How to Choose the Right Shackles for Rigging

Shackles for rigging connect loads for lifting or pulling using heavy equipment to move the load. These essential parts make it possible to move heavy or bulky loads to different vertical heights or across long distances.

What Is a Rigging Shackle?

Shackles consist of a U-shaped or horseshoe-shaped link secured with a pin. In proper rigging with shackles, chains, straps, and other rigging formations load onto the shackle before the rigger secures the load with the pin.

The type of shackles for each load could be different based on the shackles rigging configuration. When choosing your rigging types of shackles, know what you’re lifting. A bow or anchor shackle is best suited for multi-sling loads or side-loading, while a single-sling load would work better on a chain or D shackle.

How Many Different Types of Shackles Are There?

There are many different types of rigging shackles, as well as different rigging shackle sizes and pins.

Chain Shackle vs. Anchor Shackle (D Shackle vs. Bow Shackle)

Chain shackles, or D shackles, feature a U-shaped loop for loading. These shackles are best suited for straight loads using a single strap. For multi-strap or wide-strap loads, the rounded anchor or bow shackle can better accommodate the load.

Shackle Pin Types: Screw Pin Shackles vs. Bolt-Type Shackles

Screw pin shackles are fast and easy to remove and replace for frequent loading and unloading. They are not suitable for permanent or long-term loading. Bolt-type shackles (safety pin shackles) feature a bolt, nut, and cotter design and are suitable for axial and torsion loading. They are best for applications where pin removal is infrequent, and can withstand long-loading applications.

Shackle Materials: Stainless Steel vs. Galvanized Shackles

Galvanized shackles offer a thin exterior layer of zinc oxide to protect the steel interior from corrosion or oxidation. This material is better for operations located far away from heavy moisture or high humidity. Stainless steel is better for high humidity or moisture, such as in marine work.

Snap Shackles

Snap shackles have much lower limits for load weights and are not suitable for heavy-duty applications. Instead, snap shackles are best in settings where speed is essential in frequent connecting and disconnecting between loads.

Rules for the Safe Use of Shackles

A supervisor with the appropriate shackle rigging safety training and certifications should oversee all loading, lifting, moving, and unloading of a load when using shackles for rigging. Additionally, a certified rigging safety supervisor should know which shackles are safe for lifting, pulling, and overhead work. For example, there is a type of shackle that uses a round pin that is not suitable for overhead lifting.

Other rules include:

• Always inspect shackles and slings before loading
• Don’t shock load
• Remove damaged shackles or shackles where the capacity isn’t legible from service immediately
• Use an appropriately sized shackle for the sling and load

Shackles for Rigging: Contact Greenshields for All Your Rigging Needs

When looking for shackles for rigging, turn to the parts suppliers at Greenshields Industrial Supply. We’ve been helping our neighbors find the right parts for over 60 years.Contact us today to inquire about rigging shackles.