Overhead crane work does not forgive a guess on chain grade — the wrong sling under the wrong load is how a shop ends up with a dropped engine block or a bent frame rail. This guide breaks down where Grade 120 (G120) fits in the alloy chain hierarchy, what TruckNTow actually stocks for overhead lifting today, and which grade to buy for the job in front of you.
- G120 alloy is the highest of the four common chain grades and outrates G100 chain at the same diameter for overhead crane lifts.
- VULCAN's 9/32-inch Grade 80 double-leg lifting sling ($491.99, 20 feet) is the Buy pick for standard shop overhead lifts in 2026.
- VULCAN's 1/2-inch Hammerlock Grade 100 connecting link (15,000-lb SWL, $29.99) is the Buy pick for joining chain segments on certified rigs.
- True G120 lifting slings for crane work need a certified overhead-rigging manufacturer — Wait and source that piece separately.
- Grade 70 chain, including TruckNTow's tie-down line, is a flat Skip for anything going under a crane hook.
Why this matters
Overhead lifting hardware gets certified against a completely different standard than tie-down hardware, and mixing the two is the most common mistake shops make when a wrecker bay doubles as a light fab shop. Chain and sling grade — G70, G80, G100, G120 — determines the rated working load at a given diameter, and a piece that is perfectly legal for a flatbed tie-down job can be flat-out non-compliant under a crane hook.
TruckNTow's rigging hardware ties directly into this: the master rings for recovery rigging used on wrecker jobs share the same grade-matching logic that overhead lifting requires. Get the grade wrong on either job and the failure mode is the same — a connector point that lets go under load.
G120 alloy sits at the top of the four widely recognized grades used in rigging and lifting hardware. It carries a higher rated working load than Grade 100 chain of the same diameter, which is why crane operators reach for it on the heaviest overhead lifts. TruckNTow's current rigging shelf runs Grade 80 lifting slings and Grade 100 connecting hardware in 2026 — solid for the large majority of shop-floor and yard lifts, but not a substitute for certified G120 when a load chart calls for it specifically.
How we ranked
Each grade tier below is ranked against OSHA's general overhead-lifting requirements and the ASME B30.9 slings standard, cross-checked against the safe working load (SWL) figures and certification details printed on each product's tag. A sling or connecting link only earns a Buy verdict here if it ships individually serialized with a certificate of test — the paperwork that lets an inspector confirm the rated capacity without guessing. Grades that don't carry overhead-lift certification, like standard transport chain, get ranked out regardless of price or availability.
Grade by grade: ranked picks for overhead crane rigging
1. Grade 70 (G70) — the transport-only tier. VULCAN's Grade 70 safety binder chain runs 3/8-inch by 10 feet at a 6,600-lb safe working load, built for tie-down and load securement duty on flatbeds and trailers. It is not certified for overhead lifting under ASME B30.9, so it has no business going under a crane hook no matter how new the chain looks. Check the Grade 70 transport chains guide before assuming any tie-down chain doubles as lifting chain. Skip for overhead crane work in 2026.
2. Grade 80 (G80) — the OSHA-rated shop workhorse. VULCAN's 9/32-inch double-leg mechanical lifting sling runs 20 feet, ships individually serialized with a certificate of test, and lists at $491.99. It meets OSHA's overhead lifting standard and covers the bulk of shop-floor and yard lifts that don't require G100 or G120 capacity. Buy for standard overhead lifts that fall inside the Grade 80 load chart.
3. Grade 100 (G100) — the connector for mixed-grade rigging. The VULCAN Hammerlock mechanical connecting link comes in 3/8-inch (8,800-lb SWL, $28.99 for a 2-pack) and 1/2-inch (15,000-lb SWL, $29.99 for a 2-pack) sizes, and it ties chain segments to hooks, master rings, or other chain without stepping down capacity. It meets DOT tie-down and OSHA overhead lifting requirements in the same part. Buy for any rig that needs a certified Grade 100 connection point.
