Choosing a G80 chain never stops with "how heavy is the load." Temperature ranges, salt spray, sling angles, headroom limitations, and even hook throat sizes all tip the scales in favor of one size or coating versus another. This in-the-trenches guide walks through five real factors that alter chain selection, offers a spec matrix you can screen-grab, and delivers a checklist that acquires the decision within sixty seconds. Scroll down the table, answer the five questions, and you will pick a Topone G80 chain that is less heavy on the crane but more rugged in the workplace.

1 Factor One—Service Environment

Cold yards to −20 °C demand alloy toughness; hot mills around 200 °C decrease WLL by 10 %. Marine decks misuse with 1 000 h salt spray. Topone comes with three finishes:

Select the finish before the diameter; a 13 mm chain with hot-dip zinc will typically last longer than an 18 mm bare chain in the splash zone.

2 Factor Two—Sling Angle & Geometry

Angle multiplies tension. A 45° two-leg sling increases line load by ×1.4; a 60° four-leg set can reach ×2.1. Always multiply design load by the appropriate factor from EN 818-4, then apply the result to select diameter.

Topone G80 Selection Matrix

WLL values comply with EN 818-2 single-leg vertical mode.

3 Factor Three—Headroom & Hook Fit

The cranes in container terminals typically only offer 400 mm of hook-to-load clearance. Observe the "Headroom" column; it reports maximum link outside Ø. An 18 mm chain will barely fit where an 20 mm will not even though both are sharing the load.

4 Factor Four—Cycle Rate & Wear

High-cycle choices in steel foundries strip links 10 % thinner in two years. Lighter 8 mm chain weighs 1.38 kg/m; 41 tonne-metres of work/metre swung in a shift at 30 cycles/hour. More cycles cause faster wear—upsize or replace with Grade 100 if replacement windows fit snug.

5 Factor Five—Inspection Bandwidth

Small crews such as chains which show damage immediately. Black paint spalls reveal shiny steel so cracks are visible; hot-dip zinc hides rust longer but must be inspected by caliper. Same coat as how frequently readers open logbook.

60-Second Decision Checklist

Severity of site: choose finish table.

Heaviest regular load + weight of rigging.

Multiply by angle factor.

Open matrix; choose first Ø with WLL ≥ step 3.

Verify headroom and hook throat clearances.

Log chain ID and finish in maintenance system.

Field-Ready Tips

Use a five-link go/no-go gauge; discard at 3 % stretch.

Retire when mid-link Ø loses 10 % metal.

Keep track of service hours; replace chains at five years even if they look like new.

Conclusion

Forget guessing and let environment, angle, headroom, cycle count, and inspection reality make the decision—select the Topone G80 chain that actually fits your lift, and trust TOPONE CHAIN to make every link strong. Contact us for more information!