Working with heavy equipment in untamed terrain means there’s always the danger that a machine will become stuck. Whether it gets bogged down in thick mud or slides down into a ditch, sometimes a piece of construction machinery, truck or another type of heavy-duty machinery can’t be driven out of its own accord. When that happens, it’s necessary to have a recovery sling that can help get the job done. Recovery slings are used to pull a stuck machine to safety using another piece of equipment. Although you might think this is no different from using a chain or tow strap, the truth is having the right type of sling is extremely important.
For instance, recovery rope slings are designed to be flexible and stretch a certain amount. This means they’re more effective at pulling a vehicle out of a tight situation than tow straps, which may snap under too much stress. Unlike a chain, a recovery strap is made from soft, light materials that won’t scratch or damage the vehicles. Ashley Sling Offers several of these recovery slings made from durable-yet-flexible synthetic fibers. Using these for vehicle recovery gives you the best chance of recovering a stuck vehicle quickly and easily without risking damage to your valuable equipment.
Selecting the Right Recovery Sling
Before attempting any recovery operation on your job site, it’s critical to have the right recovery strap for the task at hand. The products will have a Working Load Limit (WLL) to tell you roughly how much force the strap can take before failing. In general, the rule of thumb is to choose a recovery strap with a WLL equal to or higher than the weight of the stuck vehicle multiplied by four.
Another important consideration is whether the recovery sling you choose will be compatible with the vehicle you use for the recovery process. Some feature hooks while others have grommets, so you need to think about how you’ll secure it to the equipment doing the pulling. You also should check to make sure the products you consider meet OSHA and industry standards for safety. Some recovery slings also offer maximum protection against certain environmental conditions such as chemical resistance and anti-abrasion materials. These may be important to have, depending on what you’re doing and where.
Proper Use and Maintenance of Recovery Slings
Despite their simple appearance, recovery slings require care and precautions to use them as safely and effectively as possible. For instance, slings that appear to be frayed or worn should be discarded, due to the risk of breakage. This includes slings that appear faded by the sun, as excessive UV exposure can weaken the materials and make them more likely to snap under stress. Your sling should be inspected by a qualified employee before use to ensure their integrity and safety.
A recovery sling is a critical piece of equipment for vehicle recovery on the job site. Ashley Sling has a wide selection of these recovery tools for virtually all heavy duty applications. For additional information about all the slings we have to offer, browse through the product listings on this page or reach out to speak with a member of our team today.
Warnings & Additional Information:
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