Lifting Shackles

Lifting Shackles for Rigging and Load Securing

Lifting shackles are the connecting hardware of any rigging system, joining slings, chains, and wire ropes to hooks, lifting points, and to each other. AIMS Industrial stocks bow and dee shackles from Austlift, Yoke, and SY Chain across a range of working load limits — from light rigging hardware through to high-tensile Grade T shackles for demanding overhead lift and load-restraint applications. All shackles are manufactured to recognised international standards with independently verified working load limit ratings.

Bow Shackles and Dee Shackles

The two fundamental shackle shapes serve different rigging purposes. Bow shackles have a wide, rounded body that accepts loads from multiple directions and is the correct choice for multi-leg sling assemblies, sling terminations, and lifting points where the load direction may vary from the pin axis. Dee shackles have a narrower D-shaped body intended for in-line loads where the shackle will not be side-loaded. Using the correct body shape for the rigging geometry prevents the side-loading conditions that significantly reduce a shackle's effective working load limit and create failure risk.

Working Load Limits and Grade

Shackles are rated by working load limit expressed in tonnes. Grade S shackles — the standard commercial grade — are forged from carbon steel and suitable for the majority of general rigging and load-restraint applications. Grade T shackles are manufactured from higher-tensile alloy steel, providing a higher WLL from a smaller, lighter body — preferred for overhead lifting where minimising rigging weight and maximising usable headroom are important. WLL markings on the shackle body must be clearly legible before use; retire any shackle with illegible, damaged, or deformed markings immediately.

Screw Pin vs Bolt and Nut Shackles

Screw pin shackles are the most widely used type for general rigging. The pin threads into the shackle body and is secured by thread engagement, with mousing wire applied for additional security on critical lifts. Bolt and nut (safety pin) shackles replace the screw pin with a through-bolt secured by a hex nut and split pin, preventing pin rotation under dynamic loads or in applications where the shackle rotates during use. Specify bolt and nut shackles for overhead crane lifting, multi-leg sling assemblies, and any application where vibration or load movement could unseat a screw pin.

Inspection and Compliance

Australian lifting equipment regulations require regular inspection of lifting shackles by a competent person. Before each lift, inspect shackles visually for deformation, cracks, wear at pin and bow contact points, and corrosion that may have compromised the steel. Never use a bent, cracked, or overloaded shackle — replace it. For shackle specifications, compliance requirements, or volume supply for lifting and rigging operations, contact our team at AIMS Industrial.