Top 10 Lifting & Rigging Videos of 2025
If you’re looking for the top lifting and rigging videos from this year in one place, this is it.
In this post, we’re counting down the Top 10 Lifting & Rigging Channel videos of 2025. These are a mix of our most viewed and most liked videos, plus a few personal favorites from the year.
Whether you’re new to lifting and rigging or you’ve been on the job for years, this list gives you an easy way to catch up on the videos that made the biggest impact in 2025.
Transcript
Intro: Top 10 Lifting & Rigging Videos of 2025
– Behold.
– Hooks.
– My name’s Ben. That’s also Ben.
– We’re answering all your questions about chain grade.
– Right now, what you want to do is just get things hand tight.
– We’re going to break some stuff. Boom.
– If there’s a CE on a piece of hardware means it’s from China.
– No.
– Myth!
– What were this year’s top 10 lifting and rigging videos?
My name is Ben, and this is “The Lifting & Rigging Channel”. Thank you for watching and subscribing. Today, we are counting down the top 10 Lifting & Rigging Channel videos of 2025.
These are a mix of our most viewed and most liked videos, as well as a few of my personal favorites. Drop your favorite video in the comments below.
#10: Crane Buying Mistakes That Cost Millions
– [Narrator] Ten
– [Ben] Number 10. On our Safety Factor Podcast, we pulled in some of Mazzella’s crane experts to discuss some of the biggest mistakes people make when they are buying an overhead crane.
– How to make sure your s*** don’t break?
– If you’re shopping for an overhead crane now or in the future, listen to this podcast. So you can avoid some common stumbles that could end up costing your company millions of dollars in the long run.
#9: Spotting “Code Red” Pallet Rack Damage
– [Narrator] Nine.
– This material should be offloaded immediately, and they should lock this area out until a replacement or a repair kit’s been installed.
This is a major safety concern. As you can see, the product on this racking looks very heavy, very dense. This is a situation that we would deem a code red.
– [Ben] Number nine, rack collapses can cost millions in property damage, not to mention OSHA fines, plus the ramifications of possible injuries to your workforce. And damage is common. Getting bumped with a lift is not an uncommon occurrence.
If you have pallet racks in your facility, do you know what to look for to see if they’re safe? Can you spot code red damage? Watch this video to learn how to inspect pallet racking.
#8: Plasma® Sling Break Test
– [Narrator] Eight
– We’re going to break some stuff. BOOM!
– [Ben] Number eight, we put some old plasma slings to the test. After years of heavy service, we wanted to see if these slings would make it to their minimum breaking load. If you want to find out if they did, check out the video.
#7: Rigging Myths Busted
– [Narrator] Seven.
– [Ben] Number seven, part two of our “Rigging Myths” series. Henry’s back. This Columbus McKinnon Product Trainer once again walks us through some common rigging myths.
Don’t blow a gasket because we’re about to bust some myths that’ll have you angrily pounding away on your keyboards in the comment section. Watch this video and then check out part one from 2024 as well.
#6: Hand Chain vs Lever Hoist
– [Narrator] Six.
– [Ben] Number six, our second most-viewed video of the year. Just some basic, helpful rigging knowledge, which do you choose for your application, a hand chain hoist or a lever hoist? Chain Block vs. Come-a-long?
In this video, we walk you through how to analyze which style hoist would be right for your application and when to choose one over the other.
#5: How to Install Wire Rope Clips
– [Narrator] Five.
– Never saddle a dead horse. So we have this dead end here. Of course, right below it, we have the live line. It’s going the length of that assembly we’re about to make.
– Giddy-up.
– [Ben] Number five. Never saddle a dead horse. What the heck does that mean? While we’re wrangling these drop forged wire rope clips, Terry Driscoll and I walk you through the right way to get ’em installed. So nothing bucks loose.
#4: The Ultimate Guide to Rigging Slang
– [Narrator] Four.
– [Both] Remember, safe rigging is smart rigging. My name is Ben. Stay safe out there.
– [Ben] Number four, this one literally took two of me. One walking through the clean technical terms and graphics and one to translate everything into rigging slang.
If you’ve ever been confused by the different names used for gear on a job site, this ultimate guide to rigging slang is the video to watch.
