If a load is hanging free, the normal choke angle is approximately 135 degrees. When the angle is less than 135 degrees an adjustment in the sling rated capacity must be made. Choker hitches at angles greater than 135 degrees are not recommended since they are unstable. Extreme care should be taken to determine the angle of choke as accurately as possible.
In controlled tests, where the angle was less than 120 degrees, the sling body always failed at the point of choke when pulled to destruction. Allowance for this phenomenon must be made anytime a choker hitch is used to shift, turn or control a load, or when the pull is against the choke in a multi-leg lift.
