Choose Steel Shackles For a Strong and Reliable Connection
Steel shackles are key pieces of equipment for a range of jobs in the rigging, material handling, and construction industries.
Shackles are used for jobs like joining slings together or attaching a load to lift it. Any time a strong and reliable connection is needed steel shackles are often the solution.
There are a wide range of steel shackles out there and choosing the right one for your job can be confusing. The choice starts with the load. What is it you want to lift and how much does it weigh? This will give you an idea of the sling that you will need – this informs the shackle choice. Slings are made from various materials such as polyester, nylon, a wire rope or chain. Choose it based on the sling, the direction of the haul and the size of the load.
Types of Steel Shackle
There are three main types of steel shackles
- Bow or anchor shackles – The bow of these steel shackles is such that the can take a load from different directions without too much side load. The large size is able to handle a larger strap.
- Dee or Chain shackles – These steel shackles have smaller openings than anchor shackles. It typically has a threaded pin. This narrower loop is designed to take larger loads in a direct line.
- Grab shackles – designed for use with grabs, this shackle is a dee shackle with a countersunk pin.
All steel shackles are U-shaped body with a pin running through it. There are also various types of pins available such as:
- Round pins
- Captive pins
- Loose pins
- Screw pins
- Bolt pins.
Shackles are made from various steel materials, but those made from alloy steel are by far the strongest with a higher safe working load. Shackles are graded according to the average stress that it can handle at the minimum breaking point.
Safe Use of Steel Shackles
- Like all lifting equipment, the steel shackles that you use for the job must have a working load limit that is equal to or exceeds the weight of the load that you lift. Steel shackles are sized according to the bowed portion or body
- When using multi-point slings you should take account of the angle when considering the steel shackle load limit. The larger the angle the less the load limit. Discuss your requirements with the supplier. The angle of the slings must not exceed 120⁰.
- All lifting equipment, including shackles, must be inspected every six months by a trained inspector. All shackles must be inspected prior to use, and before storage. Look out for elongation of pinholes or body. Discard any with breaks, corrosion or distortion.
- The shackle pin must always be properly tightened and the load must be centralised on the pin. If you need to you should pack the shackle to keep the load centralised on the pin.
- Never replace the pin with a bolt
- Only people who have been trained in the safe use of slings and shackles should be permitted to use them.
For more information https://allaboutlifting.com.au/products/shackles/
