No matter what kind of part or material you are moving, your sling is the critical connection between your load and the crane. You can’t afford failure. That’s why more and more people are turning to Tuffy® Synthetic Web Slings—engineered solutions built for demanding applications where safety, reliability, and long service life are essential.

Tuffy slings go beyond basic lifting; they’re designed with industry-leading features that reduce wear, improve load control, and withstand some of the most demanding environments in manufacturing, construction, and field service.

Polyester vs. Nylon—Which Should You Choose?
Both materials get the job done, but each has its own strengths depending on your specific environment:

• Stretch under Load: Nylon stretches about 6% under rated capacity. Polyester stretches less, offering a bit more load stability.
• ​Chemical Exposure: Polyester stands up better to acids, while nylon withstands stronger alkalis.
• Sunlight Resistance: Both degrade over time in direct sunlight, though Tuffy applies treatments to improve durability. Still, storing slings out of the sun is always a smart move.
• Heat Range: Neither material should be used in temperatures above 194°F (90°C) or below -40°F (-40°C).
• Moisture & Oil: Both are highly resistant to water, seawater, oil, grease, and many common chemicals—perfect for messy shop or field conditions.

Want a nylon sling? Tuffy can make that on request, but polyester is their go-to for most applications because of its consistent performance in industrial settings.

Soft Enough for Sensitive Loads—Strong Enough for Structural Steel
When you’re lifting delicate or highly polished loads, you don’t want to risk scratches, dents, or surface damage. That’s where Tuffy’s synthetic web slings come in. Designed with protection in mind, these polyester web slings offer a soft but durable solution for lifting fragile loads safely and securely.

One of the key advantages of synthetic web slings like Tuffy is their ability to securely grip the load without causing surface damage. Unlike wire rope or chain slings, which can scratch, dent, or deform sensitive materials, Tuffy web slings distribute the load evenly across a broad contact area. This makes them ideal for lifting painted components, precision-machined parts, delicate surfaces, or coated beams. The elasticity of the synthetic webbing also helps absorb shock loading and reduce peak stresses, which can be critical when dealing with variable lifting conditions or delicate cargo.

Visibility, Traceability, and Safety—Built In
Every Tuffy sling includes color-coded identification for easy capacity recognition. Whether you’re sorting slings on the shop floor or selecting gear at the job site, color-coding helps avoid misapplication. Each sling also comes with a permanently attached, heat-sealed tag that details its rated load capacities for vertical, choker, and basket configurations. These tags meet ASME B30.9 requirements and help ensure compliance with OSHA inspection and rigging safety standards. Having clear and durable identification on the sling improves traceability and supports proper usage by your rigging crew—reducing human error.

Custom-Built Options for Real-World Challenges
Tuffy offers a wide range of sling configurations, including endless slings, flat eye and eye, twist-eye, reverse eye, and wide-body basket slings, allowing you to match the tool to the task. Standard web widths range from 1 inch to 12 inches, with ply options from single to quadruple, depending on capacity and application. . Type 6 (RE) Reversed Eye Slings offer extra durability and are great for vertical, basket, or choker hitches. Type 7 (FE) Flat Eye Slings let you rig through tight spaces and remove the sling easily from beneath the load. 

Tuffy also manufactures custom sling solutions to meet job-specific lifting challenges, including special lengths, wear pads, edge guards, and hardware attachments. If you’re lifting loads with complex geometries or requiring specific rigging points, Tuffy can help engineer the right solution to get it done safely and efficiently.
Capacities range from 3,100 lbs up to 32,900 lbs vertical, with even greater strength in basket hitches. And if you’re not seeing exactly what you need—just ask. Custom is part of the game at Tuffy.

Optional Scuff Edge™ Webbing Protection
​For applications that push gear to the limit, Tuffyoffers slings made with Scuff Edge™ webbing—a specially woven outer layer that delivers better abrasion resistance.

In January of this year we welcomed a new member to our Browne & Co. sales team and with manufacturing companies opening up again, it's about time we introduce you to Jeff Terrace!

Just before joining Browne & Co in January 2019, Jeff worked at Hoffmann Group, a German cutting tool, hand tool, workstation and storage solutions manufacturer.

Jeff has been working as an InovaTool representative since February of 2019 and recently joined Browne & Company at the beginning of 2020 as our Cutting Tool Specialist. Please send Jeff and email or give him a call to introduce yourself or pick his brain about an application question.

All of our synthetic web products are designed for long life under punishing conditions, but they will eventually wear out after extended use. The key is knowing when to replace them, and that’s why it’s very important to inspect your slings on a regular basis. We’ve developed an inspection program based on the procedure outlined in ANSI B30.9 that will make the most of your investment. 

It’s based on four sound beliefs:

• The importance of following regular and uniform inspections.
• A respect for the capabilities and limitations of synthetic web slings.
• The need to keep complete, permanent records.
• Perhaps most importantly, a lot of common sense.

The frequency of inspection depends on three important factors:

1. Sling usage – the more you use a sling, the more you need to inspect it.
2. The working environment – the harsher the conditions, the more often you need to inspect.
3. Sling service life – based on your experience in using slings. 

It’s a good idea for the person handling the slings to visually inspect all slings before each lift. Additional inspections should be performed at least annually by a qualified designated person and permanent records kept. OSHA specifies, “Each day before being used, the sling and all fastenings and attachments shall be inspected for damage or defects by a competent person designated by the employer. Additional inspections shall be performed during sling use, where service conditions warrant.” In other words, you should visually inspect your sling before each lift.