SHORT ANSWER: No, you cannot use ratchet straps for lifting. Ratchet straps are designed to secure loads in place during transport; they are not designed, tested or certified for lifting applications.
Ratchet straps can be extremely useful if you're trying to stop cargo shifting around while you're on the road, but they are not lifting slings and should not be used as such.
Every Tensys ratchet strap has the words NOT FOR LIFTING printed clearly on the label. This warning is there for a very good reason: using a ratchet strap to lift or lower a load may cause the strap to fail, potentially causing severe damage and/or injuries.
If you need to lift a load, you must use suitable lifting equipment such as a certified lifting sling. Luckily, we also sell textile lifting slings that are specifically made for heavy lifting jobs.
Why aren't ratchet straps suitable for lifting?
Ratchet straps are made to do one specific job, and that's load restraint. Their purpose is to hold cargo securely in position (usually on a vehicle, trailer or pallet) so that the load does not move around in transit.
Lifting is a completely different kettle of fish. When a load is to be lifted or lowered, the equipment you're using to achieve this must be capable of supporting the full weight of the load while it's suspended. The forces involved can change suddenly, especially if the load swings or shifts during the lift.
Ratchet straps are not manufactured with this sort of use in mind, and they are not certified for lifting applications. Even if a lashing strap appears to be strong enough, it should never be used to lift, suspend or lower a load.
What does 'not for lifting' mean?
When you see NOT FOR LIFTING printed on a ratchet strap label, it means exactly that. The strap must not be used as a lifting sling or any other type of lifting accessory.
This applies even if the ratchet strap has a high lashing capacity or minimum breaking force. These measurements relate to load restraint applications, not lifting applications.
LEARN MORE: What do the terms on ratchet strap labels mean?
Use lifting slings instead!
If you need to lift something, you should use lifting equipment that has been specifically designed and tested for that purpose.
Here at Tensys Direct, we stock a variety of textile lifting slings including roundslings and webbing slings. These products are manufactured in accordance with the relevant standards for lifting equipment, and they're rigorously tested with this purpose in mind.