Shackles are used in a wide variety of rigging and load securement applications. Prior to the use of a shackle, there are some important considerations for the safe use of shackles, as listed below
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- When a sling is being made, attach multiple sling legs to the bow and not to the pin, since attaching legs to the pin can result in damage and therefore weaken the sling.
- When point loading is executed from shackle to shackle, the connection from bow to bow, or bow to pin. The connection is never to be made from pin to pin.
- ‘D’ shaped shackles such as long reach shackles and chain shackles are not to be sideloaded. They are designed and rated for in-line applied tension. Therefore, the centerline of the load must coincide with the centerline of the shackle. Anchor body style shackles, such as screw pin style, or bolt nut cotter anchor body style, can be sideloaded. When performing this type of rigging, reductions in rating charts are to be referred to.
- The bow of the shackle should be put into the running side of a choke when a load is being secured
- Shackles must be equal to or larger than the wire rope diameter when a shackle with wire rope is being used
- When a shackle is being used with synthetic slings, it is to be ensured that the shackle is big enough to avoid pinching or binding of the sling.
- Shackles must not be subjected to low or high temperatures, which can affect thermal treatment and shackle strength. -4 degrees F to 400 degrees F is the operating range for full working load limits.
- Shackle pins must be properly engaged. Screw pin shackles must have threads that are fully engaged on the shackle ear, i.e. the pin must be flush with the outside of the shackle body or slightly past. The pinhead must contact the shackle body. Bolt nut and cotter shackles must have bolt and nut properly secured with the cotter pin attached.
- If the shackles remain in place as a semi-permanent application or if they are to suspend a load, bolt nut cotter anchor style shackles must be used. Screw pin shackles are used when shackles are removed after the lift is complete. If a screw pin shackle is being used to suspend loads for a length of time, it is advisable that the pin is tied off to the shackle’s body with wire.
Crosby is among the leading shackle manufacturers, with a wide variety of shackles such as screw pin bow shackle, nut and bolt shackle, screw pin D shackle, and nut and bolt D shackle.
Saudi Dutest is one of the leading Crosby shackles suppliers in Saudi Arabia. This lifting equipment includes a wide range of chain slings, wire rope slings, general lifting gears, shackles, webbing slings, and force measuring equipment.
