Posted on March 11, 2021 David Sherman
Within commercial construction, material handling, and other industries in which large and heavy objects are transported, rigging equipment is always involved. Coming in the form of cranes, hooks, shackles, wire ropes, and other similar equipment pieces, rigging hardware allows for workers to transport materials in a much safer and efficient way as compared to more manual means. With the benefits that rigging equipment can bring to a workplace, one should always be aware of common devices and how they are used when working in such industries.
The crane is one of the most basic equipment pieces for rigging, and it is what allows for most objects to be lifted. As machines that may be equipped with various rigging devices, cranes are used in order to lift and lower objects horizontally. As cranes can come in a variety of configurations, each with their own capabilities and ratings, it is important to be aware of what is needed for a given operation before making a decision. Generally, the most important factors that will dictate the capabilities of a crane are its capacity, weight limits, height limits, and horizontal reach. Once a crane has been narrowed down, one should also consider the fact that all following parts need to be compatible with the chosen crane.
Between the crane and the load, it is lifting is the rigging hook. As a component often forged from alloy steel, such rigging devices may come in a variety of types including those such as automatic, eye, clevis, swivel, and chain hooks. Depending on the intended use of the hook and what materials may need to be lifted, hooks will often come in a variety of sizes that are based on the opening of the component.
Shackles are the rigging tool that serves as the main connecting link for the entire assembly. With shackles, a variety of components can quickly be interchanged as needed to accommodate different materials. Additionally, shackles are often used when loads exceed 6,000 pounds, and they are the most common type of fittings used for rigging applications. Due to the design of shackles and their separable rigging pins, slings, cables, ropes, and other connections can easily be made. Generally, the most commonly used industrial rigging shackles include anchor, long-reach, chain, bow, and D shackle types.
When objects have large dimensions, using a rigging device such as a wire rope, nylon sling, and/or spreader bar can be beneficial for ensuring a secure attachment and lift. With wire ropes and nylon slings in particular, connections can be secured on larger objects in a variety of ways to make an optimal attachment. For the wire ropes of rigging equipment, such components are constructed of carbon or stainless steel rope strands that encapsulate a core. As such, they can take on a wide range of capacities with their strength. Spreader bars are more modular in their lifting approach, coming in various styles dictated by the requirements of the application. As spreader bars are most often used to distribute loads more evenly, they are typically paired with wire ropes and nylon slings for hoisting.
Beyond such equipment, a number of other rigging devices may be used to facilitate easier lifting operations. If you are in need of top quality rigging equipment from leading global manufacturers, ASAP Supply Chain is your sourcing solution with our unrivaled inventory of parts. Whether you are looking to purchase a rigging brush, wire rope, or any other component, we provide customers competitive pricing and unmatched service for their procurement ease. Peruse our offered listings today, and our team of industry experts are readily available 24/7x365 to assist you through the purchasing process as necessary.
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