Everything you Need to Know About Lifting Shackles

Lifting shackles are critical components for safe and efficient lifting operations. Lifting shackles are designed and tested to specific working load limits (WLL). The WLL indicates the maximum load that a shackle can safely handle under normal operating conditions. It's super important to choose a shackle with an appropriate WLL to ensure safe lifting operations.

The Different Types of Lifting Shackles:

Dee Shackles (D-Shackles):

These shackles have a "D" or "U" shape, with a straight, flat-sided body and a rounded or curved pin. They are widely used for lifting, connecting chains, and attaching ropes or cables. If lifting in a vertical, straight lift then a D Shackle would be suitable.

Bow Shackles:

Bow shackles resemble the letter "O" or the bow of a bow and arrow. They have a wider body with a larger loop area, allowing for greater range of motion and rotational movement. Bow shackles are suitable for applications that require pivoting or rotating loads. A bow shackle permits angled loading so if needing to load at an angle, a bow shackle should be used.

The Difference Between Safety Bolt Shackles and Screw Pin Shackles:

Safety Bolt Shackles:

Mainly used for Permanent or Long Term Operations

Screw Pin Shackles:

Used for Non Permanent Applications, installed quickly and removed regularly

Additional Safety Tips:

• Before each use, always inspect shackles for any signs of damage, wear, or any deformities. Check for the WLL markings.
• Choose an appropriate type and size of shackle which is most applicable to the job. Other factors to consider are the angle of the lift, environmental conditions and the weight of the load.
• Never exceed the WLL of a shackle and always distribute the load evenly across the shackles body and pin.

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