KITO
Synthetic Sling Fittings
Synthetic sling fittings are the purpose‑designed connection hardware that enables polyester, nylon, and high‑performance fibre round slings and web slings to be attached safely and efficiently to crane hooks, master links, and the load itself. Unlike generic rigging hardware that can crush, abrade, or bunch synthetic fibres—reducing the sling's effective Working Load Limit by up to 50%—dedicated synthetic fittings feature wide bearing surfaces, smooth radii, and geometries specifically engineered to preserve sling efficiency. The Crosby and Gunnebo Industries range includes Sling Saver® shackles, wide‑beam web sling connectors, roundsling hooks (RH series), edge protection systems (KWLG magnetic and non‑magnetic corner guards), and couplers that connect synthetic slings to alloy chain assemblies. Each fitting is designed in compliance with WSTDA‑RS1, EN 1492‑1/2, and ASME B30.9.
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100% Sling WLL Retention
Wide‑beam and Sling Saver® fitting geometries eliminate the fibre bunching and stress concentration that conventional shackle bows and narrow‑profile hooks impose, allowing synthetic slings to achieve their full rated Working Load Limit.
Smooth Bearing Surfaces for Fibre Life Extension
All load‑bearing contact surfaces are radiused, polished, and free of burrs, cuts, or sharp edges, preventing the internal abrasion and cutting damage that is the primary cause of premature synthetic sling condemnation.
Edge Protection for Cut‑Prone Installations
Magnetic‑attach and sleeve‑style corner guards (KWLG series) protect slings at the sharp edges of structural steel, plate, and castings, eliminating the need for improvised padding that shifts or falls off during the lift.
Reduced Sling Slippage and Load Shift
Engineered beam profiles create a self‑centring, stable load distribution that minimises the tendency of synthetic slings to slide or rotate on the fitting during lift‑off and positioning.
Lighter Than Equivalent Steel Fittings
Purpose‑sized synthetic fittings avoid the weight penalty of oversized alloy shackles conventionally used for sling compatibility, reducing assembly mass for manual handling and improving crane net capacity.
Full Compliance with WSTDA‑RS1 and EN Standards
Fittings are designed and tested to meet the minimum stock diameter, effective contact width, and proof‑load requirements of current synthetic sling standards, providing documented compliance for lifting equipment registers.
The Hidden Cost of Using the Wrong Fittings with Synthetic Slings
A synthetic round sling rated for 10 tonnes WLL, when mated to a standard shackle with a narrow bow diameter, may only achieve 5 to 7 tonnes of usable capacity before internal fibre damage begins. This efficiency loss—called "fitting de‑rating"—occurs because the shackle bow compresses the sling fibres into a tight bunch, concentrating stress in the outer yarns while leaving the inner core under‑loaded. The external appearance of the sling may remain unchanged for many lift cycles while the internal load‑bearing core progressively abrades. Crosby Sling Saver® shackles and wide‑beam connectors eliminate this failure mode by providing a bearing surface width and diameter that meets or exceeds the WSTDA‑RS1 recommended minimums, restoring the sling to its full rated efficiency.
Selecting the Right Fitting for Web Slings vs. Round Slings
Flat web slings benefit from wide‑beam connectors that present a flat, broad surface to the sling eye, distributing load across the full webbing width without pinching or folding the edges. Round slings require fittings with a circular cross‑section of sufficient diameter—the "D/d ratio"—to prevent the sling body from being forced into a bend radius tighter than the fibre manufacturer's specification. Gunnebo RH‑series roundsling hooks address both requirements simultaneously, functioning as a connector and hook in a single component that can be inserted directly into the roundsling eye, eliminating the weight and rigging height of an intermediate shackle while providing a self‑locking latch for positive load retention.