Why Can't You Lift With Grade 70 Chain? #construction #crane #rigging #chain

We get this question ALL the time: "Why can't I lift with Grade 70 chain if my load weighs significantly less than the chain's WLL?"

Grade 70 chain and Grade 80 and 100 chain are different types of steel.
Grade 70 = Heat-Treated Carbon Steel
Grade 80 & 100 = Heat-Treated Alloy Steel

Alloy Steel is made to stretch if overloaded before catastrophic failure occurs. If a mistake is made, the rigger, spotter, or crane operator should be able to catch it before a disaster happens, causing damage, injury, or death. THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOU CAN OVERLOAD YOUR CHAIN. NEVER EXCEED YOUR CHAIN'S WLL.

Grade 70 chain does not share these same properties. If a Grade 70 chain is overloaded it could burst. Carbon Steel Chain is NOT made for lifting loads. It is not manufactured with this application in mind, and therefore, can be dangerous to do so.

Alloy Steel Chain, Grade 80, 100, and 120, are built for overhead lifting and are proof-tested to ensure they can handle the loads they are lifting.

ASTM A413 / A413M-21: This specification covers carbon steel chain for such applications as railroad cars, construction, industrial uses, load binding, and general purposes other than overhead lifting.

ASME B30.9 Slings 1.2.1: The alloy steel chain shall be manufactured with ASTM A391 / A391M for Grade 80 chain and ASTM A973 / A973M for Grade 100 chain

ASTM A391 / A391M-21: This specification deals with Grade 80 heat-treated alloy steel chain for applications such as slings, lifting assemblies, and load binding.

ASTM A973 / A973M-21: This specification covers Grade 100 heat-treated alloy chain for such applications as slings, lifting assemblies, and load binding.
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[lillmeca]

Grade A, 8, 10, 80 or 100. Sometimes chain comes with a 3:1 safety factor. In Canada we would have to multiply the swl by 3 and decide by 5 to get the proper safety factor and swl. It’s also the hardest of the rigging to properly inspect, because it consists of measuring diameter and stretch for tolerance. Most large work sites have banned hoisting chain. Except for manufacturer supplied assembly chain. ie crane manufacturers.

[Grente]

“Allowing you to catch the mistake”

Yeah nah I ain’t catching shit if it needs to be lifted with chains. 😂