#3: Chain Grades 30–120 Explained
– [Narrator] Three.
– Focus on the dekanewton and then if you look at the chain and you slice the chain link in half, you look at two rods looking at you. So use geometry to determine how big is the surface and you divide the first by the surface. And a grade is dekanewton per square millimeter, so grade 80 is 80 dekanewtons per square millimeter.
– [Ben] Number three, we’re unleashing The Chainiac. Carlo from Pewag joins me for a deep dive into chain grades, 30, 43, 70, 80, 100 and 120, and when you should and absolutely should not use each one.
We link a bit of fun with solid information for anyone buying chain. Carlo’s really into chain. If you want to learn more about chain grades, check out this video, and if you missed it, check out part two, where we go into a deeper dive into the difference between carbon and alloy chain.
#2: Jobsite Nightmares – Scary Rigging Spooktacular
– [Narrator] Two
– Behold the hooks of horror.
– [Ben] Number two, a freak show of failed rigging. Bent, burned, worn-out, and butchered gear pulled straight from the field for this Halloween special. If you want to see what real job site nightmares look like when you ignore your inspections, watch this horror show. Equal parts freakshow and inspection lessons. You won’t want to miss this…
– Scary Rigging Spooktacular!
#1: Complete Guide to Lifting Hooks
– [Narrator] One.
– When should I use this hook versus this hook? In this video, I’m going to break down the differences, so you can better understand the features and benefits of the different hooks and decide which is the best hook for your application.
– [Ben] Number one, our most watched and most liked video of the year, the complete guide to lifting hooks. We walk you through connection points, hook types, and real applications, so you know which hook belongs on which job.
From self-closing and self-locking hooks to foundry hooks, grab hooks, sorting hooks, and more. By the end, you’ll know how to choose the right hook for your application. Stay tuned for more deep dives into specific types of rigging gear in 2026.
What’s Coming in 2026
So what was your favorite lifting of rigging video of 2025? Leave your favorites in the comments.
In 2026, you can look forward to more hands-on content, expert advice and demonstrations, deep dives, breakthrough products, how-tos, and how-it’s-made videos as we strive to make this channel your best source for lifting and rigging educational content.
Thanks to you for watching. If you’re not subscribed, why not subscribe now? We release new videos on lifting and rigging and material handling each week.
What questions do you have? Let us know. Drop your suggestions in the comments below. We’ll be back next year. Remember, safe rigging is smart rigging. My name is Ben. Stay safe out there.
#10 – Crane Buying Mistakes That Cost Millions
When you’re investing in an overhead crane, the cost of getting it wrong can be huge. In this episode of the Safety Factor Podcast, Mazzella’s crane experts break down the biggest mistakes people make when buying an overhead crane—from under‑specifying the system to overlooking future needs and missing critical details in the buying process.
If you’re shopping for an overhead crane now or might be in the future, this video will help you avoid common stumbles that could cost your company serious money.
#9 – How to Spot Critical Pallet Rack Damage Before It’s Too Late
Pallet rack damage is more common than many people think—and the consequences can be severe. In this video, our experts walk through real examples of damaged pallet racking, explain why certain conditions are a major safety concern, and show you what a “code red” situation looks like.
If you have pallet racking in your facility, this video will help you understand what to look for, when to act, and why certain damage should be addressed immediately.
#8 – Can These Plasma® Slings Go Longer? Missed MBL
What really happens when you take Plasma® slings that have seen years of service and pull them to failure? In this video, we put old slings to the test to see how they perform compared to their minimum breaking load (MBL).
You’ll see actual break tests, real numbers, and a closer look at how used gear behaves when it’s pushed to the limit.
#7 – Rigging Myths Busted: Are You Making These Dangerous Mistakes?
In part two of our Rigging Myths series, Henry from Columbus McKinnon returns to tackle more of the common myths and misunderstandings that show up on job sites. Some of these myths might seem harmless, but they can lead to unsafe conditions or bad habits over time.
This video walks through each myth, explains why it’s a problem, and replaces it with correct, practical rigging information you can use in the field.
#6 – Hand Chain Hoist vs Lever Hoist: Which One Should You Choose?
