Revolutionising Lifting and Rigging with Ultra-Maxx HMPE Slings

The Ultra-Maxx HMPE range of Round Slings are a game changer for the Lifting and Rigging Industry.

Ultra-Maxx HMPE Round Slings made from continuous loops of HMPE fibres encapsulated in a durable, double-layer cover, bring a host of benefits that make them stand out in a crowded field of lifting equipment. Ashley Thacker, Managing Director of leading lifting equipment supplier, Ranger Lifting, explains more about Ultra-Maxx HMPE slings.

HMPE fibres are a powerhouse in the world of materials science. Classified as one of the strongest fibres globally, HMPE is significantly lighter than traditional materials like polyester and wire rope. This unique combination of strength and weight makes HMPE slings a top choice for rigging professionals. The material's inherent strength allows HMPE slings to exhibit 75% less elongation than their polyester counterparts. This reduced stretch enhances manoeuvrability and control, contributing to a safer and more efficient work environment.

“HMPE is not new to the lifting and rigging industry, but this fibre has revolutionised the lifting, rigging, and towing cultures and has made many world record lifts. HMPE round slings have much greater residual strength long into the life of the slings, and when used properly, can outlast other types of slings.

“In my opinion Australian manufacturing of round slings has basically gone, with almost everything now being imported, but there are still plenty of HMPE slings manufactured here. We spent some time examining various manufacturers of HMPE slings around the world before deciding the Ultra-Maxx range of HMPE slings were the best way forward for Ranger Lifting."

“We have tested the Ultra-Maxx product and its performance and quality are just as good as anything you will find locally, the main difference is the cost. Ultra-Maxx HMPE slings are priced competitively which enables us to hold plenty of stock.

We’re going to be stocking up to slings up to 200 tonne, and up to 15 meters long in some sizes. Getting a HMPE sling in that size from a local manufacturer or imported is going to be weeks and companies just don’t have that time to wait. That's why we wanted to be in this market,” said Ashley.

From a weight perspective, the HMPE fibre is 15 times stronger than steel wire rope of the same weight. This highly advanced synthetic fibre allows you to achieve the same WLL with a sling that is about 80% lighter.

This means that it is easy to handle lifting slings made of HMPE, even when compared to standard polyester slings. HMPE slings are about 60% lighter than standard Polyester slings of the same working load limit. In addition, HMPE also has a higher resistance to UV radiation and chemicals and withstands cutting wear better than polyester and other synthetic fibres.

“HMPE slings are four times the price of a round sling, but in the long run they prove to be far more economical. We've got D/d ratios so we know what you can, and can't do, with the various sling weights. We're setting out the specifics which you won’t see from local manufacturers either, typically they don't like providing that information in case something goes wrong. We've completed a lot of testing and we're building our stock on a daily basis,” said Ashley.

WHEN TO CHOOSE ULTRA-MAXX HMPE SLINGS?

These high-performance slings truly shine when lifting heavy loads exceeding 20 tons. The benefits they offer – reduced handling complexity, increased safety, and longer service life – far outweigh the initial investment. Their smaller dimensions compared to polyester slings also enable the reduction of slings in the workspace, leading to potential long-term savings.

As technology and materials science continue to advance, the lifting industry can look forward to even safer, more efficient, and more ergonomic solutions that redefine the way we move heavy loads.