Round Slings
Lifting Gear Products supplies polyester round slings for lifting cylindrical, irregular and delicate loads across manufacturing, construction, engineering and entertainment applications throughout the UK.
Our PlumAlti round slings are made in the UK from high-tenacity polyester and colour coded by Working Load Limit. Ready-made round slings from 1t to 10t WLL are available to buy online, with bespoke lengths up to 120t WLL made to order for heavy lift projects.
Products
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PlumAlti Black Round Sling – 1t-2t WLL
Price on request -
PlumAlti Standard Ready Made Heavy-Duty Polyester Round Sling – 1-10t WLL
From: £2.68£3.22From: £2.41£2.89 Exc VATInc VAT
What Is a Round Sling?
A round sling is an endless loop of load-bearing polyester yarn enclosed in a protective woven sleeve. The load is carried by the yarn inside, while the sleeve protects it from wear. This makes round slings very flexible and soft, so they mould closely around the load and grip it securely without marking the surface.
Because the sling is endless, the lifting position can be rotated between lifts to spread wear evenly around the loop.
Our Round Sling Range
Ready-Made Polyester Round Slings
Our standard round slings are available from 1t to 10t WLL in a range of effective working lengths, and can be bought online.
Explore ready-made polyester round slings.
Bespoke Length Round Slings up to 120t WLL
Where a standard length doesn’t suit the lift, we can supply round slings made to the length you need, with capacities from 1t up to 120t WLL for heavy lift and project work.
Request bespoke length round slings.
Black Round Slings for Theatre and Entertainment
Black round slings are used for stage, theatre and live event rigging, where lifting equipment needs to blend in when it’s in view of an audience. Our PlumAlti black round slings are available from 1t to 2t WLL.
Round Sling Colour Codes
Round slings are colour coded so the Working Load Limit for a straight lift can be identified at a glance. Each sling also carries a blue label, showing it is polyester, with its WLL, length and mode factors.
| WLL (straight lift) | Round sling colour |
|---|---|
| 1t | Violet |
| 2t | Green |
| 3t | Yellow |
| 4t | Grey |
| 5t | Red |
| 6t | Brown |
| 8t | Blue |
| 10t | Orange |
Using Round Slings: Hitches and Loads
Round slings can be used in straight, choke and basket hitches. A choke hitch reduces the permitted load, while a basket hitch can increase it depending on the angle between the legs, so always use the mode factors on the sling label.
Round slings are the best choice for:
- Cylindrical loads such as pipes, rollers, drums and tubes
- Irregular or awkwardly shaped loads that a flat sling can’t grip evenly
- Painted, polished or finished surfaces that a chain sling would mark
- Lifts where the sling needs to choke tightly around the load
For flat-sided or boxed loads that need a wider bearing surface, a webbing sling is usually the better option.
Protecting and Connecting Round Slings
Use wear sleeves or edge protection wherever a round sling passes over a corner, as even a fairly blunt edge can cut the sleeve and yarn under load. Keep round slings away from temperatures above 100°C and from alkaline chemicals, and never knot or tie a sling to shorten it.
To connect round slings to a hook or chain system, use a shackle or coupling with a wide, rounded bearing surface, such as a sling shackle from our lifting shackles range or a round sling coupling from our sling components.
Round Sling Standards and Inspection
Our PlumAlti round slings are made to BS EN 1492-2, with a 7:1 safety factor and an operating range of -40°C to +100°C. Check each round sling before use for cuts or abrasion to the sleeve, exposed yarn, heat or chemical damage and a missing label, and remove any damaged sling from service. Round slings must also be thoroughly examined under LOLER at least every six months.
Round Slings FAQs
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What is a round sling used for?
Round slings are used to lift cylindrical, irregular and delicate loads such as pipes, rollers, machinery parts and finished goods. Their soft, flexible construction grips the load closely without marking the surface.
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What is the difference between a round sling and a webbing sling?
A round sling is an endless loop of polyester yarn inside a protective sleeve, so it is very flexible and wraps closely around the load. A webbing sling is a flat strap with an eye at each end, giving a wider bearing surface for flat-sided or boxed loads.
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What do the colours on round slings mean?
The colour shows the Working Load Limit for a straight lift: violet 1t, green 2t, yellow 3t, grey 4t, red 5t, brown 6t, blue 8t and orange 10t.
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Can round slings be used in a choke hitch?
Yes. Round slings can be used in straight, choke and basket hitches, but a choke hitch reduces the Working Load Limit. Always use the mode factors shown on the sling label.
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What is the maximum WLL of a round sling?
Our ready-made round slings go up to 10t WLL, and we can supply bespoke round slings up to 120t WLL for heavy lift projects.
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Why should round slings be rotated between lifts?
Because a round sling is an endless loop, moving the contact points between lifts spreads wear around the sleeve and helps the sling last longer.
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Why are some round slings black?
Black round slings are used in theatre, stage and live event rigging, where lifting equipment needs to be less visible to an audience.
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How do I know when a round sling should be scrapped?
Remove a round sling from service if the sleeve is cut or worn through, the inner yarn is exposed or damaged, it shows heat or chemical damage, or its label is missing or unreadable.