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When it comes to lifting and rigging operations, selecting the appropriate hardware is essential to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance with industry standards. Hooks, links, and swivels are crucial components in any rigging setup, each serving specific functions and applications. Understanding the different types available and their respective uses can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your lifting operations.

Types of Lifting Hardware

1. Shackles

Shackles are one of the most commonly used components in lifting and rigging. These robust connectors are designed to form secure connections between chain or wire rope slings, synthetic slings, lifting chains, ropes, and other lifting devices, allowing for efficient load handling and movement.

There are two primary types of shackles:

  • Anchor (Bow) Shackles – With a wider, rounded "O" shape, anchor shackles offer greater versatility and are ideal for multi-directional loads or where multiple slings connect at a single point.
  • Chain (Dee) Shackles – Narrower in profile, chain shackles are suited for straight-line pulls and single-connection lifts.

Shackles can be secured using either screw pins (easier to install and remove) or safety pins (more secure for permanent or vibration-prone applications).

These components are used across various industries, including construction, marine, mining, and heavy manufacturing. They are available in different load ratings and materials, often galvanised or alloy steel, and must be selected carefully to suit the load capacity and conditions of the lift.

Grade S Shackles are a rated shackle that come in both Bow and Dee configurations and meet the requirement of AS 2741. Grade S Shackles are the most common shackles used in lifting applications, with a high strength to size ratio.

2. Eye Bolts and Hoist Rings

Eye bolts are threaded fasteners with a circular eye at one end, commonly used as a lifting point on equipment, machinery, or structural elements. They're simple, reliable, and cost-effective for vertical lifting, but it’s important to note that standard eye bolts are designed for straight-line lifting only.

When lifting at angles or when load movement is expected, hoist rings offer a safer alternative. Unlike fixed eye bolts, hoist rings can swivel and pivot, aligning with the direction of the pull and reducing stress on both the bolt and the object being lifted.

This movement allows for greater flexibility and reduces the risk of failure due to bending or side-loading—making hoist rings a preferred choice in dynamic or multi-directional lifting environments.

Both options must be properly torqued and matched to the load requirements, with care taken to select bolts with appropriate threading, material strength, and design for the job.

3. Turnbuckles

Turnbuckles are essential tensioning tools in both temporary and permanent rigging systems. Designed with a central metal frame and threaded terminals (typically eye, hook, or jaw fittings) on either end, turnbuckles allow users to adjust the length and tension of wire ropes, cables, chains, or rods by simply rotating the body.

Their main use is to fine-tune alignment and tension within a load-bearing system. For example, in a structural application, a turnbuckle can be used to draw two anchor points closer together or provide slack relief when aligning trusses or framework.
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About Bunzl Safety and Lifting

Bunzl Safety and Lifting offers an integrated approach to the selection, supply, service, and replacement of safety products, resulting in our ability to manage the complete life cycle of your personal and workplace safety requirements. Bunzl Safety and Lifting is a leading manufacturer of safety products, we provide the very best in workwear, corporate wear, PPE, footwear, materials handling, load restraint, and recovery,height safety, and site safety. We are also a leading supplier of some of the best industrial safety brands on the market, including Mack, Ninja, Contego, Boomerang, Beaver, B-Safe, WS Workwear, Frontier, Black Rat, Robertsons, 3M, Honeywell, Ansell, Bolle Safety, DuPont, Donaghys, MSA, Moldex, Steel Blue, Oliver, uvex, Sqwincher, MaxiFlex, DNC Workwear, Mayo Hardware, Gunnebo Industries, Skylotech and Blundstone. We also offer a range of services including product specialisation and consolidation, custom embroidery and branding, lifting equipment and inspections, NATA Accredited testing and services, height safety installed systems and training, managed inventory, eCommerce and digital solutions, clothing fitouts and yearly uniform issues, ethical sourcing, Indigenous Engagement, and environmental responsibility. We have an Australia-wide network of branches that ensures fast shipping across the country.

Bunzl Brands & Operations Pty Ltd (BBO) located at 55 Sarah Andrews Close Erskine Park NSW 2579 quality scope covers: manufacturing, importing, wholesaling, repairing and testing of lifting, rigging equipment, winches, hoists and materials handling products. The manufacture of synthetic slings and webbing products including load restraint and height safety equipment. Manufacture, import, wholesale and distribution of PPE products, workwear and hand tools. Design and development of products and services and the provision of mechanical testing services.