Choosing the correct type of rigging for a project is a fundamental decision. With most industries utilising the practice somehow, it’s essential to understand the advantages, disadvantages, and differences. This not only leads to a better understanding but also helps avoid costly delays through improper selection.
At King Site Services, we’ve been helping companies select the most appropriate rigging services for their needs. As such, we’ve distilled our knowledge into this easy-to-follow guide.
Here, we’ll dive deep into the four main types of rigging used throughout engineering projects, exploring what makes them different and ultimately helping you decide which is best suited for your project.
How Many Types of Rigging Are There?
Depending on the needs of the project, a different type of rigging will be used.
Several types of rigging methods could be used depending on the needs of your project. Of which, we’ve broken them down into the following categories:
Lifting
When people think of rigging in a traditional sense, the most common type in mind will revolve around lifting. Often used throughout industrial industries and settings, lifting rigging will see heavy machinery hoisted high for repositioning.
Structural
Structural rigging follows a similar process to lifting, but rather than equipment, structural rigging focuses on loads from structures like buildings.
Crane and Hoist
Rather than being categorised as a type of rigging, crane and hoist rigging refers to any type of rigging process that utilises an industrial crane or hoist.
Specialised
Specialised rigging practices may be followed in more complicated scenarios, such as extreme weight lifting or in tightly constrained locations. This broadly covers using more advanced equipment, such as hydraulic lifts.
Types of Rigging Equipment
Pulleys are an engineering feat and have been in use for centuries. The earliest evidence of a pulley system dates back to 1500 CE.
Rigging involves a range of equipment for it to be done successfully, which we’ll cover below:
Ropes
Rope rigging has been used for many years due to its simplicity. As its name suggests, it involves using high-strength ropes to hoist various loads.
As an extension of traditional rope rigging, wire rope rigging follows the same basic principle of rope rigging, but with the use of multiple strands of intertwined steel.
Chains
Chain rigging follows the use of heavy-duty metal chains. Chains are often needed in extreme loads due to their high-tensile strength and subtle weather resistance.
Synthetic Materials
Synthetic rigging uses synthetic materials like nylon as an alternative to traditional rope and wire rope rigging. Synthetic equipment is favoured for its light weight and natural resistance to extreme environmental conditions, especially when compared to some natural materials.
Pulleys
A pulley is a sub-component of a rigging system, which uses belts and a motor to control the hoist.
Hoists
A hoist is used to raise and lower equipment. Hoists can be controlled manually to achieve the precise height needed.
Hooks/Hitches
An attachment method is needed to grab the target in some rigging applications. This is often handled with a hook that then loops through a bolt.
How to Choose the Right Type of Rigging
Cranes are a common sight across many rigging projects. They will often be used to handle heavy-duty objects and can be operated manually.
Having covered rigging types and methods, now comes the time to answer that all-important question: how do you choose the right approach?
Determine the Load
One of the most important decisions to make before undertaking any rigging project is to figure out the sheer weight that needs to be supported. Depending on this, certain types of rigging can be eliminated. For extreme loads, for example, traditional rope rigging may not cut it. As such, you should explore a more heavy-duty method, like chain rigging.
Assess the Environment
Environmental conditions can have a drastic impact on your rigging needs. High-moisture environments, for example, can negate the use of anything metal due to fears of corrosion. This also covers the unique characteristics of the site itself. If the ground is uneven, load calculations can be thrown off substantially.
Consider the Spatial Restrictions
Physical restrictions can play a significant role in determining which type of rigging equipment and method is used. Wide open spaces grant more possibilities than smaller ones, meaning more substantial technology can be used. Smaller spaces, on the other hand, can lead to more innovative solutions needing to be sought out.
Consult the Experts
Calculations and estimations such as these can only get you so far. To truly get the best answer for your needs, the best thing to do is speak to a qualified expert, like us. Only they can provide the detailed insight needed to make the best decision for your project.
Your Professional Rigging Partner
King Site Services is your dependable, experienced provider of on-site engineering services.
With rigging in particular, there are so many circumstances to consider. As such, it’s crucial to choose a trustworthy partner like ourselves. Since 1985, we’ve been helping companies across the UK with their rigging needs, handling the whole process from load calculations to the provision of equipment.
To get your next project underway, contact us today. You can call us on 01639 884 669 or email enquiries@kingsiteservices.com.
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