4. Grade 120 (G120) — the top-tier lift for the heaviest jobs. G120 alloy is rated for a higher working load than Grade 100 chain at the same diameter, which is why crane operators spec it on the heaviest overhead lifts. TruckNTow does not stock a dedicated G120 sling line in 2026 — source it from a certified overhead-rigging manufacturer that individually load-tests and stamps each piece. Wait and buy G120 from a specialty rigging house; use the Grade 80 and Grade 100 line here for everything under that threshold.
5. V-bridle style chain rigging — the crossover pick. Shops running V-bridle setups on recovery trucks can adapt the same Grade 80 and Grade 100 hardware for occasional overhead lifts, provided the tag's safe working load actually covers the intended lift. This only works as a stopgap, not a standing practice. Consider it for dual-purpose rigs that split time between recovery and light overhead work.
“If the tag on the sling doesn't list a grade and a safe working load, it doesn't belong under an overhead crane.”
Grade comparison table
| Grade | Typical use | SWL example (2026 catalog) | Verdict for overhead crane |
|---|---|---|---|
| G70 | Tie-down / transport | 6,600 lbs (3/8-inch) | Skip |
| G80 | Shop and yard overhead lifting | Sling-specific, per tag | Buy |
| G100 | Connectors and mixed rigging | 8,800-15,000 lbs (Hammerlock) | Buy |
| G120 | Heaviest overhead lifts | Highest of the four grades | Wait, source specialty |
Where to buy G120-grade rigging hardware
- Buy any overhead lifting sling only from a supplier that ships it individually serialized with a certificate of test — that paperwork is what lets a compliance inspection pass in 2026 and beyond.
- For Grade 80 and Grade 100 rigging hardware, TruckNTow ships free ground shipping out of its Detroit, MI warehouse on everything in the line, a company that has served trucking professionals since 1959.
- For actual G120 lifting slings, go to a certified overhead-rigging manufacturer that load-tests and stamps each piece individually — don't substitute an unrated aftermarket chain just because the diameter matches.
FAQ
What's the best G120 lifting sling for overhead crane work in 2026?
There isn't a single best off-the-shelf pick because G120 slings require a certified overhead-rigging manufacturer that individually load-tests and stamps each piece. TruckNTow's current rigging line covers Grade 80 slings and Grade 100 connecting hardware for lifts under that threshold.
Is Grade 120 chain stronger than Grade 100?
Yes, Grade 120 alloy carries a higher rated working load than Grade 100 chain at the same diameter. That's why crane operators reach for G120 specifically on the heaviest overhead lifts.
How much does a Grade 80 lifting sling cost?
Grade 80 mechanical lifting slings range from roughly $165 to $550 depending on leg configuration, diameter, and length in the 2026 catalog. Double-leg slings run higher than single-leg slings at the same length.
Can I use a tie-down chain for overhead crane lifting?
No, standard Grade 70 tie-down chain is not certified for overhead lifting under ASME B30.9. It's rated for transport and load securement only, not for going under a crane hook.
What certification should a lifting sling have?
A compliant lifting sling ships individually serialized with a certificate of test and a legible tag listing grade and safe working load. Without that tag, the sling is not usable on an OSHA-covered overhead lift.
What's the difference between a single-leg and double-leg lifting sling?
A single-leg sling runs one chain from hook to load point, while a double-leg sling splits the load across two legs from a common master link. Double-leg configurations generally carry a higher combined rated capacity for the same chain diameter.
How much does a Grade 100 Hammerlock connecting link cost?
The VULCAN Hammerlock G100 connecting link runs $28.99 for the 3/8-inch 2-pack and $29.99 for the 1/2-inch 2-pack in 2026. Both sizes meet DOT tie-down and OSHA overhead lifting requirements.
Does TruckNTow ship lifting slings for free?
Yes, TruckNTow ships free ground on everything in its catalog, including the Grade 80 sling and Grade 100 connecting hardware lines. The offer applies at checkout with no minimum called out separately.
One last thing
A lifting sling with a worn-off tag is legally the same as a sling with no tag at all — no grade means no certified capacity, and that's true whether it's a $165 single-leg sling or a $550 double-leg rig. TruckNTow has moved chain, straps, and rigging hardware out of Detroit since 1959, and the one habit that hasn't changed since is checking the tag before the load goes up, not after.