Operating limits, angles & service life of chain-slings.
Chain-slings are robust and versatile lifting accessories for the safe lifting of a wide variety of loads. However, to ensure they achieve their full load-bearing capacity and to avoid hazards, the permissible operating conditions must be observed. Key factors include correct load distribution, permissible angles of inclination and spread, handling around sharp edges, and adherence to the specified operating temperatures. It is equally important to carry out regular inspections of the chain-sling for wear and damage to ensure its continued safe use. The following guidelines explain the most important operational limits and indicate when a chain-sling must no longer be used.
Table of contents.
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- Guidelines and rules for the use of chain-slings
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the angle of inclination and how is it measured?
- What is the spread angle?
- Can chain-slings be used on sharp edges?
- At what temperatures can chain-slings be used?
- When should a chain-sling be replaced?
- Our range of chain-slings
Rules for using chain-slings: Avoid these mistakes
- The working load limit applies only provided that the load is distributed evenly (symmetrically) across the strands. If this is not the case (e.g. uneven distribution or an oblique load), the actual load capacity may be significantly reduced.
- If chain legs are not arranged symmetrically, this results in an uneven load distribution. The ‘steepest’ leg then bears the greatest load. This can lead to individual legs being overloaded. With 4-leg systems, the situation is even more complex – in such cases, it must also be considered whether the load is structurally stable enough to bear the load correctly.
- In practice, it is often difficult to apply exactly the same load to all strands of a multi-leg chain – particularly with rigid, inflexible loads. Consequently, the forces are distributed unevenly. With 4-leg chains, it is therefore standard practice to apply only the load-bearing capacity of 3 legs (this is referred to as the ‘3-leg principle’).
- The force absorbed by a leg depends on the angle of inclination (see figure). The smaller the angle (i.e. the closer to the vertical), the more weight the strand bears. Legs positioned at a flatter angle, on the other hand, bear less weight because a larger proportion of their force does not act directly downwards.
- If there is both an asymmetrical distribution of the legs and different angles of inclination, these effects may either combine or cancel each other out.
- A load can still be regarded as symmetrical if all of the following conditions are met:
– The load is less than 80 % of the rated load capacity.
– The angles of inclination of all chain legs are at least 15°.
– The angles of inclination of all chain legs differ by no more than 15° from one another.
– For 3- and 4-leg chains, the angles of the legs in the attachment plane also differ by no more than 15° from one another. - In the case of asymmetrical loading, the lifting operation must be assessed by a competent person. Alternatively, the load capacity must be reduced to 50 % of the rated load capacity.
Please also note how to cast on using multiple legs. The following applies in accordance with DGUV Rule 109-017:
- Provided it is ensured that the load is distributed evenly across the legs, or that, in the event of uneven distribution, the permissible load on the individual legs is not exceeded, all legs may be treated as load-bearing.
- If this is not the case, a maximum of two legs may be treated as load-bearing.
- An uneven load distribution is always to be expected if:
– the load is not sufficiently elastic (i.e. it does not deform to balance the forces),
– no load-balancing device is present (e.g. a load-balancing rocker),
– the load itself has an asymmetrical geometry,
– the centre of gravity of the load is not centred. - However, a variation in load between the legs of up to 10 % may be regarded as negligible.
What is the angle of inclination and how is it measured?
The angle of inclination describes the angle between an imaginary vertical line (plumb line) and the respective chain strand. The load-bearing capacity of a chain leg depends directly on the angle of inclination: The greater the angle of inclination, the lower the load-bearing capacity. Angles of inclination exceeding 60° are not permitted. If multi-leg chaing-slings have different angles of inclination (asymmetrical load distribution), only the load-bearing capacity of the leg with the greatest angle of inclination may be used. In individual cases, shortening hooks or compensating swivels may be used for adjustment.
What is the spread angle?
In contrast to the angle of inclination, the spread angle measures the angle between two chain legs (maximum 120°).
Can chain-slings be used on sharp edges?
Yes. Chain-slings can be used on sharp edges, as they are made of high-strength round steel and are more resistant to edge loads than textile slings.
