Press Grip Mechanically Spliced Slings
Press Grip slings are wire rope sling assemblies fabricated using a mechanical pressing process to form the eye. A metal sleeve is pressed onto the wire rope to create a secure, permanent connection — producing a strong, economical assembly with consistent performance. Mechanical splicing allows for faster fabrication than hand methods, making Press Grip slings an efficient choice when slings need to be built and delivered on a tight schedule. The pressed fitting provides a clean, compact termination that works well in applications with limited rigging clearance. Available in single-leg, multi-leg bridle, and choker configurations.
Hand-Spliced Slings
Hand-Spliced slings represent the traditional craft of wire rope sling fabrication. The eye is formed by tucking the individual wire rope strands back into the body of the rope by hand — a technique sometimes called the "Old Navy Splice." This method produces an extremely strong and smooth termination that maintains a high percentage of the wire rope's rated breaking strength. The flexible eye conforms naturally to hooks, pins, and other connection hardware — preferred in applications where the sling eye must wrap around smaller diameter pins or hooks. Amick has maintained hand-splicing expertise at the Pittsburgh facility since 1958.
Hand-Braided Multi-Part Slings
Hand-Braided slings are fabricated by braiding multiple parts of wire rope together by hand, producing a sling body significantly more flexible than a single-part wire rope sling. The braided construction distributes the load across multiple rope paths, resulting in excellent strength and a sling that conforms readily to the shape of the load. The enhanced flexibility makes hand-braided slings easier to rig and position — particularly on irregularly shaped loads or in tight-clearance applications. Braided slings also grip the load more securely in a choker hitch due to their pliable construction. A premium sling option when the strength of wire rope is needed with greater flexibility than a single-part sling provides.
U-Flex 4 Slings
U-Flex 4 slings are multi-part wire rope slings that combine the strength of wire rope with enhanced flexibility compared to standard single-part slings. The multi-part construction distributes the load across multiple rope paths, providing a sling that is easier to handle, conforms better to the load, and delivers reliable performance across a wide range of lifting applications. Well suited for vertical, choker, and basket hitches — particularly when rigging irregularly shaped loads, working in tight clearances, or using smaller diameter hooks and pins.
Grommet Slings — Strand Laid and Rope Laid
Grommet slings are endless wire rope slings formed into a continuous loop — with no splices, fittings, or terminations in the load path. This seamless construction provides maximum strength efficiency because the load is distributed across the full circumference, with no strength reduction from a splice or pressed fitting. Amick fabricates two types: Strand Laid Grommets, made from a single strand of wire rope wound into a loop, and Rope Laid Grommets, made from a full wire rope wound into a loop. Primarily used in basket hitch configurations for specialized heavy lifting where the load shape, weight, or rigging geometry demands the unique properties of an endless wire rope loop.
Built in Pittsburgh, Inspected to Standard
Every wire rope sling Amick manufactures is built with a 5:1 design factor at the Pittsburgh facility. Like all lifting slings, wire rope slings require regular inspection per OSHA 1910.184 and ASME B30.9. Removal-from-service criteria include broken wires exceeding allowable limits, kinking, crushing, birdcaging, corrosion, and end fitting damage. Edge protection or wear pads should always be used when lifting loads with sharp edges to prevent damage to the rope.
To discuss which wire rope sling fits your application, contact Amick at 412-429-1212 or visit our lifting slings page.