How to choose hooks and shackles for chains: capacity and marking

To lift a suspended load you need hooks, shackles and master links that are marked and certified, with a working load limit (WLL) at least equal to that of the chain or rope you connect them to. In the collection you will find pieces with a WLL from 0.33 t up to 55 t, so from light loads to heavy lifting. Snap hooks in brass or aluminium and hardware-store hooks, on the other hand, are fine for fastening, hanging and connecting, not for holding a load in the air.

The types

• Shackles: connect chain, rope or strap to the attachment point. You will find them galvanised or in the Green Pin D and bow versions, with a nut and split pin that lock the pin, such as the SpanSet Green Pin D shackle.
• Hooks: eye hooks with safety catch, clevis hooks, swivel hooks, self-locking hooks and shortening hooks. They are used to attach the load or to adjust the length of the chain leg. The SpanSet Exoset G100 series, for example, includes the self-locking swivel hook and the clevis shortening hook.
• Master links and connecting links: triple master links and connecting links, for joining several sling legs together or connecting different pieces.
• Snap hooks: in steel, stainless steel, brass or aluminium, including swivel and anti-panic types. They are connecting pieces for light use.
• Genoese chain, rope clips and pulleys: hardware-store chains and fittings, for tensioners, fencing and general attachments. Always check the marking before using them for lifting.

How to choose by job

The features to look at

• WLL (working load limit): the load the piece can carry in service. In the collection it ranges from 0.33 t to 55 t. It must be at least equal to that of the rest of the sling: the weakest piece determines the capacity of the whole assembly.
• Size: diameter of the chain or rope, pin pitch, opening. Accessories are matched to the size and grade of the chain.
• Standards: the data sheets list EN 1677 (components for steel slings), EN 13889 (shackles) and others. For lifting, choose pieces that carry them.
• Material and finish: steel, stainless steel, brass, galvanised, zinc-chromate, nickel-plated, anodised. The finish protects against corrosion, it does not change the capacity.
• Type of closure: spring safety catch, self-locking hook, pin with nut and split pin. For suspended loads the closure must be positive.

Common mistakes

• Using a hardware-store snap hook for lifting. Brass and aluminium are not designed for suspended loads.
• Not checking the capacity of the weakest link. A 2 t shackle on a 5 t chain limits everything to 2 t.
• Forgetting the split pin and nut. An unsecured pin unscrews with vibration.
• Keeping deformed or worn pieces in service. An opened hook, a bent pin or a stretched shackle must be discarded.
• Mixing different grades. Accessories and chain must be matched by grade as well as by diameter.

Frequently asked questions

Can a snap hook replace a hook for lifting?

Only if it is marked and certified for lifting. Snap hooks in brass, aluminium or from the hardware store are for light use.

How do I choose the capacity of a shackle?

Look at the load the sling leg has to carry and choose a shackle with a WLL equal to or higher than it. The value is marked on the body or given on the data sheet.

Is a hook with a safety catch or a self-locking one better?

The self-locking hook closes by itself and reduces the risk of accidental opening. The spring safety catch is the minimum to demand when the hook stays under tension or moves.

When is stainless steel worth it?

When the piece is outdoors, in damp environments or in contact with water. For lifting, always check the declared capacity as well.

You will find the whole range in the Chains and Accessories collection: if you have doubts about capacity and combinations, ask the AMES technicians for a quotation or advice.