The same sling carries three different ratings depending on how you rig it, and those ratings shrink further as leg angles flatten. Hitches and angles are the arithmetic of safe lifting — here's the whole picture on one page.
The Three Hitches
Vertical: one eye on the hook, one on the load — 100% of rated capacity, but no load control; a single vertical hitch lets the load spin. Choker: the sling wraps the load and passes through its own eye — roughly 75–80% of vertical rating, with real gripping power for bundles and pipe. If the choke angle at the eye is pulled below 120° (a tight, forced choke), capacity drops further — down to 40–60% at severe angles. Basket: the sling cradles the load with both eyes up — 200% of vertical when the legs are vertical, reduced by angle like any pair of legs. The load must be balanced or it can shift and slide.
Sling Angle Math
Angle is measured from horizontal. As legs flatten, tension in each leg rises even though the load hasn't changed:
| Angle | Capacity retained | Tension per leg (1,000 lb load, 2 legs) |
|---|---|---|
| 90° | 100% | 500 lb |
| 60° | 87% | 577 lb |
| 45° | 71% | 707 lb |
| 30° | 50% | 1,000 lb |
Below 30° the tension climbs so fast that ASME B30.9 effectively treats it as prohibited territory — rig longer slings or use a spreader instead. Quick field formula: leg tension = (load ÷ legs) ÷ sin(angle).
Choosing the Hitch
Pipe, bar, and bundles: double choker for control. Machinery with lift points: bridle to the points at 60° or better. Loads without lift points: basket with blocking to prevent slide, or a spreader bar to keep legs vertical. Long flexible loads: two slings minimum — never balance on one hitch.
Rules That Prevent Drops
Never shorten a sling with knots or bolts, protect every edge, keep the hook over the center of gravity, seat eyes fully in hardware, and read capacity from the tag for the hitch and angle you're actually using — not the vertical number on the label.
Slings for Every Hitch
Wire rope, chain, web, and round slings — with the shackles and hardware to rig them right, from our shackle and chain collections. Use the quote form at the top of the page with your load and reach — quotes answered during business hours.