Types of Slings and their use for various cargoes:

Endless Slings: Splicing the ends of a piece of wire or fiber rope makes an
endless sling. It is simple to handle and can be used in several different ways to
lift loads. The endless sling is most commonly used as a choker hitch. When the
endless sling is used as a choker, personnel pass it around the cargo forming a
loop on top of the cargo.

The other end is passed through this loop, pulled tight and attached to the
cargo hook. To balance the load, personnel spread apart the two parts of the
sling on the bottom of the cargo.

1) The endless sling is also used with running hooks. It may be used as a basket
sling or a vertical sling.

(2) Personnel should not use endless slings to lift bagged cargo such as sugar,
flour, and cement. These types of items require canvas slings.

Single Slings: A single sling is made of fiber or wire rope. Each end of the single
sling is made up with an eye, a hook, a ring, or a thimble, depending on the
intended use of the sling. A single sling may be used as a vertical sling, a basket
sling, or a choker sling with a choker hitch Single slings made of fiber rope are
used for light loads and for cargo that might be damaged by wire slings.
Slings made of wire rope have a variety of uses. They are made in lengths
ranging from 5 to 150 feet or longer for special cargo. Running hook wire rope
slings may be used to hoist drafts of lumber, dunnage, iron pipe, building steel,
strong boxes, and large cases. Each running hook sling is made with 18-inch
eyes at each end. Personnel use the sling by wrapping it around the draft,
attaching one eye to the sliding hook, and putting the other eye on the cargo
hook.

Combination Slings: Combination slings combine two or four single slings to

form a bridle, basket, or choker sling. Combination slings can lift virtually any
type of load. When several slings are passed under large crates or boxes to
form a basket sling, cargo handlers should use spreader bars to prevent
crushing.
Chain Slings: These slings are used mainly for handling steel rails, pipes, beams,
and angles. Chain slings are used in bridles or single legs (Figure 4-6). Cargo
handlers should use dunnage between the chain and the draft to prevent
slipping. If necessary, dunnage also should be used between individual pieces
in the draft. When hoisting cargo of this type, cargo handlers should make a
round turn (complete) with the chain around the draft.

Cargo handlers also use chain choker slings Chain choker slings are used to
handle such cargo as steel rails, pipes, and steel beams. Cargo handlers place
dunnage in such a way to give the sling a better grip. The sling's links are
wrought iron; this iron will stretch before it breaks, thus giving warning. Other
types of iron may simply crystallize and snap. Watch for warning signs such as
stretching links, fracturing, and stretching hooks.

Canvas Slings: A canvas sling is a rope sling with a section of canvas sewn
between the ropes. The main type of canvas sling in use is the dirt sling. In
commercial practice, canvas slings similar to dirt slings are used for handling
cargo such as nitrate.
SPECIAL-PURPOSE GEAR: Special-purpose gear is made for use with certain
types of cargo. It includes-

Pie-Plates. The crushing effect of a cargo net may be reduced by using a round
"pie plate" (Figure 4-9).
Pie plates are constructed of two dunnage layers. They vary from 54 to 72
inches in diameter.
Personnel place the pie plate in the center of the net and tack the cargo so that
all the weight is on the pie plate.
If pie plates or pallets are not available, cargo handlers use cargo boards to
reduce the crushing pressure of the cargo net.

Cargo boards are constructed of two layers of dunnage nailed together to make
a solid board measuring 4 by 6 feet.

The cargo board is placed in the center of the net and is used in the same way
as a pie plate.

Cargo Nets: Cargo nets are usually made of manila rope, but nets of wire rope
are used for special cargoes.
The standard Army cargo net is 14 by 14 feet with a 7 7/8-inch square mesh.
The square meshes are made of 2 1/2-inch circumference manila rope.
The line around the circumference of the net is made of 3-inch circumference
manila rope.
Cargo nets are used to handle loose packages that are not all the same size.

The package must be strong enough to withstand pressure.

When making up a draft in a cargo net, cargo handlers should stack the cargo
so that the crushing effect of the net is kept to a minimum.

Pallets: The four basic types of pallets used in military cargo handling are the
stevedore, general-purpose, sled, and warehouse pallets.

A stevedore pallet, which is reversible, is used to handle loose cargo at water

terminals. The standard stevedore pallet is 4 feet wide, 6 feet long and 8 inches
high. The stringers are made of 3- or 4- by 4-inch lumber.

The deck boards are made of lumber 2 inches thick. The outside boards may be
random widths. The outside stringers are set in 4 to 6 inches from the ends so
that a pallet bridle may be inserted. The inside stringers are arranged to permit
easy entrance of forks for movement by forklift trucks.

A general-purpose pallet is a four-way-entry wood pallet, 48 inches long, 40

inches wide, and approximately 5 1/2 inches high. This pallet is used mainly for
the shipment of palletized cargo and often accompanies the cargo from shipper
to consignee.

When items of cargo are palletized, the tiers are laid so that one tier ties
together with another to give stability to the unitized load and to keep the
cargo from falling off the pallet while it is being moved. Cargo handlers can
obtain greater use of the pallet area by building the load in a definite pattern
whenever possible.
Spreaders: A spreader is any device used to keep the side pressure of the sling
legs away from the load being hoisted. Some commonly used spreaders
include-
 Vehicle spreaders with wheel nets.

A vehicle spreader is made of lengths of hardwood, pipe, or steel beams. It

permits a straight pull on the sling and wheel nets. This keeps pressure away
from the sides of the vehicle to be hoisted. 
(a) Wheel nets are used for hoisting sedans and other light vehicles. The wheel
nets included in the cargo set vehicle are 8 by 3 feet, with 6-inch mesh. Manila
rope that is 3 inches in circumference is used in the net with the exception of
the frame which uses 3 3/4-inch manila rope.
b) When using the sling and wheel net, the winch operator lowers the cargo
hook until the wheel nets are on the ground. The nets are spread out in this
position so there is enough clearance between the top of the cargo net and the
bottom of the vehicle spreader to allow the vehicle to enter. 
(c) The vehicle is pushed until its wheels are in the net. Cargo handlers may
also use other types of slings to load vehicles. For example, a four-legged bridle
can be used if the vehicle has been fitted with lifting eyes.
Pallet bridle spreaders keep pressure away from the sides of the draft. The
straight types are made of steel or hardwood.
Pallet bridles are used for quick, efficient handling of palletized cargo. Cargo
handlers should insert the lifting bars at the bottom of the nets into the ends of
the pallet to use the bridle. Then they should spread the sling nets around the
cargo as far as they will reach and slip the eyes over the cargo hook. The bars at
the top serve as spreaders.
Plate-Handling Clamps: Plate-handling clamps are designed exclusively for
handling steel plates. They are used to lift the plates into position to be
properly slung with wire rope slings. They are safe for use only when the steel
plate is not lifted to a great height.

They are not used to hoist steel plates into or out of a hold. If the plates hit the
coaming or the side of the hatch, it will release the tension and the clamps will
drop the plates. The two most common types used in military cargo handling
have serrated jaws and a 5-ton capacity