Different Types of Rigging Hardware
Rigging hardware can help reduce the force required for lifting heavy equipment. It comes in various sizes and works with different types of equipment. It can also be rented to avoid the cost of buying it outright.
Eye bolts act as anchor points and are available in shoulder and straight patterns. They come with a variety of steel nuts including wing, dome and hex nuts.
Eye Bolts
Eye bolts are used to support ropes, cables and chains. They come in different materials, fabrications, fastening types and shoulder designs to suit specific applications. Choose eye bolts with adequate working load limits (WLL) rated for your intended weight of lift.
The WLL is affected by several design elements, including the bolt’s thread size and shank length. The angle at which you’ll be lifting can also decrease the WLL. For example, an eye bolt with a shank diameter of 1/2 inch may only be able to support up to 600lbs of vertical lift. However, if loaded at 15 degrees of an angular pull, the load capacity drops to 480lbs.
Chain Shackles
Many different types of shackles exist, but they all are designed to attach lifting slings, wire rope and chain for various rigging jobs. Some shackles have removable pins that make them ideal for quick connections and disconnections in “pick and lift” scenarios.
Screw Pin Shackles are well suited for temporary applications where the load may not move significantly enough to rotate the pin and back it out of the threading. They are also great for semi-permanent installations if the pin is secured in place with a cotter pin.
Bolt type shackles use a threaded bolt and nut to connect the eye and pin. They are better suited for permanent or long-term installations, especially when there is a risk of the pin rotating under load.
Blocks & Pulleys
Blocks and pulleys are essential parts of any rigging system that relies on rope or wire to lift heavy objects. These tools redirect the force of a line and reduce the amount of effort needed to lift the load.
When used together, they Rigging Hardware can be even more effective. By combining a fixed pulley with a movable one of a different diameter, they can create mechanical advantage.
Snatch block pulleys are a great example of this principle. They have a sheave, two side plates, and an end fitting that’s either a hook with a latch or a clevis pin. Be sure to inspect these parts regularly for wear and tear.
Steel Nuts
Nuts are used to fasten hardware for different rigging applications. They can be found in a variety of sizes and thread types. Some of these nuts are made of stainless steel and have a hex, dome, or wing configuration. Others are hot dipped galvanized.
There are many reasons to use two nuts on a bolt, but one of the most common is to prevent self-loosening. This is a common practice that can be seen on historic machinery. It involves putting a thin nut on first and then tightening the thick nut over it. This technique isn’t foolproof but it does achieve some locking effect. If this is important then specific procedures must be followed to ensure that the rig remains safe.
Eye Hooks
Eye bolts are one of the most commonly used pieces of rigging hardware. They are easy to use and extremely versatile, but they must be properly used to avoid damage, failure, and injuries.
Regular eye bolts should only be used in vertical techniques and shouldered eye bolts should be used for angular lifting and loading. Shouldered eye bolts are more durable and better suited for angular loads. They are forged and may have collars to prevent the eye from bending or deforming under heavy loads. Never shim an eye bolt and always use a swivel hoist ring for angled lifts. Always inspect and clean threads and receiving holes prior to use.
Swivel Hooks
These swivel hooks allow the shackle to rotate, or swivel, during lifting to help prevent kinks. They have a lubricated bearing within a bushing with end fittings attached to each side.
These are often used in industrial settings, especially warehouses and manufacturing plants. They are able to handle large capacities and feature a clevis pin for fast and secure connection.
While swivels can be useful, they are not recommended for texas rigs and other lures as they add another point of failure to the rig. It’s best to revert back to using a Palomar knot for these types of applications. Swivels can also affect the action of a bait and increase the likelihood of line twist.
S Hooks
S hooks are used in industrial warehouse applications, but they’re just as popular for DIY Rigging Hardware Manufacturer home and office projects. Installing a rod above a desk gives you more room to work while keeping your tools organized and accessible.
This kitchen idea uses s-hooks to suspend cooking utensils, clearing up counter space for more efficient work. The s-hooks also add a touch of industrial flair to this lovely kitchen.
Rigging equipment and supplies must be inspected properly to avoid malfunctions and failures. The proper use and handling of these products can dramatically reduce rigging hazards and prevent damage to property and personnel. Below-the-Hook lifting devices that are custom fabricated for unique or complex load requirements should be designed, tested and certified by a qualified person.
Slip Hooks
Using the right hook for each task helps ensure that the working load limit (WLL) of your equipment is never exceeded. Knowing the potential that each design offers will also help you choose the best component to accomplish a safe lift.
Clevis slip hooks are designed to let chain slip through them. They are commonly used in a variety of chain and wire rope slings.
While the open design of a grab hook makes them one of a kind, they are not designed for overhead lifting applications. Their safety latch, however, makes them safer than standard slip hooks in material handling applications. They are also more resistant to twisting than their equivalents.