Rigging Hardware
Choosing the right rigging hardware is a critical component of an effective rig. Wrong equipment results in costly delays and equipment damage, not to mention the risk of fatal accidents.
Checking a product’s Working Load Limit (WLL) is an important first step in choosing the best rigging equipment for the job at hand. Also consider environmental factors like temperature.
Eye Bolts
Eye bolts are a versatile type of rigging hardware that features a threaded shank and an eye at one end. They can be attached to a wide range of materials and are used in a variety of ways for lifting, suspension and lashing. When selecting an eye bolt, it’s important to consider the load capacity and how it will be used. The eye diameter and the strength of the shank will also impact the bolt’s overall capabilities.
Stainless steel eye bolts maintain their resistance to corrosion even when scratched, dinged or otherwise damaged, making them ideal for demanding applications. They can be galvanized to provide additional protection against moisture and other environmental elements.
Lifting eye bolts (also known as turned eyes) feature a slightly open eye and work best for through-hole lashing or suspension applications within the appropriate working load limit. They can be paired with shackles to create a more secure attachment. These bolts should be loaded at a perpendicular angle to the eye axis, as loading them at an angular angle will significantly reduce their rated capacity.
Steel Nuts
Many types of steel nuts are used in rigging hardware. They come in a variety of sizes and are available with different coatings to suit your application. Steel is one of the most versatile and durable materials used in fasteners. It is also affordable and easy to work with, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of projects.
Rigging equipment is designed to handle heavy loads safely. It’s important to understand the working load limit (WLL) of each piece of hardware before using it with a load. The WLL of a piece of rigging is calculated based on its material, design, and testing.
A common way to reduce the risk of self-loosening is by using two thick nuts Rigging Hardware in a series. This technique is sometimes observed in old machinery and may seem counterintuitive at first glance. However, it’s not appropriate for all circumstances. Putting the thin nut on top of the standard nut is not as effective as it could be in some situations since there is little bolt extension between the two nuts, meaning that little locking effect is achieved.
Hooks
Rigging hooks come in a wide range of designs and capacities to handle lifting, pulling, binding, and secure load applications. They differ in throat opening design, strength, and capacity. Some rigging hooks have safety latches that allow users to connect, disconnect, or remove loads from the hooks without having to reach up high to open the latches. Others, like foundry hooks, are designed to be used without a latch because of the dangerous, high-heat environments where they are used.
Positioning swivel hooks are designed to rotate while attached to the load, helping prevent twisting of the sling and load. They can be used on single or multi-leg sling assemblies, and they should be used with an angle of 30deg-45deg to ensure that the load engages the hooks’ full throat depth.
Spreader Bars
Spreader bars are some of the most popular below the hook lifting devices in the industry. They consist of a bar with lifting lugs on the bottom that attach to lifting slings that attached to the load and help widen the available lift points for rigging loads. Unlike lifting beams, they redirect vertical lifting forces into compression and tensile force in the bar and the slings.
This arrangement helps reduce the stress on a single pick point and allows for more precise control of a load. It also allows for a direct upward hoist which eliminates the need for an angled pull in some situations.
It is important to remember that like all equipment used for rigging, spreader bars should be examined on a regular basis by trained professionals and not operated by anyone who hasn’t been properly trained. They should be inspected for damage, corrosion, distortion, loose or missing bolts or rivets, cracked wields and other flaws that could compromise the integrity of the device. They should also be kept in a secure and well-ventilated area that’s free of debris.
Pulleys & Blocks
Blocks and pulleys reduce the amount of force needed to lift heavy objects. Rigging Hardware Manufacturer A pulley is a grooved or toothed wheel that allows a cord to pass over it, redistributing the force of the load while increasing the mechanical advantage and speed of your hoist system. You can see blocks at work on cranes, engine hoists and sailboats. They can also be used in compound pulley systems, like a block and tackle or sheaves on a winch.
Snatch and flat block rigging blocks have a wheel on an axle designed to help you lift heavy items up to 30 tonne. These rigging tools give direction to the rope while loaded and allow you to increase the line pull or lifting capacity of a hoist or winch by multiplying lines.
The main difference between snatch and flat block rigging blocks is that a snatch block is constantly closed and requires you to thread the wired rope through it while a flat block is always open and allows you to attach your sling connections via carabiners or textiles (like loopies, dead-eye slings and whoopie). They are available in a wide variety of sizes including single and double pulley blocks and swivel blocks.