Centre of gravity

Find out how a load's centre of gravity affects a lift.

What is centre of gravity?

The centre of gravity (CoG) is the point or position where a load is suspended and balanced.

It is important to understand the centre of gravity of the relevant load. The shape, size and materials of a load can affect its centre of gravity.

Balanced and unbalanced loads

On this page you will find examples of different loads that are balanced and unbalanced.

A balanced load is symmetrical. This means it is the same on both ends.

An unbalanced load is asymmetrical. This means one end is a different weight to the other.

Balanced loads

Balanced/symmetrical load

Unbalanced/asymmetric load

Here are some more examples of what balanced and unbalanced loads might look like:

Example of an unbalanced load

This is an example of an unbalanced load using equal sling leg lengths. The load inside the cage is offset to one side. This means that when the load is lifted, the cage shifts to one side.

The image below shows and example of a balanced load using a 2 tonne spreader bar with 2x2 legged alloy chains.

Example of a balanced load

First lift: stop, check for balance. If not balanced, put down, readjust or reposition slings then test again.

This is an example of a balanced load using adjusted sling leg lengths. The load inside the cage is offset to one side. The sling leg lengths have been adjusted to make sure the centre of gravity of the load is in line with the crane hook.

Example of a balanced load

This is an example of a balanced load using synthetic slings in single choke hitch. This configuration can be used with synthetic slings to a maximum included angle of 120 degrees.

Note: if alloy chains are used to a maximum included angle of 60 degrees, a double wrap choke hitch is preferred to reduce the risk of chains slipping on the load.