We’re back with more inspection tips and procedures, but this time we’re focusing on rigging hardware, including CM shackles, LiftAll’s slings (Steelflex and Tuflex) and wire rope, CM trolleys, and Chicago Hardware turnbuckles. All of these essential production items can be found at our online shop for easily stocking. Let’s jump in!
CM Shackles
(Carbon Steel Shackles, Theatrical Shackles)
- Shackles should be visually inspected before each use in line with ASME B30.26 regulations
- Shackles must be properly used to avoid damage and wear. Remember, the WLL is reduced depending on the angle your hanging load is pulling. Always refer to a competent and skilled rigger if there is any doubt on proper installation.
Shackles should be discarded from use if any of the following conditions are visible:
- Any parts are worn more than 10% of the original dimensions
- Load bearing components are bent, twisted, distorted, stretched, elongated, cracked, or broken
- Excessive pitting, corrosion, nicks or gouges
- Indication of heat damage
- Missing or illegible manufacturer’s name or trademark, WLL or size
- Load pins have bent or have visible damaged threads
- Cotter pins or hairpin retainers are damaged
The use of shackles in rigging is extremely common, and must be installed correctly each time for safety. Never hang something if you have any doubt on the correct protocol and technique that you should follow.
Download CM’s Shackle Information Sheet (.pdf)
LiftAll Roundslings
- Each new sling must be inspected upon arrival to ensure the sling is undamaged and meets applicable requirements for its intended use
- Slings must be inspected before each day or shift in normal service conditions
- Slings must be inspected “periodically” by a competent person separate from the person performing the frequent inspection
- For normal usage, inspect yearly
- For severe service, inspect monthly to quarterly
- Steelflex feature an inspection window to allow for complete core inspection
- Use, Care, and Inspection Requirement sheet is included with each sling
LiftAll slings should be discarded from use if any of the following conditions are visible:
- A rated capacity tag is missing or illegible
- Exposure of red core warning yarn (on applicable slings containing red core warning yarn)
- Broken or worn threads in the stitch patterns
- Knots in any part of the sling
- Any evidence of heat or chemical damage, including melting or charring
- Metal fittings that are cracked, deformed, pitted, corroded, or excessively worn
- Any other visible damage which causes doubt as to the sling strength
Competent inspectors and workers should asses the overall effects of all damage present on a sling in order to determine if a particular sling passes or fails inspection. Ideally, slings should be taken out of service before the total amount of damage, caused by all degrading factors, results in a total strength loss of not more than approximately 20%. We trust slings in our lifting applications, and there’s no wiggle room when dealing with proper material handling. Training is important to make sure your crew is educated on the proper usage of slings in rigging applications.
Download LiftAll’s Sling Inspection Sheet (.pdf)
LiftAll Wire Rope
- Each new wire rope sling must be inspected upon arrival to ensure the sling is undamaged and meets applicable requirements for its intended use
- Wire rope slings must be inspected before each day or shift in normal service conditions
- Wire rope slings must be inspected “periodically” by a competent person separate from the person performing the frequent inspection
- For normal usage, inspect yearly
- For severe service, inspect monthly to quarterly
Remove wire rope slings from service if any of the following conditions are visible:
- Capacity information is missing or illegible
- End attachments, including hooks, are cracked, deformed, or obviously worn
- Hook throat opening is increased more than 15%
- Hook is twisted out of plane by more than 10%
- Broken wires – when 10 or more broken wires in one rope lay or 5 ot more broken wires in one strand of one rope lay
- Corrosion/heat damage – absence of lubrication and discoloration of rope
- Wear – flat areas on individual wires; when wires have lost 1/3 or more of their original diameter
- Kinking, bird-caging – bent strands of wire or strands standing out from regular position in the body of the sling
- Crushing – section of rope is flattened, where the cross section is no longer round
Download LiftAll’s Wire Rope Inspection Sheet (.pdf)
Turnbuckles
- All turnbuckles are to be inspected at least once a year by a surveyor for proper functioning and damages
- Turnbuckles should be checked visually every day during use
- Turnbuckles should be taken apart at least every 4 years by a specialist for inspection of wear, hidden damages, or cracks
- If possible, turnbuckles should be tested by an authorized testing body every 4 years
Remove turnbuckles from service if any of the following conditions are visible:
- All markings are not legible
- Threads of the pin and/or body are damaged
- The body and pin are distorted or unduly worn
- Turnbuckle has been modified, repaired, or reshaped by heating (will affect working load limit)
Always use turnbuckles properly and within their denoted working load limit. As all rigging hardware and rigging applications, trained supervisors and workers must have an expert knowledge on proper installation and inspection to ensure safety.
CM Ball Bearing Trolley
(Models CBTP and CBTG)
- Thorough inspection is recommended at regular intervals which are determined by each user. Each application has different factors, such as duty cycle and environmental conditions that will dictate the maintenance requirements.
- During inspection, the entire trolley should be inspected for wear or for damage caused by severe overloading or impact with other objects.
- Make sure to check the trolley’s motion along the runway beam to verify proper operation
- Replace all damaged parts before bringing the inspected trolley back into use
Lubrication Recommendations
- ¼ through 5 ton trolleys are built with sealed, life-time lubricated precision ball bearings that shouldn’t require further lubrication
- Periodic lubrication of the geared trolley drive shaft support block is recommended; apply a small amount of medium grade motor oil in the oil hole provided in the top of the drive shaft support block
Download CBT Trolley Sheet (.pdf)
CM Series 632 Trolley
- The inspection of the CM Series 632 trolley should be conducted coincident with the hoist it is operated with
- At a minimum, the trolley load bar and track wheels should be inspected monthly
- Always check the trolley load bar, and once it is observed to have worn past 15% of the original stock dimension, you must replace it before usage
- Inspect the trolley wheels for any visual indication of fractures at the transition of the flange and tread sections
With any trolley, it is important to know your load limits, and never overload the trolley past its capacity. Always follow proper adjustment protocol and installation steps.
Download CM Series 632 Product Sheet (.pdf)
Thanks for reading our Gear Inspection Tips Blog Series. If you missed it, check out Part 1 where we cover a variety of fall protection and safety gear (inspection sheets, guidelines, and documents from the manufacturer available for easy download). These posts are only published for informational use and as a helpful resource, and not as a legal document in any way. With any piece of equipment, always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, as well as OSHA and ANSI standards. Our rigging department can help you with any questions regarding the proper inspection techniques or frequency of inspection. Call us at 570 826 5566.
