winner Grade 12 Plus: The Next-Generation Grade 12 Chain Sling Replacing Grade 8

All over the world, Grade 8 chain slings are still doing the heavy lifting – literally. For decades, Grade 8 was the industry standard. But against modern lifting demands, that technology is showing its age. High dead weight, comparatively low load capacities, and heavy material usage make Grade 8 chain slings increasingly inefficient, and by today’s standards, outdated.

As a market and innovation leader, pewag is consistently driving technological innovation. The result is winner Grade 12 Plus: a modern chain system that doesn’t just replace Grade 8, but clearly outperforms it in every respect. It’s positioned as the most capable Grade 12 programme currently available on the market.

Why Grade 8 chain slings are reaching their limits

Grade 8 chain slings earned its place as the lifting default for good reason, but three limitations now define its ceiling:

• Higher dead weight for a given working load limit (WLL), which slows handling and adds fatigue risk for users
• Lower load capacities relative to chain diameter, often forcing larger, heavier chain sizes
• Greater material usage per tonne of capacity delivered, which sits at odds with modern efficiency and sustainability targets

These aren’t small inefficiencies. Across oil & gas, construction, and heavy transport operations where chain is used daily, they add up in handling time, fatigue-related risk, and total cost of ownership.

Introducing winner Grade 12 Plus

winner Grade 12 Plus is pewag’s answer: a chain system built to replace Grade 8 outright, not just incrementally improve on it. It combines a proven chain profile with newly patented master link geometry, giving users a chain sling that’s stronger, lighter, and easier to inspect.

Introducing winner Grade 12 Plus

• 50%+ higher load capacity than Grade 8
• Up to 30% weight reduction vs Grade 8 chain slings at the same WLL
• One chain dimension smaller achievable across all load ranges while maintaining the same WLL

What Sets winner Grade 12 Plus Apart

• Minimum 50% higher load capacity compared to Grade 8 chain slings
• Easy downsizing across all load ranges, winner Grade 12 Plus enables one chain dimension smaller than Grade 8 while maintaining the same WLL
• Easier handling thanks to a weight reduction of up to 30% compared to Grade 8 chain slings at equivalent WLL
• A unique, well-proven chain profile designed for optimum handling in both lifting and lashing applications
• New patented link geometry for master links, including an angular shape that indicates the sling’s inclination angle at a glance
• Optimised contact surfaces for ideal force transmission between master links and crane hooks
• Patented discard marks indicate whether the hook was loaded beyond the working load limit, reducing the effort involved in periodic inspection by showing hook wear condition directly

Built for Heavy-Duty Sectors

winner Grade 12 Plus is designed for industries where chain slings work hardest and downtime carries the highest cost:

• Oil & Gas
• Wind Energy
• Construction
• Transport & Logistics
• Manufacturing

In each of these sectors, the combination of higher capacity, reduced weight, and simplified inspection translates directly into faster lifting, safer handling, and lower long-term operating costs.

The Bottom Line

Grade 8 chain slings got the job done for a generation of lifting operations. But with higher capacity requirements, and a growing focus on operator ergonomics, it’s no longer the most efficient option on the market. winner Grade 12 Plus gives operators a direct upgrade path: the same trusted chain profile pewag is known for, now combined with a stronger, lighter, and smarter Grade 12 lifting chain system.

Explore the winner Grade 12 Plus range and find out how much weight, and cost, your operation could shed by moving up from Grade 8.

Grade 12 Lifting Equipment FAQ