OMEX-RQ12 12mm Balancing Sling

RIGIQ OMEX-RQ Balancing Sling / Spider Leg

The RIGIQ OMEX-RQ Balancing Sling, also known as a Spider Leg, is designed to provide controlled load balancing and multiple attachment options during professional arborist rigging operations.

Manufactured from OMEX-RQ 12-strand high-tenacity polyester rope, the Balancing Sling combines strength, durability, and clean handling with the flexibility required for complex rigging applications. It allows arborists to connect, stabilise, and balance sections of timber or limbs during lowering, helping to improve control and reduce unwanted movement during the rigging process.

OMEX-RQ is engineered specifically for the manufacture of RIGIQ rope-based products. It is made from fully dyed yarns to help retain rope colour and is over-coated with a specialist PU-derived protective coating to improve abrasion resistance, reduce snagging, enhance wear life, and support efficient splicing.

The rope is pre-stretched, heat set, and torque balanced to provide a firm, stable profile with low constructional stretch. Its 12-strand hollow braid construction offers excellent strength-to-weight performance while remaining flexible, easy to handle, and easy to inspect.

Hand spliced as part of the RIGIQ range, the OMEX-RQ Balancing Sling is designed for use with compatible arborist rigging hardware where controlled load positioning, balancing, or multiple connection points are required.

All RIGIQ products are tested in their spliced configuration to achieve the published MBS, rather than simply quoting the standalone rope MBS. This ensures the product is tested as it is intended to be used.

Designed for demanding arborist rigging environments, the RIGIQ OMEX-RQ Balancing Sling provides a practical and reliable solution for controlled lowering, load stabilisation, and complex rigging setups.

Key Features

• Balancing sling / spider leg design
• Manufactured from OMEX-RQ 12-strand polyester rope
• Designed for controlled load balancing and stabilisation
• Useful for multiple attachment and rigging configurations
• High-tenacity polyester construction
• Made from fully dyed yarns to help retain rope colour
• Improved abrasion and snag resistance
• Pre-stretched and heat set for dimensional stability
• Torque-balanced for a firm, stable profile
• Flexible and easy to handle
• Easy to inspect Clean, efficient spliced construction
• Tested in spliced configuration to achieve published MBS
• Designed for professional arborist rigging applications

Important Warning

Low friction rings are extremely versatile, but they are not designed to replace rigging blocks in all applications. They should not be used where free-running rope movement or continuous adjustment under load is required. In these situations, a correctly rated rigging block or pulley should be used instead.

Single-ring configurations must only be used as redirects within a rigging system. A single ring does not provide sufficient bend radius to serve as the primary rigging point when dealing with significant loads. Incorrect use may increase stress on the rope and other rigging components.

This product is intended for rigging applications only and must be used by competent persons with suitable training and experience. Always inspect the sling, splice and ring before use, ensure compatibility with the complete rigging system, and never exceed the limits of any component in the setup.

Reporting note: The spliced-eye rating is configuration and method-dependent and is provided as a statistically derived performance rating. It should not be used as a substitute for rope-body MBS unless the end-use configuration matches the stated test setup.

Important: All product information, specifications and performance data are provided for guidance only and were correct at the time of publication. Specifications may be updated without notice as part of ongoing product development.

Breaking Strength and Maximum Working Load

This product is supplied with breaking strength information (MBS/MBL). A maximum intended working load must be determined by the competent person by applying an appropriate Safety Factor (SF) to the breaking strength and ensuring the expected loads remain below that limit and below the ratings of all other components in the system.

Safety Factors (SF) / Design Factors

System Working Loads Rope and cordage systems are commonly managed using a Safety Factor (SF) (also referred to as a Design Factor or Coefficient of Utilisation). The Safety Factor is the relationship between the products breaking strength (e.g., MBS/MBL) and the maximum intended working load applied during use. The correct Safety Factor depends on the application, the environment, the expected loading type (static or dynamic), and the consequences of failure. In many rope rigging and lowering operations (including tree work), loads may be applied dynamically (e.g., during catches). The system and technique must be planned to minimise peak forces and avoid uncontrolled shock loading such as excessive free-fall, abrupt stops, or hard catches.

Typical Safety Factor guidance (set by the competent person/system designer):

• 5:1 commonly used in controlled lifting system design
• 7:1 commonly used for textile lifting slings in many EN-rated systems
• 10:1 (or higher) often applied in rope rigging and lowering where dynamic effects and higher peak loads may occur

Important: These figures are provided as general guidance only. The required Safety Factor may be higher depending on the risk assessment, local regulations, industry practice, and operational conditions.

Note on terminology: WLL is typically a single limit assigned to equipment by the manufacturer under a defined standard. For rope systems, the competent person may determine a system working load / maximum intended working load by applying a Safety Factor appropriate to the task and conditions.

Always inspect rope and equipment before and after use. Retire any product showing signs of damage, excessive wear, contamination, heat damage, chemical exposure or other deterioration. Use only by trained and competent persons and in accordance with relevant industry best practice.