From rod-climbing rheometer measurements, we systematically investigated the normal stress values of suspended particles in polymeric liquids at low shear rates using the second-order fluid constitutional relationship. The climbing constants beta of the suspended alpha-Fe2O3 particles in polyisobutylene/polybutene solutions, which exhibit Boger fluid characteristics (highly elastic, but no shear-thinning), were estimated from the rod-climbing experiment, showing that beta increased with polymer concentration and polymer molecular weight. The first normal stress difference coefficient of the suspended alpha-Fe2O3 in polymeric liquids obtained from the rod-climbing rheometer was well correlated with the rheological properties measured by rotational rheometers. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.