Below is a practical, side‑by‑side comparison of major lifting‑sling manufacturers (Crosby, Lift‑All, SpanSet, RUD) and the sling types they offer so you can pick the right product for your application. I focus on product types, strengths/weaknesses, standards & safety features, typical uses, and practical buying considerations.
Summary (at a glance)
- Crosby — Broad global supplier with large synthetic sling and accessory range, strong accessory/connector ecosystem for synthetic slings. Good for industrial customers who need a full system and aftermarket accessories. (thecrosbygroup.com)
- Lift‑All — Large North American manufacturer focused on web slings, roundslings, and made‑in‑USA manufacturing and testing; extensive product families and protective options. Good for US buyers who want domestic manufacture and large product breadth. (lift-all.com)
- SpanSet — Known for textile expertise, U.S. production (for some lines), special protective sleeves and eco/high‑performance textiles (bio‑based, UHMPE sleeves). Good where textile sling innovation or lighter weight/abrasion protection matters. (SpanSet.com)
- RUD — German engineered, broad lifting point, chain and roundsling portfolio; strong for engineered/customized lifting solutions and high‑spec chain slings and lifting points. Good for heavy/high‑spec or engineered lifts. (slingandlashing.RUD.com)
Types of slings each brand emphasizes
- Web/flat slings (polyester/nylon): Lift‑All, SpanSet, Crosby all offer many web sling options; Lift‑All emphasizes Tuff‑Edge and Webbster constructions and provides detailed guidance. (lift-all.com)
- Roundslings (tube jacket roundslings): Lift‑All (Tuflex), SpanSet (Twintex/Magnum), RUD and Crosby offer roundslings of various yarns and jackets — used where low weight and surface protection are desired. (lift-all.com)
- Chain slings / metal slings: RUD has a very large chain/metal component offering and configurators for engineered chain solutions; Crosby also supplies chain and hardware. Best for high temps, abrasion, cutting hazards. (slingandlashing.RUD.com)
- Specialty / engineered slings: RUD and Crosby offer engineered/custom assemblies and lifting‑point systems; Lift‑All offers many specialty slings and accessories for unusual loads. (slingandlashing.RUD.com)
Key strengths and weaknesses (practical)
- Crosby
- Strengths: Global footprint, large accessory ecosystem for synthetic slings (connectors, sling savers), strong brand recognition and parts/support. Useful when you need certified components and compatible accessories. (thecrosbygroup.com)
- Weaknesses: Often positioned as premium; for commodity webbing you may find lower‑cost local manufacturers.
- Lift‑All
- Strengths: Large American manufacturer; broad standard line (web, roundslings, specialty), emphasis on meeting OSHA/ASME/WSTDA and on inspection/retagging support and domestic testing. Good for buyers wanting US manufacturing/support. (lift-all.com)
- Weaknesses: If you need highly specialized engineered lifting points or very heavy chain slings, other specialists may be better.
- SpanSet
- Strengths: Textile innovation (cut‑resistant XCut sleeves, bio‑based roundslings), U.S. production for some lines, good for lightweight/high‑performance textile solutions and protective sleeves. (SpanSet.com)
- Weaknesses: Less emphasis on chain/metal hardware compared with RUD/Crosby.
- RUD
- Strengths: Heavy engineering background, huge range of lifting points, chain slings, configurators and custom engineering — excellent for heavy/complex lifts and for users who need engineered solutions and European high‑spec components. (slingandlashing.RUD.com)
- Weaknesses: Some product lines are Europe‑centric; check local availability and lead times for North America (RUD does have a North America presence). (rudlifting.com)
Standards, certifications and safety features
- All four suppliers publish products meeting major industry standards (OSHA, ASME B30.9, WSTDA for textile slings) and provide rated Working Load Limits (WLL) and ID tags — always verify the sling’s tag and documentation for the exact standard claim. Lift‑All explicitly states compliance with OSHA and ASME B30.9 for their webslings. (lift-all.com)
- RUD emphasizes tested lifting points and configurable, certified lifting systems (manufacturer testing and configurators). (slingandlashing.RUD.com)
- Crosby provides dedicated synthetic sling components and accessories (Sling Saver hardware) to avoid strength loss from improper hardware — an important safety consideration when using synthetic slings. (thecrosbygroup.com)
When to choose each sling material (general guidance)
- Synthetic web or roundsling (polyester/nylon)
- Pros: Lightweight, non‑marring to load, easy to handle, good for finished surfaces, lower cost for many applications.
- Cons: Vulnerable to cutting/abrasion, heat, chemicals (select material accordingly), requires protection (sleeves, edge protection). SpanSet and Lift‑All emphasize protective sleeves and edge‑resistant webbing. (SpanSet.com)
- Chain or wire rope
- Pros: High abrasion/cut/heat resistance, long life in harsh environments.
- Cons: Heavier, can damage finished loads, usually more expensive; RUD and Crosby are strong choices for chain slings. (slingandlashing.RUD.com)
Practical purchasing considerations
- Inspect tags and documentation: confirm WLL, hitch factors (vertical/choker/basket), standards compliance (ASME B30.9, WSTDA or equivalent) and rated temperature/chemical limits. Lift‑All and others publish tag and inspection guidance. (lift-all.com)
- Use the right hardware: synthetic slings can lose capacity if used with wrong connectors — manufacturers like Crosby provide dedicated sling‑friendly hardware and recommend Sling Savers. (thecrosbygroup.com)
- Protection and inspection: if edge contact or abrasion is possible use sleeves (SpanSet XCut, Lift‑All protection options), and follow regular inspection/retagging procedures. (SpanSet.com)
- Lead time & locality: Lift‑All and SpanSet advertise U.S. manufacturing (helpful for fast delivery and domestic support); RUD and Crosby have broad global networks but check local stock/lead times for specialized assemblies. (lift-all.com)
- Cost: Textile slings generally cost less initially and are lighter to handle; chain slings cost more but last longer in harsh conditions. Prices vary widely by WLL, length, and fittings — request quotes from distributors.
Five quick scenarios and brand picks
- You need standard web and roundslings with strong local support and US‑made options: Lift‑All or SpanSet. (lift-all.com)
- You need engineered chain slings or complex lifting points for heavy equipment: RUD (or Crosby for chain hardware). (slingandlashing.RUD.com)
- You want a broad accessory ecosystem (connectors, sling savers) to pair with synthetic slings: Crosby. (thecrosbygroup.com)
- You need textile innovation (cut protection, eco‑friendly fibers) and advanced protective sleeves: SpanSet. (SpanSet.com)
- You need domestic testing, proof‑testing, and a wide catalog of specialty slings (e.g., pipe, drum, hydant slings): Lift‑All. (lift-all.com)
Safety reminder (must‑do)
- Always use a sling whose WLL and hitch factor match the lift conditions, inspect slings before each lift, protect synthetic slings from sharp edges or heat, and follow the sling manufacturer’s inspection, retirement and repair/retagging guidance. Manufacturer product pages include explicit inspection and care notes — follow them. (lift-all.com)
If you want, I can:
- Compare specific sling models (e.g., Lift‑All Tuff‑Edge II 2" x 20' vs SpanSet Twintex 2" x 20' vs Crosby synthetic roundslings) — I’ll pull the exact WLL, construction, and price quotes.
- Provide a short checklist for selecting and inspecting slings tailored to your industry (construction, rigging, marine, etc.).
Which would you like next — a model‑level comparison with WLL and prices, or a printable inspection/selection checklist?