Hand chain hoist or lever hoist? This video breaks down the practical differences between the two, when each style makes sense, and how to choose the right hoist for your application.
We cover key points like working positions, control, typical use cases, and pros and cons, so you can match the hoist to the work instead of guessing.
#5 – How to Install Wire Rope Clips (Full Guide)
“Never saddle a dead horse.” If you’ve heard that phrase but weren’t quite sure what it meant, this video is for you. We walk step‑by‑step through proper installation of drop forged wire rope clips, explaining which side is the “live” line, which is the “dead” end, and how to assemble everything so it stays secure.
If you’re responsible for making or inspecting wire rope assemblies, or training others to install wire rope clips, this is a fundamental how‑to that’s worth bookmarking.
#4 – The Ultimate Guide to Rigging Slang: What Do YOU Call It?
On many job sites, the same piece of gear can go by three or four different names. In this video, the “Bens”- one speaking in clean, technical terms and the other translating everything into rigging slang break down terms and definitions for rigging equipment and gear.
It’s a fun, practical way to show how different people refer to the same equipment, and it helps make sure everyone is talking about the same thing when they’re planning a lift.
#3 – Chain Grades Explained: 30, 43, 70 vs 80, 100, 120
Carlo from Pewag joins us for a deep dive into chain grades—30, 43, 70, 80, 100, and 120—and what those numbers actually mean. He breaks down the concept of dekanewtons per square millimeter, how grade relates to strength, and when certain grades should or should not be used.
If you buy, specify, or use chain, this video gives you a solid foundation for understanding grades and choosing the right chain for your application.
#2 – Jobsite Nightmares: Scary Rigging Spooktacular
“Behold the hooks of horror.” This Halloween special showcases real, failed rigging gear pulled straight from the field—bent, burned, worn‑out, and badly modified hardware that should never have stayed in service.
It’s part freak show, part education: a visual reminder of what can happen when inspections are ignored and damaged gear keeps getting used.
#1 – Complete Guide to Lifting Hooks
Taking the top spot for 2025 is our Complete Guide to Lifting Hooks, the most watched and most liked video of the year. In this video, we walk through connection points, hook types, and real‑world applications, from self‑closing and self‑locking hooks to foundry hooks, grab hooks, sorting hooks, and more.
By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of which hook belongs on which job and how different designs are meant to be used.
What Was Your Favorite Lifting & Rigging Video of 2025?
We’d love to know which video stood out the most to you.
Did you prefer the deep dives, the tests, the jobsite horror stories, or the hands‑on how‑tos?
Tell us on the Lifting & Rigging Channel and let us know what kinds of lifting and rigging topics you’d like to see more of in 2026.
You can also subscribe to the channel and the Learning Center Blog to stay up to date on new videos and articles.
We release new lifting, rigging, and material handling content every week—including videos, articles, podcasts, and downloadable resources.
We’re here to help you and your team work safer and more confidently around lifting and rigging gear.
Remember: Safe rigging is smart rigging. 💪🏗️
Contact Mazzella
- Schedule Remote or In-Person Rigging Training
- Contact Mazzella’s Lifting and Rigging Division
In this video
0:00 – Intro: Top 10 Lifting & Rigging Videos of 2025
0:50 – #10: Crane Buying Mistakes That Cost Millions
1:15 – #9: Spotting “Code Red” Pallet Rack Damage
1:57 – #8: Plasma® Sling Break Test
2:15 – #7: Rigging Myths Busted
2:42 – #6: Hand Chain vs Lever Hoist
3:05 – #5: How to Install Wire Rope Clips
3:26 – #4: The Ultimate Guide to Rigging Slang
3:54 – #3: Chain Grades 30–120 Explained
4:53 – #2: Jobsite Nightmares – Scary Rigging Spooktacular
5:27 – #1: Complete Guide to Lifting Hooks
6:12 – What’s Coming in 2026
Disclaimer:
Any advice, graphics, images, and/or information contained herein are presented for general educational and information purposes and to increase overall safety awareness. It is not intended to be legal, medical, or other expert advice or services, and should not be used in place of consultation with appropriate industry professionals. The information herein should not be considered exhaustive and the user should seek the advice of appropriate professionals.