With the growing demand, global handling and lifting equipment marketing is expanding rapidly. According to Report Linker, it is poised to grow by $18.2 billion during 2023-2027, accelerating at a CAGR of 4.08%.

And one of the most commonly used lifting equipment is heavy-duty industrial shackles. Almost all rigging and lifting applications require industrial shackles. They provide safety when rigging and lifting heavy leads. This is critical to keep your crew and other people from getting hurt.

Table of Contents

  1. Understanding Different Parts of Shackles
  2. Understanding Different Types of Industrial Shackles
  1. D or Chain Shackles
  2. Anchor Shackles
  3. Bow Shackles
  4. Twist Shackles
  5. Wide Body Shackles

Understanding Different Parts of Shackles

You need to understand what a shackle is before you set out to buy it from an industrial chain shackles supplier. Usually, a shackle consists of four parts, including a bow, ears, pin, and shoulder. The bow is the curved shaped body of the shackle where the sling or chain gets attached.

The pin goes into the threaded parts called ears. The pin is the only detachable part of a typical industrial shackle. And the shoulder is a part of the pin. It’s a safety mechanism to keep the pin from coming to lose.

Understanding Different Types of Industrial Shackles

When you approach an industrial chain shackles supplier, you will come across different types of shackles. Let’s take a closer look at five types of industrial shackles.

1. D or Chain Shackles

The name for these industrial shackles is derived from their D-shaped design. The body is usually narrower than the bow or anchor-style industrial chain shackles. Plus, they have a threaded pin or pin close or a clevis-type pin.

As these heavy-duty industrial shackles are used in extreme conditions, they are usually made from stainless steel, zinc-plated steel, or galvanized steel. You can use these shackles to lift moderate to heavy loads in construction, manufacturing, and shipping. But there are a couple of things you must remember.

  • First, you will also need to consider the working load limit of each shackle before using it. The load can’t be higher than the working load limit.
  • Second, these industrial shackles are not suitable for sideloading. They are designed for bidirectional pull or in-line tension. When used for sideloading, the shackles can twist because the load puts significant stress on the bolt side.

2. Anchor Shackles

Anchor shackles and bow shackles are not the same, although people use these terms interchangeably. These industrial shackles have a larger rounded bow than chain shackles. This allows you to add angular loads to these shackles. However, consider the working load limit (WLL) and corresponding angle deviation.

As they are suitable for sideloading, these industrial chain shackles are frequently used in industrial, agricultural, and marine applications. These shackles come with crew pins, safety bolt pins, or clevis pins, making it easier to connect the load. And they are usually made from galvanized steel.

If you are going to use these heavy-duty industrial shackles for quick-release applications, choose screw pin or round pin shackles. But use a bolt-pin connector for overhead lifting applications and semi-permanent connections.

3. Bow Shackles

These industrial shackles are made from stainless steel and titanium because they are subject to heavy loads. Bow shackles have a much larger O-shaped body. Remember, they look a lot like anchor shackles. However, bow shackles are much more suitable for heavy-duty lifting and rigging applications.

These industrial chain shackles can handle multiple loads from different angles. It’s no surprise that industries like manufacturing, construction, shipping, oil and gas, and heavy engineering use these shackles regularly. Still, consult an industrial chain shackles supplier to check if these shackles are best suited for your lifting, rigging, and hoisting applications.

4. Twist Shackles

These heavy-duty industrial shackles can keep the load from twisting and getting kinked. If your rigging lines aren’t pulling straight, you may need to use twist shackles. These industrial shackles provide a 90-degree change in direction as their body has a 90-degree twist.

As twist shackles keep the attachment points perpendicular to each other, it’s more efficient and safer to move loads using these industrial shackles. As a result, you will see twist shackles on assembly lines, shipping yards, and manufacturing plants.

5. Wide Body Shackles

These heavy-duty industrial shackles are one of the most durable and versatile options. Wide body shackles can significantly improve sling life. You can use these shackles with high-strength web, round, and wire rope slings. They can also eliminate the need for a thimble. 

In other words, you can use these for industrial rigging and lifting applications involving tie-downs. Speak with an industrial chain shackles supplier to see if your rigging applications need wide-body shackles.

In Conclusion

Shackles are critical pieces of equipment in rigging and lifting assemblies. They help you connect heavy loads with ease and safety. In short, you have to choose the industrial shackles that best fit your requirements, including working load limits. Hopefully, this post will help you find what you need with ease.

Are you looking for shackles? Contact trusted industrial chain shackles suppliers like Elite Sales. Our experts can help you choose the best industrial hardware quickly and efficiently.  Call us today to know how we can help!