. While faster to fabricate, a mechanical splice does not provide the same strength or level of safety, which is why Holloway prioritizes the Flemish Eye for its sling production.

Selecting the Right Sling for Your Application

When selecting an eye & eye wire rope sling, evaluate the load, environment, and hardware setup carefully. Consider the factors below to choose a sling that matches your lifting requirements and safety standards.

Load Analysis

Load weight, dimensions, center of gravity, and attachment point locations.

Hitch Configuration

Vertical, choker, or basket hitch based on load geometry.

Required Capacity

Working Load Limit at planned sling angle from horizontal.

Environmental Factors

Marine, offshore, or corrosive conditions requiring galvanized finish.

Hardware Compatibility

Thimble size and eye dimensions compatible with shackles or hooks.

Compliance Requirements

ASME B30.9 and OSHA 1910.184 standards for your application.

Note : Eye terminations may include standard eyes or thimbled eyes. Thimbles help maintain the rope’s shape and reduce wear at connection points, especially when used with shackles or hooks.

Eye & Eye Wire Rope Sling Capacities Rating Chart

Use the following table to determine the rated capacity for your sling based on wire rope diameter and hitch type. All capacities are listed in short tons (2,000 lbs).

Wire Rope Dia.(inches)	Rated Capacities in Short Tons			Standard Eye Dimensions		Heavy Duty Thimble Eye Dimensions		Minimum Sling Length
Wire Rope Dia.(inches)	Vertical Hitch	Choker Hitch	Vertical Basket Hitch	W”	L”	W”	L”	Minimum Sling Length
1/4”	0.65	0.48	1.3	2”	4”	7/8”	1-5/8”	1’6”
5/16”	1	0.74	2	2-1/2”	5”	1-1/16”	1-7/8”	1’9”
3/8”	1.4	1.1	2.9	3”	6”	1-1/8”	2-1/8”	2
1/2”	2.5	1.9	5.1	4”	8”	1-1/2”	2-3/4”	2’6”
9/16”	3.2	2.4	6.4	4-1/2”	9”	1-1/2”	2-3/4”	2’9”
5/8”	3.9	2.9	7.8	5”	10”	1-3/4”	3-1/4”	3
3/4”	5.6	4.1	11	6”	12”	2”	3-3/4”	3’6”
7/8”	7.6	5.6	15	7”	14”	2-1/4”	4-1/4”	4
1”	9.8	7.2	20	8”	16”	2-1/2”	4-1/2”	4’6”
1-1/8”	12	9.1	24	9”	18”	2-7/8”	5-1/8”	5
1-1/4”	15	11	30	10”	20”	2-7/8”	5-1/8”	5’6”
1-3/8”	18	13	36	11”	22”	3-1/2”	6-1/4”	6
1-1/2”	21	16	42	12”	24”	3-1/2”	6-1/4”	7
1-3/4”	28	21	57	14”	28”	4-1/2”	9”	8
2”	37	28	73	16”	32”	6”	12”	9
2-1/4”	44	35	89	18”	36”	7”	14”	10
2-1/2”	54	42	109	20”	40”	-	-	11
2-3/4”	65	51	130	22”	44”	-	-	12
3”	77	60	153	24”	48”	-	-	13
3-1/2”	102	79	203	28”	56”	-	-	16’6”
4”	130	100	257	32”	64”	-	-	20
4-1/2”	160	124	320	36”	72”	-	-	24
6”	257	200	513	48”	96”	-	-	30

Note : Vertical basket hitch capacities assume straight vertical loading. Actual capacity may be reduced based on sling angle from horizontal. Always calculate sling tension at planned rigging angles per ASME B30.9 requirements.

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Custom Solutions and Ordering

Holloway Houston can produce eye & eye slings in custom lengths with:

Standard or heavy-duty thimbles.

Bright or galvanized finish for corrosion resistance.

Custom eye dimensions for specific hardware requirements.

Complete certification packages and proof test documentation.

Quality and Compliance

Each eye & eye wire rope sling is manufactured, inspected, and proof-tested to meet ASME B30.9 and OSHA 1910.184 standards. Every sling includes a permanent identification tag displaying:

Working Load Limit (WLL) for vertical, choker, and basket hitch configurations.
Sling length and wire rope diameter.
Sling serial number for traceability to material certifications and test records.
Manufacturer identification (Holloway Houston).
Care and operational instructions

Standards Met :

ASME B30.9
OSHA 1910.184

Inspection, Tagging, and Compliance :

Each sling is proof-tested to twice the vertical WLL per ASME B30.9 requirements.
Serialized tags and complete documentation make sure full product traceability.
Test certificates documenting proof testing to 2× vertical WLL provided with each order

All slings are proof-tested to 2× the vertical WLL and designed with a minimum 5:1 design factor per ASME B30.9 requirements.

All eye & eye wire rope slings are made in-house at Holloway Houston, allowing full control over materials, splicing, and testing. Each sling is made to handle lifting jobs safely and consistently across different industries.

Full In-House Fabrication

Every sling is produced in our Houston facility by trained riggers. We handle the entire process, from preparing materials to final inspection, to maintain consistent quality and compliance.

High-Quality Materials

Made from Extra Improved Plow Steel (EIPS) wire rope with an Independent Wire Rope Core (IWRC). Available in bright or galvanized finish. Each Flemish eye splice is reinforced with steel sleeves pressed under hydraulic pressure for added strength.

Rigorous Testing

Each sling is proof-tested to twice its rated Working Load Limit (WLL), inspected, and certified according to ASME B30.9 and OSHA 1910.184 standards before delivery.