Linton Rigging Gear product line integration has spurred company’s rebranding of the LiftGuard Magnetic Sling Protector series. The devices are one-seventh the weight of steel; prevent damage to slings caused by contact with abrasive load edges, corners, or protrusions; and, keep the sling away from other significant contact points during lifting operations. Medium Duty, Heavy Duty, and Coil Edge protectors have magnets to make placement simple, safe, and efficient.
Medium Duty protectors suit all synthetic web slings, and can be used with wire rope or chain slings when lighter loads or lower frequency use is planned. Heavy Duty versions are specially designed for lifting larger loads with wire rope and chain slings; their additional material thickness allows for better load distribution and long-term durability. Grooved protectors, designed for steel I-beams and coil, are available in both Medium and Heavy Duty models.
The name change from Linton Rigging to LiftGuard reflects the dual sling and load protection benefit, notes DICA CEO Kris Koberg. “All slings, especially synthetic web and round slings, can be damaged during lifting, and loads are susceptible to damage from chain and wire rope slings if they are not properly protected. Edge protection with sling use is critical in preventing sling failure and is an OSHA requirement and ASME standard,” he adds, citing OHSA 29 CFR 1910.184(c)(9) and ANSI B30.9.
When using synthetic web slings, the capacity of Medium and Heavy Duty LiftGuard protectors is calculated at 12,500 psi/1 inch of sling width per protector. When using synthetic round, wire rope or chain slings, LiftGuard product capacities are 12,500 psi of compressive strength per protector. In addition to cut and abrasion protection, LiftGuard devices also provide capacity benefits. The shape of each LiftGuard protector creates a D/d ratio of 5/1 or 5. The high D/d allows operators to utilize 75 percent to 90 percent of sling capacity. Lower D/d ratios severely limit sling capacity utilization and can lead to sling overload. — DICA, Guthrie Center, Iowa, 800/610-3422; www.dicausa.com