CROSBY SHACKLES
Crosby shackles are a popular option for lifting applications. Time-tested and work proven, Crosby has made their mark in rigging—they’ve produced the first wire rope clip, quench and temper fittings (this makes performance more reliable) and were the first to fatigue-rate products. Their shackles are particularly popular – read on to learn more about Crosby shackles and how to use them safely, a handy interactive inspection checklist and more tips for best use.
CROSBY SHACKLES: 3 MAIN SHACKLE TYPES
Round pin shackles can be used for lifting applications and others like tie down, towing or suspension applications when the load’s strictly applied in-line.
Screw pin shackles are used for pick and place applications. Pick and place applications are when a load is moved to its desired location, and the screw pin is tightened before each pick.
Bolt-type shackles can be used in any applications that round pin or screw pin shackles are used. They’re also great for long-term or permanent installations where the load may slide on the pin, which causes it to rotate. The other way to secure a shackle includes using a nut and cotter, which eliminates the need for you to tighten the pin before each lift or movement.
CROSBY SHACKLES: USE THEM SAFELY
Before you put your Crosby shackle in service, make sure your shackle’s in good condition. To do so, look for these conditions:
- The shackle’s pin works freely and fits correctly.
- The pins are undamaged, have no considerable wear and fit properly from the opposite side of the shackle.
- The load line and jaw opening are aligned.
- The pin is always seated and is ‘matched’ to the body.
- The shackle is the right material, size and type for the proposed lift.
- Shackles are stored in a dry, cool place.
CROSBY SHACKLES: INSPECTION
It’s important to inspect your rigging equipment frequently. Ideally, this happens before use, during (check for points of stress or tension during use) and after use. Inspection is important to prevent equipment failure, which can lead to damaging the load entirely, or worse—injure or kill workers’.
Check your shackle before use. If any of these conditions are present, remove your shackle from service and have it inspected, repaired or replaced.
- The shackle’s jaws or pins are distorted.
- The shackle isn’t stamped with is safe-working load (SWL).
- The shackle is home-made (never use homemade shackles).
- The shackle’s pin does not work freely, or fit correctly in the shackle’s opening.
- The pins’ threads are damaged, worn down or don’t easily screw in from the opposite side of the shackle.
- The unthreaded hole is enlarged – a hole too big places unnecessary strain on the loaded shackle.
- The shackle has wear that’s reduced its diameter by more than 8% of its original diameter. To test for cracks that may be hidden, tap them with a hammer. A shackle in good-condition should ‘ring’ clearly.
- The shackle’s pin has been replaced, especially if it’s been replaced with anything but a pin.
CROSBY SHACKLES: USE THEM SAFELY OR NOT AT ALL
There are a few things to keep in mind when using shackles for securing and lifting applications.
- When you use shackles in conjunction with multi-leg slings, you must give consideration to the angle between the legs of the sling.
- As the angle increases, so does the load in the sling leg, and as a consequence, any shackle attached to the leg.
- Try to avoid erratic loading of the shackle – to do this, place a loose spacer on either end of the shackle’s pin, or use a shackle with a smaller jaw.
- If using a shackle to secure the top block of a rope block set, the load on the shackle is increased by the value of the hoisting effort.
- Take care to make sure the shackle and assembly above the hook is the right capacity.
- It’s important that on shackles fitted with a nut and bolt pin, the length of the bolt’s plain portion will cause the nut to jam on the inner end of the thread, and not on the shackle’s eye. This leaves the bolt free to rotate.
- Be sure the bolt and nut are cross-drilled for the fitting of a split cotter pin.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CROSBY PRODUCTS,
CHECK OUT OUR BLOGS:
GUEST BLOG: CROSBY TALKS FORGED WIRE ROPE CLIPS VS MALLEABLE CAST IRON CLIPS
RIGGING HARDWARE WE LOVE: CROSBY® 4-50 CLIP APPLICATIONS