Becker Sling
The Becker Sling is a simple vertical lift system designed for short rescue evolutions extracting large animals from cisterns, swimming pools, and any other location where it is necessary to lift the animal in order to place them in a safer location. Most frequently the sling is ordered as a total "Out the Door" option which places all of the needed parts and accessories (including shipping within the continental United States) into one package deal. This option is good for rescue squads and government agencies that require a predictable cost prior to applying for grants and other funding. However, we can certainly accommodate individual part pricing for those organizations that have more specific needs or may need replacement items.
| To the right is the basic sling. This includes
everything one needs "below the hook". At the top is the
Master Oval which accepts connection to a crane or other lifting
mechanism. There are two types of shackles that connect to
the spread bar. The upper shackles are simple and receive
the prussik loops from the master oval. The lower shackles
have a "rapid release" system with the orange tag lines that
connect to the safety retaining pin as well as the main
supporting pin in the spread bar. The lower shackles are
large enough to receive the body webbings directly. The
pads are custom made from marine vinyl with two inches of high
density foam and sized to each webbing so that the D rings are
made available. The D rings are present in both the body
webbings as well as the chest webbing so that tag lines or other
accessories might be attached to the system. This is
important if the supported animal needs to have a lateral
movement or other needs of positioning while suspended. For a more detailed description of individual parts, click on: Parts List For a narrative on the procedure for Rescue click on: Rescue Procedure For the mechanical load ratings on each aspect of this system, click: Ratings |
 |
The "Out the Door" option, which is our most popular form of sales, includes the system shown above with a "regular" sized chest webbing with pad. Also included in the package is the "temporary support system" which is briefly used during the process of placing the sling on the animal. In addition, a convenient shipping/storage container is included along with shipping via UPS or LTL carrier within the continental United States.
 Rubbermaid Shipping/Storage Container |
 Temporary Support System |
The "Out the Door" option is priced at $1524.
Of course, all of the items above can be ordered individually or grouped as systems for savings.
 Support System |
 Body and Chest Sling Set |
 Custom Pads |
| Item | Part Number | Price Each |
| Master Oval | SSMO | 46 |
| Prussik Loop | SSPL | 18 |
| Upper Shackle | SSUS | 24 |
| Lower Shackle with Release System |
SSLS | 38 |
| Aluminum Spread Bar | SSSB | 94 |
| Total Support System | SSTK | 286 |
| Body Sling | SLBD | 288 |
| Chest Sling Small (36") | SLCH36 | 132 |
| Chest Sling Regular (42") | SLCH42 | 148 |
| Chest Sling Large (48") | SLCH48 | 164 |
| Chest Sling XL (54") | SLCH54 | 180 |
| Sling "Set" 2 Body Slings, 1 Regular Chest |
SLTK | 706 |
| Body Pad | PDBD | 66 |
| Chest Pad Small | PDCH36 | 30 |
| Chest Pad Regular | PDCH42 | 30 |
| Chest Pad Large | PDCH48 | 30 |
| Chest Pad XL | PDCH54 | 30 |
| Pad "Set" 2 Body Pads, 1 Chest Pad |
PDTK | 148 |
| Sling Set plus Pad Set (above) | SLTKPD | 838 |
| Rubbermaid Container | OACN | 160 |
| Large Steel Carabiners (2) | OACB | 88 (both) |
| Temporary Support | OATS | 16 |
| "Out The Door" Package | RQCS | 1524 |
|
Optional Delrin Inserts We are no longer offering delrin inserts in the spread bar. As a replacement, we will be placing aluminum sleeves through the bar that will aid in pin alignment and distribute the pin loading over a larger surface area. This feature will become standard in the not so distant future and will be less expensive than the delrin. In the mean time, if this option is considered, we shall issue a coupon for $36 (a 50 percent savings) which will allow them to exchange their present bar for the upgraded one when they become available. The normal exchange rate in the future will be $72, which will include shipping. Once we start putting the sleeves in on a standard basis, the cost of the aluminum spread bar will increase from its current $94 to $146 for the upgraded model. |
Load Ratings
When constructing this, or any type of system where load
will be applied, it is vital to consider the ratings of all of the components of the
system. In addition, an extra safety factor is added so that there should never be
system failure. In human rescues, the safety factor is 15:1, meaning a 600 pound
load should have a system rated to 9,000 pounds. While this level of safety is great
to consider, using these factors in animal lifting is often impractical due to the weight
and expense of equipment, so often a reasonable compromise is in order.
The Support
System underwent load testing in Elkhart Indiana on 16 November 2004.
Four tests were required as the bolts on the testing
machine were failing at loads of 13,000 - 15,000 pounds. Finally, very large
bolts were used and the support system was loaded to its maximum strength. As
predicted, the shackles, oval, and prusiks did not fail. The ultimate
load on the aluminum spread bar was 21,600 pounds at failure. However,
long before the bar failed, it was easily seen that the bar was bending
indicating the high load. We feel that this is a good visual safety
feature. The aluminum bar should easily handle large animals up to
2,000 pounds, giving the system a very high safety factor.
All of the components of the system have the
ratings listed below.
Master Oval Link - Maximum Load 15,200 pounds
Prusik Loops (Using the doubled configuration shown) - 18,000
pounds breaking each loop
Shackles - Maximum Working Load 10,000 pounds each
Aluminum Spread Bar - 21,600 pounds breaking (total load equally
divided on both ends)
Body Slings - Nominal 20,000 pounds maximum load
Definitions: "Working load" or "Maximum
Load" is that load which a part can typically sustain safely on a daily basis
(with
periodic inspections for damage). "Breaking Strength" is that load which
will cause immediate failure.
A part should NEVER have a load which even approaches
the breaking strength!
Shipping
Prices shown do not include shipping from
Virginia to your
facility. These charges will be added to your credit card after the items have been
shipped. (Unless the entire system is purchased. In those cases the shipping
costs have been included in the overall price.) Typical charges will be $10-20 plus
the actual fees from United Parcel Service for smaller shipments.
Purchase of the entire system will be shipped by
Estes Express Trucking, an LTL
carrier or by UPS. Although some
parts can be shipped the next day, others parts (slings) should have an allowance of about
3-6 weeks.
Placing
Your Order
Currently, the BEST method to place an order is to
download the
PDF Order Form and fax
it to 540-745-4036.
(We are in the process of building a secure website for taking online orders
in the near future)
We accept Master Card, Visa, Discover, and
American Express. If you need alternate arrangements, or have any
questions at all,
the best way is to fax your inquiry or send an e-mail to
Häst. (Note: Prices subject to change with little notice.)
Cranes
While cranes from a number of different manufactures can certainly work, might we suggest checking Hiab. They have offices all over the world, including the United States, and have an interest in Fire and Rescue applications.
Click
on the picture to the left for a link to Hiab. Then specify your
country for local offices.