Lifting and rigging chain has been one of the most popular rigging products on the market for many years, mainly due to its strength, durability, and ease of use. All our alloy steel rigging and lifting chain is heat treated to offer industry leading load capacity and durability. Some steel rigging chains are approved for overhead lifting, while others are not, so it is important to always know what type of lifting chain your specific rigging application requires. There are 3 major grades of alloy steel chain that are approved for overhead lifting:

1. Grade 80 Alloy Steel Chain
2. Grade 100 Alloy Steel Chain
3. Grade 120 Alloy Steel Chain

These special grades of alloy steel chain are ideal for overhead lifting due to their high strength and abrasion resistance, as well as their ability to stretch up to 20% before breaking when subjected to overloading. It is important to note however, that any amount of stretch during a lift is unacceptable. This is an essential safety feature that differentiates alloy steel chain approved for use in lifting slings from, for example, the type of steel chain you would find in a hoist.

Here at Tri-State Rigging equipment we specialize in fabricating lifting slings and assemblies using overhead lifting approved chain, but we can also provide you with bulk alloy steel rigging chain.

In addition to g80, g100, and g120 alloy steel rigging chain we also offer grade 70 transport chain, commonly used in the trucking and transportation industry. We can provide you with any rigging product on the market, so if you cannot find what you are looking for, or if you don’t know exactly what you need, call or email our sales team to speak with a rigging product specialist.

Grade 80 Lifting Chain

Grade 80 rigging chain, commonly referred to as grade 8, grade 800, g80, or g800 rigging chain, is the first grade of chain approved for overhead lifting and for use in lifting slings. G80 alloy steel chain is heat-treated to give it the proper amount of strength to perform overhead lifts. This also gives grade 80 alloy lifting chain superb abrasion resistance. G80 chain has dominated the lifting and rigging industry in the past and can be used for any rigging application requiring chain grades of 30-80. Additionally, grade 80 lifting chain can be used in environments with temperatures up to 400° F with no reduction in working load limit and in environments with temperatures up to 1000° F with a reduction in working load limit both during and after the lift. To identify grade 80 sling and lifting chain, look for an 8, 80, or 800 embossed on the chain.

Grade 100 Lifting Chain

Grade 100 lifting chain is very similar to grade 80 alloy steel chain, but it has a 25% higher working load limit than the same size of g80 alloy steel chain. This allows riggers to use lifting chain more ergonomically, using a smaller sized chain at the same working load limit. Just like g80 lifting chain, g100 lifting chain is used mainly as a component in lifting slings but can also be used in any application that requires grade 30-100 alloy steel chain. The use of grade 100 rigging chain has gained a lot of popularity recently. Riggers like using g100 rigging chain because of its industry leading strength and abrasion resistance. Additionally, grade 100 lifting chain can be used in environments with temperatures up to 400° F with no reduction in working load limit and in environments with temperatures up to 1000° F with a reduction in working load limit both during and after the lift. To identify grade 100 sling and lifting chain, look for a 10, 100, or 1000 embossed on the chain.

Grade 120 Lifting Chain

Grade 120 alloy steel lifting chain is the newest innovation in rigging and lifting chain. With 20% higher strength than grade 100 and 50% higher strength than grade 80, grade 120 lifting chain is the strongest chain available in the lifting and rigging industry. G120 lifting and rigging chain is seen as a specialty grade of alloy steel chain by most in the rigging industry, but its popularity is on the rise. Grade 120 lifting chain is perfect for rigging applications in rugged environments where the size and weight of the chain is a concern. Using g120 rigging chain allows riggers to use a smaller chain size for their application without sacrificing the working load limit. To identify grade 120 alloy steel lifting chain, look for a 12, 120, or 1200 embossed on the chain.

Grade 70 Transportation Chain

Grade 70 chain, commonly referred to as transport chain or trucker’s chain is constructed using heat-treated carbon steel. G70 chain is the rigging chain of choice in the trucking and transportation industry and is used as tie-downs on over-the-road trailers. Grade 70 steel rigging chain is not approved for overhead lifting and is never to be used for such. This special grade of chain meets all requirements set by the California Highway Patrol and Department of Transportation. In addition to transportation and trucking applications, g70 transport chain can be used in towing, logging, oil rigs, and safety chain applications. Grade 70 steel rigging chain has a gold chromate finish. This not only adds much needed corrosion resistance to handle the rigors of highway use, but it also makes it easy to identify and double check you are using the right steel rigging chain for your specific rigging application.

Lifting and Rigging Chain Best Practices

No matter what type of chain you decide to use, the chain, as well as the rigger must follow the standards put forth by the National Association of Chain Manufacturers (NACM):

• Loads that are lifted with chain are never to be transported or suspended over people.
• All chains are to be periodically inspected for:
  • Cracks
  • Gouges
  • Wear
  • Stretch
  • Nicks
  • Suitability
• A reduction of alloy steel chain performance can occur when exposed to excessive temperatures or chemically active environments including acids, and corrosive liquids or fumes.
• Before using rigging and lifting chain outside the recommended temperature range, always contact the chain’s manufacturer to properly reduce the working load limit.
• All chain is to be removed from service if the thickness on any part of the chain falls below the listed minimum value.
• All alloy chain assemblies are to be rated at the working load limit of the weakest component.

Tri-State Rigging Equipment is a service provider and distributor for all rigging and lifting steel chain, including, grade 70, grade 80, grade 100, and grade 120, serving clients from coast to coast, Canada, Mexico, and especially focused in the states of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, Florida, and Oklahoma.