Posted by Advantage Rigging on 30th Oct 2026
4-Leg Chain Slings: How They Work, Capacity and How to Choose
What is a 4-leg chain sling?
A 4-leg (quad leg) chain sling has four legs of alloy chain hanging from one master link assembly, with a hook or other fitting on the end of each leg. It is the sling to use when a load has four lifting points, such as a skid, a machine base, a box, a tank or a precast panel, because it holds the load level and steady.
How much can a 4-leg chain sling lift?
A quad-leg sling is rated the same as a triple-leg sling of the same chain size and grade, not four times a single leg. On a real load the four legs almost never share the weight evenly: one pair usually carries most of it. ASME B30.9 ratings, and the tag on every Advantage Rigging quad sling, reflect that.
The rating also depends on the sling angle, measured from horizontal. Here are the working load limits for the quad-leg slings in our store:
| Grade | Chain size | 60° | 45° | 30° |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 80 | 9/32" | 9,100 | 7,400 | 5,200 |
| Grade 80 | 5/16" | 11,700 | 9,500 | 6,800 |
| Grade 80 | 3/8" | 18,400 | 15,100 | 10,600 |
| Grade 80 | 1/2" | 31,200 | 25,500 | 18,000 |
| Grade 80 | 5/8" | 47,000 | 38,400 | 27,100 |
| Grade 100 | 9/32" | 11,200 | 9,100 | 6,400 |
| Grade 100 | 5/16" | 14,800 | 12,100 | 8,500 |
| Grade 100 | 3/8" | 22,900 | 18,700 | 13,200 |
| Grade 100 | 1/2" | 39,000 | 31,800 | 22,500 |
| Grade 100 | 5/8" | 58,700 | 47,900 | 33,900 |
Example: a 1/2" Grade 100 quad sling is rated 39,000 lb at 60°, 31,800 lb at 45° and 22,500 lb at 30°. Always follow the WLL on your sling's tag.
How to choose a 4-leg chain sling
- Weight and angle: pick the chain size and grade whose WLL at your sling angle is more than the load. Flatter angles need a bigger sling.
- Reach: measure from the bearing point of the master link to the bearing point of the hook. Longer legs give a steeper angle and more capacity on a wide load. See Measuring Chain Slings.
- Grade 80 or Grade 100: Grade 100 is rated about 25% higher for the same chain size, so the sling is lighter to handle.
- Hooks: sling hooks with latches for general lifting, positive locking or swivel positive locking hooks when the load must not come off the hook, grab hooks for choking, foundry hooks for quick hook-ups.
- Adjusters: grab-hook adjusters let you shorten individual legs to level a load whose center of gravity is off center.
Using a quad sling safely
- Find the load's center of gravity and keep the hook directly above it.
- Seat every hook fully in its lifting point, with the latch closed.
- Don't use a leg that's twisted, knotted or kinked, and don't tip-load hooks.
- Inspect before each use, and have a competent person do a full inspection at least every 12 months. Advantage Rigging offers sling inspection and proof testing.
Shop 4-leg chain slings in Grade 80 and Grade 100, or call 480-502-2225 for a custom length or fitting.