In such applications, it must be borne in mind that additional stresses may arise due to the concentrated load on the edge. In practice, therefore, the permissible working load is often reduced unless suitable edge protection is used or, alternatively, a larger nominal chain thickness is selected. This ensures an adequate safety margin.
To protect the chain and the load, and to distribute the forces more evenly, the use of edge protection may be advisable or necessary, e.g. PU edge protection solutions such as the DoLex PU edge protection bracket KWS or the DoLex PU square profile. These guide the chain precisely over the edge and reduce localised stress.
Textile slings such as round slings or lifting straps must not be used on sharp edges without suitable edge protection. For such applications, chain-slings – where necessary in combination with edge protection or a reduced load capacity – are the technically appropriate solution.
At what temperatures may chain-slings be used?
The permissible operating temperatures for chain-slings of Grade 8 are specified in the relevant standards. For grades 10 and 12, however, the operating temperatures depend on the manufacturer and must be taken from the relevant operating instructions.
The table below shows the permissible working load for the Dolezych range as a function of temperature and the respective strength class.
| Temperature | |||||||||||
| - 60° |
- 40° |
- 30° |
0° | +200° | +250° | +300° | +350° | +380° | +400° | ||
| G 8 | DoKett | 100% | 90% | 75% | |||||||
| G 10 |
DoComfort | 100% | 90% | 75% | |||||||
| DoKettPlus | 100% | 90% | 75% | ||||||||
| G 12 |
DoComfortMax | 100% | 90% | 75% | |||||||
| G 6 | DoKett Edelstahl |
100% | 75% | ||||||||
When is a chain-sling past its best and should no longer be used?
A chain-sling is ready for scrapping in the following cases, amongst others:
- Cracks, fissures or permanent deformations in a chain link, which indicate damage or overloading, and the breakage of a chain link
- A reduction in the thickness of a chain link by more than 10 % of the nominal thickness (i.e. if a chain link has become significantly thinner due to wear – meaning it has lost more than a tenth of its original thickness.)
- If the chain has become permanently longer due to overloading, because the chain links have stretched and thereby thinned. This can be recognised by an increase in the outer nominal dimension L of more than 3 % or an internal elongation of more than 5 %
- Widening of the hook mouth by more than 10 % compared to its original condition or other permanent deformations of the hook
- Wear of the hook base by more than 5 %, i.e. material loss on the hook’s bearing surface
- Wear of the suspension or end links by more than 10 % of the original material thickness
- Missing or illegible identification tag, meaning that the load-bearing capacity and grade cannot be clearly determined (until clarified, the chain must be treated as grade 2)
- Discolouration resulting from impermissible heat exposure, indicating that the permissible operating temperature has been exceeded
Chain-slings & accessories in the Dolezych shop:
Learn directly from the manufacturer.
As the world market leader in load-securing and lifting technologies, Dolezych has been synonymous with safe solutions for lifting, moving and transporting loads since 1935. In our slinging equipment seminars you’ll benefit from over 90 years of experience, up-to-date practical knowledge and the expertise of a company that develops its own products, participates in international standardisation bodies and actively drives innovation within the industry.
We don’t just teach theoretical principles, but also provide practical knowledge for the safe use of slings in day-to-day work. Our experts draw on experience gained from a range of over 20,000 items as well as from numerous bespoke solutions – from standard slings right through to custom designs for specific requirements.
With six sites across four continents and its headquarters in the Port of Dortmund, Dolezych combines international expertise with personalised on-site support. This means you receive training content directly from the manufacturer and system partner, which has stood for quality, safety and practical solutions in lifting and slinging technology for decades.
Seminar overview 2026.
Seminare und Termine im Überblick
Technical Seminar ‘Lifting Accessories’ with Certificate of Competence
- 1-day
- 30.09.2026
- In Selm (Forschungs- und Technologiezentrum Ladungssicherung)
- Fachseminar
Practical Seminar ‘Lifting Accessories’ with Certificate of Competence
- 2-day
- 01. & 02.12.2026
- In Dortmund (Deutsche Arbeitswelt Ausstellung (DASA))
- Praxisseminar
Do you have a question about slings or a specific application?
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