What is a load shackle?

A load shackle offers an integrated approach to load monitoring. A load shackle is essentially the installation of a load monitoring pin into the shackle body allowing you to replace existing rigging hardware with a load cell. Shackles generally reduce rig length by approximately one third versus load links - which require additional rigging shackles to insert into the lifting arrangement - and are therefore an ideal solution for low-headroom lifts and load tests.

Our monitoring shackles are available with our advanced SmartLoad® technology for range of applications in both safe area, hazardous areas, subsea environments and high temperature environments depending on the model selected.

Scotload load monitoring shackles are available in capacities up to 1,000 tonnes. Wireless load monitoring shackles with capacities up to 200 tonnes are available online at scotload-direct.com. For other variants, larger capacities or bespoke solutions, please contact us for more information.

Why are they used?

Scotload’s shackles provide an accurate and reliable measure of tensile loads in harsh and challenging environments. Unlike load links which work in tension, load shackles work in shear. Strain gauges are mounted within a bore down the centreline of the pin, in line with two shear grooves on the outside of the pin. This then provides a loading area in which the shear force is utilised to determine the force (load applied).

Our shackles have gone through multiple testing scenarios to ensure they offer dependable weighing solutions across a wide variety of tensile load operations. They feature a stainless steel pin with a load bobbin design to centralise the load for accurate monitoring.

Load shackles are designed to accurately monitor loads when conducting lifting and weighing applications much like a load link. The fundamental difference between a load link and shackle is that the load monitoring shackle replaces existing rigging hardware, meaning little or no modifications are required to existing rigging arrangements - offering an ideal solution for low-headroom lifts and load tests.

Advantages of Scotload’s load shackles

Fully welded and hermetically sealed stainless steel construction provides an airtight seal, with internal gauging and a stainless steel centralising load bobbin offers a robust and reliable design for accurate load monitoring.

Our wireless load shackles utilise an internal antenna, which transmits data up to a distance of 250m for additional protection and is offered as standard with our SmartLoad® technology.

Unlike many other designs, our SmartLoad® load shackles are provided as standard with a stainless steel pin and protection cage for securing the electronics, which can be otherwise be often damaged in rigging and lifting applications.

The SmartLoad® load shackle is available in capacities from 8.5T up to 2000T and can be supplied with a range of options and accessories. All SmartLoad® load shackles come with a new calibration certificate, one year’s manufacturer warranty, user manual and USB base station, to provide you with everything you need to start your operations right out of the box.

Where are load shackles used?

Scotload shackles are designed for use in compact lifting and weighing applications where there is limited manoeuvrability in harsh and challenging areas, including marine, offshore and subsea environments.  

Due to its ability to replace existing rigging hardware with load monitoring capabilities, it is ideal for indoor overhead cranes, BOP tests and other offshore load testing applications where space is limited.  

What are hazardous area load shackles?

Hazardous area load shackles remove the potential risk of ignition within flammable environments. Hazardous area equipment requires specialised certification and comes in a range of zone categories that determine the level of persisting flammable gases.

In environments where there is a posed threat of flammable or explosive gases, hazardous load shackles are available to ensure maximum safety to your workforce.

Equipment is typically categorised into the below zones of hazardous or non-hazardous environments, depending on the level of persistence the flammable gas has.

Zone 0: Explosive gasses are present continuously and for long durations.

Zone 1: Explosive gasses are likely to be present, but only persist intermittently.

Zone 2: Explosive gasses are unlikely to be present, but have the potential to persist for short durations.

Non-hazardous area: Explosive gasses are expected to be present.

Scotload supplies zone 1 and zone 2 hazardous area certified wireless shackles, available with its innovative SmartLoad® wireless monitoring technology. To purchase a hazardous area load shackle, get in touch with the team today.

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