Slings and hitches
Basket hitch WLL (textile, wire rope, chain)
- where
- basket hitch WLL (t)
- mode factor: textile 2.0 (parallel, up to 6°), 1.4 (6–45°), 1.0 (45–60°); wire rope or chain 1.4 (0–45°)
- marked WLL of the sling, straight pull (t)
- utilisation (%)
- load to be lifted (t)
Explain this equation
Gives the rating of one sling passed under the load with both ends on the hook. Use it for cradling pipes, drums or long items where a basket hitch suits.
WLL_1 is the sling's straight-pull rating. M depends on the sling type and the angle of the two parts to the vertical. Textile slings get 2.0 with parallel parts, 1.4 up to 45° and 1.0 up to 60°. Wire rope and chain with both ends on the hook get 1.4 up to 45°. WLL_b is the result, and U is your load as a percentage of it.
Two parts share the load, so with parallel parts the rating could double. As the parts lean out, each one pulls harder for the same lift, so the factor drops in steps.
Sense check: a 2 t webbing sling in a straight basket is good for 4 t, but at 30° only 2.8 t. A 1.5 t wire rope sling in a basket at 20° is good for 2.1 t.
Watch out: a basket hitch doesn't grip the load. Only use it when the load is balanced and can't roll or slide out. Small bend diameters weaken wire rope.
Gives the rating of a single sling passed under the load with both ends on the hook. The two parts share the load, so the rating rises above the straight-pull WLL, less as the parts lean out.
Enter your values to see the result.
Good to know
Textile slings (BS EN 1492-1 and -2): parallel parts (up to about 6° to the vertical) ×2.0, 6–45° ×1.4, 45–60° ×1.0. Wire rope (BS EN 13414-1) and chain (BS EN 818-4) single-leg slings with both ends on the hook: ×1.4 at 0–45°; LEEA does not rate them above 45°. A wire rope sling hooked back to its own master link gets only ×1.0. A basket hitch does not grip the load: it must be balanced and kept from tilting or sliding out.
Common mistake
Using a basket hitch on a load that can roll or tip, or bending wire rope round a small diameter so the capacity is lower than the factor suggests (see the D/d calculator).
Limits
Single sling only, symmetrical parts, load balanced. For wire rope, the rating assumes a reasonable bend diameter; tight bends reduce strength. Multi-leg slings in basket keep the WLL marked for the angle band. For planning only: this does not replace a lift plan prepared by a competent person under LOLER 1998 (reg. 8) and BS 7121, and the manufacturer’s WLL markings, load charts and data always govern over this result.
Sources
- LEEA COPSULE Ed. 10, 16.5.2 Flat woven webbing slings (BS EN 1492-1), mode factors: straight 1, choke 0.8, basket parallel 2, basket 0–45° 1.4, 2-leg 0–45° 1.4, 4-leg 0–45° 2.1
- LEEA COPSULE Ed. 10, 17.5.2 Roundslings (BS EN 1492-2), mode factors: straight 1, choked 0.8, basket parallel 2, basket 0–45° 1.4
- SpanSet, Lifting product guide: basket hitch (load factor 2 for 0–6°, 1.4 for 6–45°, 1 for 45–60°)
- BS EN 1492-1 Textile slings. Safety. Flat woven webbing slings made of man-made fibres for general purpose use
- LEEA COPSULE Ed. 10, 15.5.2 Wire rope slings (BS EN 13414-1), method of use: choke hitch ×0.8, basket hitch with both ends on the hook 0–45° ×1.4, two single slings 0–45° ×1.4
- LEEA COPSULE Ed. 10, 14.5.2 Chain slings (BS EN 818-4), method of use: choke hitch ×0.8 of the marked SWL, basket hitch 0–45°, legs equally disposed
- The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (SI 1998/2307), reg. 8: every lifting operation properly planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised and carried out safely
- HSE L113 Safe use of lifting equipment. Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. Approved Code of Practice and guidance
Results are calculations from the published methods and figures shown, and depend on the data you enter. For planning and checking only. Scaffolds must be erected to NASC TG20 or a bespoke design by competent persons, and lifting operations planned under LOLER by a competent person. Never rely on these results instead of a design, a lift plan or manufacturer ratings.