6 Best Lifting Straps For Moving Non-Magnetic Materials
Safely transport heavy, non-magnetic loads with our expert guide. Compare the 6 best lifting straps to boost your efficiency and shop our top recommendations now.
Moving non-magnetic materials like lumber, bundles of shingles, or PVC piping requires lifting solutions that prioritize friction and structural integrity over magnetic attraction. Lifting straps are the industry standard for these tasks, offering a lightweight alternative to chains that won’t mar delicate surfaces or scratch protective coatings. Choosing the wrong strap can lead to load shifting, damaged materials, or compromised job site safety. Selecting the right tool ensures that heavy, awkward, or non-ferrous loads reach the roof deck or staging area securely.
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US Cargo Control Nylon Sling: Best All-Rounder
The standard nylon web sling serves as the workhorse for most roofing and framing crews. Its flexibility allows it to conform to irregular shapes, such as a stack of ridge caps or bundles of asphalt shingles, without biting into the edges.
These slings are prized for their versatility and high strength-to-weight ratio. When dealing with general site debris or moving bundled cedar shakes, the nylon material offers enough “give” to cushion the load during the initial lift.
However, nylon is susceptible to UV degradation and moisture absorption if left out on a roof deck for extended periods. Always store these indoors to maintain their integrity and prevent the fibers from becoming brittle.
Vulcan Eye & Eye Sling: Heavy-Duty Pro’s Choice
When the load involves structural timber or heavy crates of supplies that exceed standard capacity, the Vulcan Eye & Eye sling provides a more robust solution. The reinforced loops at the ends—the “eyes”—are designed to handle the mechanical stress of crane hooks or spreader bars.
These slings excel in vertical or choker hitches, providing a secure grip on smooth, non-magnetic surfaces. The thicker webbing provides extra security when moving heavy pallets of masonry or tile where edge abrasion is a concern.
They are less flexible than thinner nylon straps, which can be an advantage when stabilizing a top-heavy load. Rely on these when the project scope demands high-capacity rigging that won’t stretch under pressure.
Forearm Forklift: Best for Two-Person Team Lifts
Moving heavy objects by hand—such as heavy HVAC components or large architectural metal panels—often leads to back injuries and site accidents. The Forearm Forklift uses leverage mechanics to redistribute the weight from the hands to the larger muscles of the arms and shoulders.
This tool is indispensable when navigating tight attic accesses or maneuvering materials across a finished interior. By keeping the center of gravity closer to the body, workers maintain better balance on uneven flooring or roof surfaces.
Note that this system relies entirely on the strength of the two operators rather than a mechanical winch. Use it only for loads within the physical capacity of the team to ensure stability during transport.
Lift-All Tuflex Roundsling: For Irregular Loads
Roundsling technology represents a shift from flat webbing to a continuous loop of load-bearing fibers protected by a synthetic sleeve. Because the fibers move independently inside the sleeve, the sling can rotate and adjust to the load, minimizing the risk of a snap-back or shift.
These are perfect for non-magnetic loads with strange geometry, such as irregularly shaped ventilation units or skylight frames. The round profile distributes pressure more evenly than flat webbing, protecting fragile edges.
Because the load-bearing core is enclosed, inspection requires looking for internal lumps or tears in the cover. If the outer sleeve shows signs of fraying, retire the sling immediately, regardless of the core’s appearance.
Kinedyne Tuff-Edge II: Most Abrasion-Resistant
When hauling rough-cut lumber or abrasive metal panels, standard nylon straps can shred in a single day of hard use. The Tuff-Edge II features specialized edge protection that significantly extends the lifespan of the strap under harsh conditions.
This durability makes it the preferred choice for repetitive rigging tasks where the strap frequently rubs against building components or sharp material edges. The added layer of defense minimizes the need for extra edge guards.
While they cost slightly more upfront, the replacement frequency is lower compared to standard web slings. Factor in the cost of labor downtime when a failed strap stops the lift and the value of this durability becomes clear.
Shoulder Dolly: An Ergonomic Lifting Alternative
The Shoulder Dolly acts as a harness-based system, transferring the weight of heavy, non-magnetic items to the shoulders and hips. This design is superior for moving long, cumbersome materials through hallways or up steep stairs to a roof access point.
It frees up the hands to stabilize the load, which is critical when carrying expensive panels or specialized roofing equipment. The straps are fully adjustable, allowing for different heights and reaches among team members.
Avoid using this system on slippery surfaces or where footing is compromised. The harness effectively locks the worker to the load, which can be dangerous if a slip or fall occurs during a lift.
Sling Types: Endless vs. Eye & Eye vs. Roundsling
Understanding the geometry of your lifting gear is just as important as the material composition. Endless slings are simple loops that can be configured in various hitches, making them highly adaptable for different lifting points.
Eye & Eye slings feature loops at the ends, which are optimized for specific hitch types, particularly chokers or vertical lifts. They offer precise control but are generally restricted to the configuration allowed by the loop size.
Roundsling configurations provide a “floating” load point that allows the sling to self-center, reducing stress concentrations. Choose the sling type based on the attachment points available on the object being lifted.
Understanding Working Load Limits (WLL) for Safety
The Working Load Limit (WLL) is the absolute maximum mass a strap is designed to lift under normal conditions. Never exceed this rating, as it accounts for the breaking strength of the material divided by a safety factor, typically 5:1.
Environmental factors like heat, chemical exposure, or extreme cold can degrade the fibers and effectively lower the WLL. Always consult the tag attached to the sling, as it provides the specific ratings for the vertical, choker, and basket hitches.
If a load is on the edge of a strap’s capacity, it is safer to move up to the next size class. Relying on a strap’s theoretical capacity without considering the safety factor is the leading cause of rigging failure.
Choker Vertical or Basket? Choosing Your Hitch
The hitch—the way the strap is attached to the load—radically changes the strap’s effective lifting capacity. A vertical hitch provides the least mechanical advantage, while a basket hitch, which supports the load from both sides, can nearly double the WLL.
A choker hitch is excellent for securing bundles of loose items, but it creates a “choking” effect that reduces the sling’s capacity by roughly 25%. Always account for this reduction when calculating the necessary strap strength.
Assess the lift plan before touching the rigging. If the hitch configuration doesn’t allow for a safe, balanced lift, adjust the strap placement or use multiple slings to distribute the load correctly.
When to Retire a Lifting Strap: Inspection Guide
Lifting straps have a finite life, and the transition from safe to dangerous is often invisible to the untrained eye. Retire any strap showing signs of melted fibers, acid or chemical burns, or deep cuts in the webbing.
Watch for “glazing,” a shiny appearance on the fibers that indicates heat damage or over-stretching. If the tag is missing or illegible, the strap must be removed from service, as the WLL can no longer be verified.
Do not attempt to patch or sew a damaged strap; internal structural fibers cannot be repaired to their original load-bearing capacity. When in doubt, cut the strap in half to ensure it cannot be accidentally reused on the job site.
Properly maintaining and selecting lifting straps for non-magnetic materials prevents the small accidents that lead to major project delays. By prioritizing the correct sling configuration and inspecting gear before every lift, crews ensure that heavy materials move safely and efficiently. Always treat rigging as a critical component of construction, where the right choice today prevents a failure tomorrow.