Heavy Lifting Slings – Testing Times

For global projects, you need a global perspective. Lankhorst Ropes' Heavy Lift team recently co-ordinated the proof load testing of ultra heavy lift slings, manufactured in Portugal, at multiple test facilities in the Netherlands, Norway and United States.

Lankoforce heavy lift slings are manufactured to unprecedented levels of repeatable length accuracy. By eliminating the variability of sling length, heavy lift projects are easier to engineer and perform. According to Marcel van der Molen, Sales Director at Lankhorst Ropes, “Ultra-heavy lift slings capable of lifting more than 10,000 tons are in demand as offshore engineering contractors look to lift larger and heavier loads.” And with lifts up to 15,000 T expected over the next decade, Lankhorst is applying its engineering and technical know-how to meet the challenge.

Synthetic fiber slings are often preferred over steel wire slings as the self-weight of the wire can significantly reduce the crane's lifting capacity. Also, the better handling characteristics are especially suitable for many lifting applications.

Lankhorst Ropes already has an established range of heavy lift slings. Lankoforce HL slings are manufactured in two configurations, eye-and-eye (E&E) and endless loop (sometimes referred to as grommet). LankoForce HL slings have lifting capacities up to 3,245 T MBL based on a 184mm diameter Dyneema rope.

Lankhorst Gama®98 ultra-heavy lift sling with a capacity of 9,000 T MBL have diameters up to 300mm. Splicing and eye production for the large diameter slings is more demanding but Lankhorst is no stranger to larger diameter ropes as the leading supplier to deepwater mooring lines.

“Unlike lower capacity heavy lift slings, ultra heavy lift slings are more technically demanding” says van der Molen. “This plays to Lankhorst's strengths in rope materials and engineering together with our global manufacturing capability. The ability to manufacture slings of equal length is crucial to the ability to precisely control the lift.”

For more information on Lankhorst Ropes and Heavy Lift Slings, email Marcel van der Molen at mm@lankhorstropes.com and visit Lankhorst Ropes at www.lankhorstropes.com .