Shackles
At CERTEX Danmark A/S, we have a wide selection of shackles from well-known suppliers such as Van Beest, Crosby and Yoke, as well as our brand POWERTEX. We offer shackles in a variety of sizes and dimensions. If you don't find what you're looking for, please don't hesitate to contact us. We will work together to find a suitable product for you, and if it's not in our standard range, we'll manufacture it ourselves. See how it is done here.
What is a shackle?
A shackle is a unit used within the lifting equipment sector. Overall, it consists of a curved part and a pin used for closing the shackle. The pin can be either a screw pin or a safety bolt with a nut and pin.
The shackle is used in static lifting systems as a removable link to join items such as steel wire ropes, chains, webbing slings, round slings, and other fittings, or to secure an item. Shackles are most often made of metal, in various grades (where grades 6 and 8 are the most common in our range), and with different surface treatments such as powder coating or galvanisation.
There are also shackles made of the stainless-steel material AISI 316. Please note that not all shackles are approved for lifting. These are referred to as “commercial shackles” and they are not marked. If a shackle is approved for lifting, it is marked with its WLL (Working Load Limit), manufacturer's ID, steel grade, and other relevant information.
Shackle types
Shackles are divided into two main categories: one type is called a bow shackle, and the other a D-shackle. A shackle with a bow offers more freedom of movement and is commonly used in multi-part lifting slings, where its function is to join two slings in the hook of a lifting device. Shackles with a wide bow (also known as Wide Body shackles) have a wider contact area. They are recommended for use with textile slings to provide higher safety, protection against wear and tear, and to maintain the sling's strength.
A D-shaped shackle is mainly used for single-part slings and loads in straight lifts.
Which shackle should I choose?
When choosing your shackle, it is not so much the shape of the shackle that matters, but the application you intend to use it for. It is also about how the shackle is “closed”.
If you need to remove the shackle regularly, choose one with a screw pin. Make sure the screw pin is screwed correctly into the thread. If the screw pin is damaged, the product should not be used.
If, on the other hand, you have an almost permanent connection, a shackle with a safety bolt and pin is preferred. Make sure that the bolt is screwed on correctly and secured with the pin.
If your shackle is intended for lifting, ensure it is approved for this purpose. Always pay attention to the shackle's WLL. If it is exposed to lateral loads (which should be avoided as much as possible), the WLL must be reduced.
To avoid uneven loading on the shackle when lifting, loose spacer rings can be used on the pin - these are placed on each side of the hook. This centres the load, protects the shackle and provides a safer lift.
Shackle inspection
Remember that shackles, like all other lifting equipment, must be inspected regularly, at least once a year, per the Danish Labour Inspectorate's Executive Order No. 428.
It is also possible to rent shackles from us.
