Slingmax® Flashback: The Record-Breaking 10-Crane Ballet at Dulles

dulles lift

August 2014 – A Historic Lift with Twin Path® Innovation

In the summer of 2014, Slingmax® Rigging Solutions helped make rigging history at Dulles International Airport. What unfolded was not just a super lift—it was a precision rigging ballet, a first-of-its-kind performance in the world of high-performance synthetic slings.

At the center of this achievement was a 703,000 lb (351 metric ton) structural steel roof section—165 feet wide by 202 feet long, nearly three-quarters the size of a football field. To lift the entire structure in one synchronized motion, ten cranes from W.O. Grubb, Inc. worked in harmony, choreographed with Twin-Path® Slings, CornerMax® Pads, and Shackle Pin Pads, all engineered and supplied by Slingmax’s Lorton, Virginia facility.

This wasn’t just a heavy lift. It was a record-breaker for the time: The heaviest known lift ever performed using high-performance synthetic slings and pads.

Thanks to the strength and light weight of our patented Twin-Path Slings with K-Spec® Core Yarn, and the protective innovation of CornerMax Pads, this project proved what was once thought impossible: safely lifting extreme loads with synthetic rigging in environments where sharp edges traditionally excluded their use.

Efficiency Meets Innovation

Synthetic roundslings improved the efficiency of this job substantially. Compare this to traditional wire rope rigging:

  • A single Twin-Path sling weighed just 100 lbs, while an equivalent wire rope would have weighed 745 lbs.
  • Total rigging weight was reduced by 10,000 lbs.
  • Connection time was cut dramatically—six workers completed the sling setup in just three hours, eliminating the need for extra manpower and a second crane.

This wasn’t just a lift—it was a vision of the future. By preassembling the massive structure on the ground and hoisting it into place as one, the team minimized risk, improved precision, and showcased how Slingmax technology redefines what’s possible in construction and heavy industry.

Special thanks to our trusted partners at Pinnacle Erectors, W.O. Grubb, and our on-site Slingmax advisors Selina Kochel and Pauline Scites, whose expertise helped make this landmark lift safe, efficient, and unforgettable.

At Slingmax, we’re proud to have played a part in what has come to be known as the 10-Crane Super Lift Ballet—a moment of grace, strength, and teamwork that continues to inspire rigging professionals around the world.

Click here to see the original article on Wire Rope Exchange.