Swing Set or Playset Swing Hangers Comparison

What are the major differences between the Standard Swing Hangers & the Heavy Duty Swing Hangers?

A picture is worth a thousand words.....or maybe more than a 1000 lbs in this case. Below are the two most common swing hangers that are used in building today's swing set or playset.

Lag Style Swing Hanger

This lag-bolt style hanger is rated at 100-150 lbs per hanger. There is one lag-bolt, usually 3.5" in length, swing hanger per chain and two per swing position. Therefore it should easily initially hold up to 200-300lbs without any problem. But it is a lag (thick screw) and it doesn’t go all the way through the wood and only the tiny threads hold it in place. The wood will shrink as it dries out in the sun, and it shrinks and the hole widens and the swing hanger will literally just fall out. We do not recommend this style of swing hanger.

These are typically sold with cheaper DIY kits from big box stores.

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Standard Swing Hanger

This swing hanger is rated at 150-250 lbs per hanger. There is one bolt swing hanger per chain and two per swing position. Therefore it should easily hold up to 300-500lbs without any problem. (Assuming the chain, swing and beam can accommodate that weight as well)

This bolts thru the entire beam and the washer helps keep it in place even when the wood dries over time. This transfers the entire weight of the swinger to the beam. 1st rate swing hanger and works very well.

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Heavy Duty Swing Hangers
(Iron Ductile)

This setup is made up of two bolts and one iron ductile swing hangers.  Each hanger can accommodate 800 lbs and there are two per swing position, one for each chain. More than 1,500 lbs can be easily accommodated, but usually the limiting factor is the swing chains or the swing itself. If adults are going to use the swing, it is recommended that these heavy duty swing hangers should also be used.

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Playset Safety Surfacing - Fall Protection for your Swing Set