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Rigging never stays simple: loads fight back, angles drift, and hardware sees shock and abrasion. You win that fight when you treat chain rigging accessories as levers of control—each part adds a function, changes geometry, or tightens traceability. This guide maps the accessory families, shows how to match grades and sizes, explains when to allow rotation, and lists quick inspections you can finish before the first pick. Use it to stage smarter, rig faster, and document every decision with clear marks.
Think in functions, not catalog pages:
Head connectors (master links, sub-assemblies): attach the sling to the crane hook and define how the head behaves under motion.
End connectors (self-locking hooks, sling hooks, foundry hooks): engage the load fast and secure it through bumps and wind.
Adjusters (grab/shortening hooks, adjustable heads): trim leg length and reopen tight angles without a re-rig.
Interface hardware (bow/D shackles, coupling links): bridge padeyes, lift points, and different geometries while you keep a straight load path.
Rotation control (in-line swivels): let the load spin in line when the travel path demands it; stop torsion from building in the system.
Protection (edge guards, wear sleeves): shield crowns and corners so chain survives sharp radii and rough steel.
Read metal, not paint. Links carry grade and size; hooks, shackles, master links, and swivels show WLL, size, and maker ID. Keep every part in the same grade family (e.g., Grade 80 or Grade 100), and cap capacity at the smallest WLL in the path. Photograph stamps and the sling tag; file those images with the lift sheet so audits stay short.
Accessory | What it controls | Best jobs | Sizing cue you verify |
Master link / sub-assembly | Head behavior, hook fit | Any multi-leg chain sling | Inside width clears crane latch; maker lists leg count and chain Ø |
Self-locking hook | Secure closure under motion | Long travel, wind, vibration | Hook WLL ≥ leg tension; latch locks positively |
Sling hook (spring-latch) | Quick connects in sheltered moves | Short, protected lifts | Check latch action and throat opening before use |
Foundry hook (no latch) | Wide throat for bars/eyes | Supervised installs | Control swing; never side-load |
Grab/shortening hook | Precise leg length trim | Angle control, leveling | Capture one full link in a rated pocket |
Bow shackle (anchor) | Leg sweep and misalignment at head/load | Multi-leg heads, uneven planes | Run pin through the hardware; bow faces the legs |
D shackle (chain) | In-line pulls with minimal sweep | Straight padeyes | Keep the line of pull centered between cheeks |
Bolt-type pin | Vibration resistance, long travel | Marine, transport between picks | Tighten nut, fit cotter, re-check after test bump |
Screw-pin | Fast rig-derig cycles | Shops, short lifts | Hand-tight plus a controlled quarter-turn |
In-line swivel | Controlled rotation in line | Long moves that twist | Keep forces straight; avoid side-loading |
Edge guards | Crown and corner survival | Sharp or abrasive edges | Guard before the pick, not after the scar |
Always size legs from the sling tag and confirm per-leg tension from your angle plan.
Angles multiply leg tension, so manage geometry with intent. Plan an included angle near 60° when space allows; then trim long legs with shorteners until the head sits level. If headroom squeezes, drop a spreader or switch to a head that opens angles without crowding the crane hook. When loads want to spin, add an in-line swivel at the head, but keep the force straight and the swivel axis aligned.
You can pin a clevis directly to the chain or you can join parts with a coupling link (hammerlock).
Use a clevis when you want fast swaps and a compact profile. Inspect the pin, the ears, and the retaining system.
Use a coupling link when you build permanent assemblies. Verify the locking bushings, the pin integrity, and the stamp set before service. In both cases, match grade, size, and WLL to the leg that carries the highest tension.
Pick a head layout that fits the route and the load:
Single master link with four legs keeps the assembly compact for tight bays. You mount shorteners at the head and trim opposite legs together.
Spreader with two two-leg bridles opens angles and reduces torsion on tall modules.
Equalizer head with swivel lets the rig settle in line before travel. Use this when long moves or wind create twist.
Seat the master link freely in the crane hook and confirm latch clearance; crowded throats cause pinch and surprise chatter.
Chain size (mm) | Typical hook options | Typical shackle sizes | Quick field checks |
6–8 | Self-locking, spring-latch, grab | 3/8–1/2 in (or M10–M12) | Throat opening clears link; pin seats fully |
10 | Self-locking, grab, foundry (as directed) | 5/8 in (M16) | Hook bowl seats link; guard sharp padeyes |
13 | Self-locking, grab | 3/4–7/8 in (M20–M22) | Bow radius suits angle sweep |
16 | Self-locking, grab | 1 in (M24–M27) | Master link inside width clears crane latch |
Use the manufacturer’s tables for exact pairings and WLL; this map only guides staging.
You keep checks short, measurable, and repeatable:
Hooks: cycle latches ten times; measure throat opening; check the saddle and the neck for cracks or deep scars; confirm latch springs and locks.
Shorteners: inspect pocket sidewalls and faces; remove burrs; seat one full link and center the load path.
Shackles: read WLL on body and pin; verify straight pins and clean threads; use cotters on bolt-types and re-check after the test bump.
Swivels: check axial play and smooth rotation; reject any unit that binds or shows side-load scars.
Master links and coupling links: check for ovality, gap growth, and stamp clarity; confirm the correct sub-assembly for leg count and chain diameter.
Records: photograph stamps and the sling tag; store proof-test and inspection sheets with the job.
1. Stage all accessories with stamps facing up; sort by grade and size.
2. Build the head: master link first, then shorteners or sub-assemblies.
3. Connect end fittings to load points; align eyes to the line of pull.
4. Snug the rig; read angles with a card or an inclinometer at each active leg.
5. Trim opposite legs evenly; reopen geometry with a spreader if angles stay tight.
6. Guard edges before the lift; add wear sleeves at corners.
7. Bump 150 mm; pause; re-check latch closure, pin security, angles, and clearances.
8. Travel slowly; assign spotters; correct for wind early; land straight and unhook in reverse order.
Slack leg after snugging: shorten the diagonal partner a step; re-bump and re-read the angle.
Hook chatter during stops: switch to self-locking hooks; seat the load deep in the bowl.
Pin creep under vibration: change to a bolt-type shackle and fit the cotter.
Twist in long travel: add an in-line swivel at the head and reopen angles with a spreader.
Scars at corners: install edge guards and reroute to a true line of pull.
Match accessories to the site: black-oxide or phosphate parts read clearly and clean fast in shops; zinc–nickel coatings shed salt in coastal yards; stainless (304/316) pairs with washdown and hygiene programs. Rinse coated alloy after splash, oil pivots lightly, and store stainless away from carbon-steel racks to reduce cross-contamination.
Master link assemblies matched to leg count and chain diameter
Self-locking hooks sized to the leg WLL
Grab/shortening hooks for angle control
Bow shackles (both screw-pin and bolt-type) in matching grades
In-line swivels for long moves that twist
Edge guards and wear sleeves for known radii
Angle cards or compact inclinometers for each face
Read stamps, match grades, choose accessories for function, set angles with tools, and document every check, and chain rigging accessories will turn rough jobs into controlled lifts—contact TOPONE CHAIN today for certified accessories, matched chain slings, and complete documentation for your next project.
