7 Types of Rigging Equipment Commonly Used Across Industries

How do you plan to lift heavy loads at your worksite?

In various industries, the terms rigging and lifting are often used interchangeably.

This process involves using heavy equipment such as cranes, hoists, and hydraulic machines.

While rigging is quite common, it’s a crucial and potentially dangerous process when working on-site.

Therefore, knowing the different types of rigging equipment commonly used is essential.

In this article, we will explain the common types of rigging equipment and their characteristics.

Let’s dive into the details!

What is Rigging? How is it Different from Lifting?

Rigging refers to the process of moving heavy objects from one location to another.

Specifically, for instance, it’s the process of tying, securing, and lifting a stack of wooden pallets using ropes, chains, or slings that involve pulleys or cranes.

This is a standard procedure when using heavy equipment to lift loads in various industries, such as construction, mining, and manufacturing.

Common types of rigging equipment connect the lifting device to the load.

Without the use of proper rigging equipment, loads cannot be moved to other locations since heavy lifting equipment like cranes always require connectors to lift the loads.

It is vital to ensure the load can be lifted and positioned safely and securely.

7 Common Types of Rigging Equipment

Different loads require different rigging tools that serve various functions.

Therefore, it’s essential to understand the common type of rigging equipment and how they work.

1. Wire Rope

Wire rope comprises strands of steel wires twisted together to form a large and durable cable.

Referring to OSHA 1926.251(c)(4), the standard for this equipment is that each rope should be continuous without a knot.

This common type of rigging equipment is typically attached to shackles, swivels, or cranes to lift heavy loads.

Wire ropes can handle loads weighing several tons, depending on factors like the rope’s diameter, steel grade, and the finishing coatings.

They are widely used in construction, shipping, and mining industries to lift large, heavy objects.

Wire ropes offer excellent abrasion resistance and can bear very heavy loads.

However, they are prone to corrosion without protective coatings and may break if overused.

Additionally, they are less favored for transporting finished goods due to the risk of damaging the surface of the items.

2. Hooks and Shackles

Hooks and shackles connect ropes, chains, or slings to the load.

This one common types of rigging equipment are designed to secure the load during lifting operations.

Common types include choker, clevis, eye, and sorting hooks.

They are frequently used in the shipping, oil, and gas industries.

One significant advantage is that hooks and shackles are easy to use and remove, making them flexible for complex lifting scenarios.

However, without proper knowledge, they can bend or break under stress.

When selecting hooks and shackles, you need to consider the weight of the load, the lifting angle, the load’s shape, and the hook’s opening size.

3. Slings

Another common type of rigging equipment is the sling. Slings are lifting devices made from synthetic fibers that help lift heavy loads.

They are often used with pulleys or cranes.

Slings come in various types, including webbing, round, and endless slings, each serving a specific function.

Their strength varies depending on the width, but they can lift loads weighing several tons at maximum capacity.

Slings are lighter and more flexible than wire ropes, making them widely used across construction, transportation, shipping, and manufacturing.

It’s best to purchase from licensed distributors like Sebatek for high-quality and long-lasting slings.

As a certified distributor, Sebatek produces slings that meet stringent E.U. safety requirements.

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4. Eye Bolts

Eye bolts are fasteners with a loop at the top used to lift loads. 

They connect ropes or chains to the load for lifting.

The main difference between eye bolts and other common types of rigging equipment like hooks or shackles is that eye bolts are designed specifically for providing a stable, fixed point of connection for ropes and chains.

Common types of Eye bolts include:

• Shouldered bolts: Shouldered bolts feature an additional shoulder that allows them to lift loads at various angles.

This shoulder helps distribute the stress more evenly when the load isn’t lifted vertically, ensuring safer lifting operations at non-vertical angles.

• Non-shouldered/straight bolts: Since non-shouldered bolts lack the additional support of a shoulder, they are best suited for vertical lifting where the load is directly above the lifting point.

This ensures that the bolt remains stable and safe under direct tension.

• U bolts: U bolts are shaped like a “U” and are commonly used to secure loads to a stable point, such as poles or cylindrical objects.

This design helps create a firm grip on the load, preventing it from shifting during transport or lifting.

Eye bolts are widely used in manufacturing, construction, and logistics industries to lift or pull objects.

However, they may detach from the load during lifting if not installed correctly.

If eye bolts detach during lifting, it can lead to accidents, causing injury to workers, damaging equipment or materials, and resulting in financial losses.

Additionally, such incidents could lead to costly downtime and potential legal liabilities related to safety violations.

If you wish to use this common type of rigging equipment, consider some key factors, including the load weight, the type of sling, the bolt’s material, and the load angle.

5. Pulleys and Blocks

Pulleys and blocks are systems of wheels and ropes used to lift or move loads by reducing the effort required. 

For instance, in construction, pulleys are used to lift heavy building materials to higher floors, while in the mining industry, they help hoist minerals and equipment from deep shafts.

Their size and lifting capacity vary based on the pulley size and the number of ropes used.

This common type of rigging equipment is typically used in the construction, mining, and shipping industries, where there is ample space for installation.

• Construction: Pulleys are used to lift materials such as steel beams, concrete slabs, and scaffolding.
• Mining: Blocks are employed to lower machinery or extract minerals from deep underground.
• Shipping: Pulleys help in lifting large containers and heavy cargo off ships for loading and unloading.

Although reliable, pulleys and blocks require regular maintenance to prevent wear and damage.

6. Spreader Bars

Spreader bars are long bars used to distribute weight evenly during lifting operations.

This helps prevent damage to the load by spreading the pressure across several points.

The lifting capacity of spreader bars varies depending on their length and the material used.

A steel spreader bar with a length of 6 meters may have a higher lifting capacity than an aluminum one, but the aluminum bar may be lighter and easier to maneuver.

They are commonly employed in industries such as oil and construction to lift large, fragile objects like pipes or machinery components.

For examples:

• Oil industry: Spreader bars are used to lift long sections of pipeline, ensuring that they don’t bend or break under their own weight during transport.
• Construction industry: They are used to lift large machinery components such as cranes or prefabricated building sections.

Spreader bars are highly effective in distributing weight evenly, which reduces the risk of structural damage to the lifted object.

However, their large size makes them less practical for use in tight spaces and difficult to move.

7. Turnbuckles

Turnbuckles are tensioning devices that adjust the tension or length of ropes, cables, or chains in rigging systems.

They come in two types: stretching screws and bottle screws.

Turnbuckles are commonly used in construction, maritime, and transportation industries to fine-tune the tension of rigging cables or ropes.

In construction, turnbuckles are used to adjust the tension in support cables for scaffolding.

Meanwhile in maritime industries, they help secure rigging lines on ships, while in transportation, they are used to tighten cargo straps on trucks.

They are essential for making precise tension adjustments.

However, they are prone to rust in wet or corrosive environments.

Turnbuckles are not ideal for companies operating in highly corrosive environments, such as coastal areas or chemical plants, unless they use corrosion-resistant materials like stainless steel.

Rust can weaken the turnbuckle, reducing its effectiveness and potentially leading to safety issues.

Sebatek: Your Best Global Standard Certified Sling Solution

That’s a summary of the common types of rigging equipment you should know to ease your heavy-lifting processes.

So, which type of rigging equipment fits your needs?

If you’re looking for strong, flexible, lightweight equipment, Sebatek slings are the answer!

Sebatek is a certified distributor of sling belts that follow global safety standards.

We consistently deliver the best quality products and ensure workplace safety.

Need sling belts for easy lifting? Check our catalog for sizes and capacities that meet your needs!

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