My old rigger used to swear by a four-part sling for every lift, but after a tricky 15-ton generator placement in a tight Philly alley, I've switched to two-part chokers for control.

What's your go-to for tight spots, and when do you think the extra parts are actually worth the hassle?

3 comments

3 Comments

My first crane job was a 12-ton AC unit on a Boston rooftop. More than two legs just kills your feel for the load. You lose that direct connection through the line. I only add parts now for a wide, flimsy load that really needs the extra support points to stay rigid. Otherwise, it's just extra hardware to manage and more chances for something to bind up in the rigging.

schmidt.grant1mo ago

Yeah, two-part chokers are the only way to get any real feel in a tight spot. What was it about that four-part setup that made you lose control, was it just too much hardware in the air or did it start to bind? I'll only go to more parts if the load is crazy wide and I absolutely need the stability, otherwise it's just more things to get tangled.

dylan239d ago

Ever think about how the crane's age plays into this? An old winch with worn grooves handles multiple parts way worse than a new one, @schmidt.grant. That hidden wear might be what really kills your feel before the hardware even binds up.