What types of lifting shackles are there? How should they be selected and used safely?
Classification:
Time：
2026-04-27
In mold lifting, machinery handling, heavy shipbuilding, new‑energy equipment integration, and engineering hoisting operations, lifting shackles are indispensable basic components of lifting points. As the core load‑bearing elements in equipment hoisting, the quality, selection, and installation method of lifting shackles directly determine the safety and stability of the entire lifting operation. Many procurement and engineering professionals, when making purchasing decisions, often fail to distinguish between different types of shackles, lack an understanding of tonnage‑matching criteria, and are unclear about operating‑condition requirements—leading to frequent errors in selection, insufficient load capacity, and even shackle failure, all of which pose serious safety risks. This article, provided by NOB Lifting Shackles, offers a detailed explanation of shackle classifications, selection standards, installation procedures, and scrapping guidelines, helping companies accurately choose the right industrial shackle for their specific applications.
I. What is a lifting eye?
Lifting shackles are specialized load‑bearing components mounted on various types of machinery, molds, pressure vessels, and steel‑structure workpieces. They are used to connect slings, shackles, and wire ropes, and are classified as standardized industrial lifting hardware. High‑quality lifting shackles are typically forged from premium alloy steel or stainless steel and undergo comprehensive heat‑treatment processes, resulting in high strength, excellent toughness, superior fatigue resistance, and minimal deformation. They are widely employed in industrial manufacturing, construction machinery, marine and offshore applications, wind‑energy equipment, and the handling of precision instruments.
Low‑quality cast lifting rings on the market are prone to porosity, cracks, and insufficient load capacity, whereas forged lifting rings from reputable manufacturers are produced in strict compliance with national and German standards, offering precise load ratings, a high safety factor, and suitability for long‑term, repeated lifting operations.
II. Common Types of Lifting Eye Bolts and Their Applicable Scenarios
Industrial lifting eye bolts come in a wide variety, with different designs tailored to various lifting methods and operating conditions. NOB specializes in mainstream industrial lifting eye bolt types, covering the vast majority of industrial lifting requirements:
1. Rotating lifting eye bolt
With a 360° rotatable and 180° oscillating design, the hoisting process allows for free angle adjustment, preventing sling twisting and load misalignment, and eliminating damage to the lifting ring caused by lateral forces. Equipped with an integrated anti‑jamming mechanism, it ensures smooth rotation, making it ideal for precision mold handling, multi‑angle lifting, and transporting equipment in complex operating conditions—currently the most widely used high‑end type of lifting ring in industrial applications.
2. Bolt-type lifting ring
It features threaded fastening for easy assembly and disassembly, ensuring secure fixation. Available in both metric and imperial thread sizes, it is compatible with a wide range of machinery equipped with threaded holes. Constructed using an all‑forged process, it delivers consistent load‑bearing performance, making it ideal for equipping batch‑produced equipment and serving as mounting points for fixed installations. Offering excellent value and exceptional versatility, it is suitable for a broad array of applications.
3. Welded lifting ring
No threaded holes are required; it is directly welded to the surface of steel structures or large workpieces, offering greater load-bearing capacity and enhanced stability. It is commonly used as a permanent lifting point for large pressure vessels, heavy‑industry steel structures, and non‑standard, oversized equipment.
4. Non-standard custom lifting rings
For lifting requirements involving special tonnages, dimensions, materials, or installation configurations, the original‑equipment manufacturer can provide custom‑designed non‑standard lifting points, fabricated to order and tailored to meet the needs of a wide range of niche and specialized industrial lifting applications.
III. How to Properly Select Lifting Eye Bolts? (A Must-Read for Purchasers)
When selecting lifting shackles, price alone should not be the deciding factor; a comprehensive assessment is required, taking into account the lifting weight, lifting angle, operating environment, and installation method to prevent safety hazards. The key selection criteria are as follows:
1. Match the rated load: Select lifting rings of the appropriate tonnage in strict accordance with the equipment’s own weight, while allowing for a safety margin; overloading during lifting is strictly prohibited. When using multiple lifting points, ensure that the load is evenly distributed to prevent overload at any single point.
2. Distinguishing lifting angles: Oblique or side‑lifting with a ring sling significantly reduces the actual load; the greater the angle, the lower the load‑carrying capacity. For complex‑angle lifting, rotary lifting rings are preferred to accommodate multi‑directional loads.
3. Adapted to operating conditions: For standard indoor dry environments, use alloy‑steel forged lifting rings; for humid, outdoor, marine, or chemically corrosive environments, select stainless‑steel corrosion‑resistant lifting rings.
4. Matching installation methods: For equipment with threaded holes, use bolt‑type lifting rings; for large steel structures without threaded holes, prioritize welded lifting rings; and for precision equipment, prefer swivel lifting rings.
IV. Installation and Usage Specifications for Lifting Eye Bolts
Even the highest‑quality lifting shackles can lead to safety accidents if installed or used improperly. Standardized rigging operations must adhere to the following guidelines:
1. During the installation of bolt-type lifting rings, the threads must be fully tightened to ensure tight contact with the workpiece surface, with no looseness or tilting, thereby guaranteeing vertical load-bearing.
2. Welding of the lifting lugs shall be full‑penetration and securely fixed; after welding, the joints must be allowed to cool before inspection to detect and address weld cracks and incomplete welds.
3. Before lifting, inspect the lifting ring for deformation, cracks, wear, or corrosion, and ensure that shackles and slings of the appropriate specifications are used.
4. The lifting process shall be smooth and gradual; abrupt lifting or lowering, as well as diagonal pulling or forceful dragging, are prohibited to prevent impact loads.
5. It is strictly prohibited to operate beyond the rated load, and unauthorized modification, cutting, or welding of finished lifting rings is forbidden.
V. Criteria for Scrapping Lifting Eye Bolts
Lifting shackles are consumable lifting components that require regular inspection and replacement. They must be scrapped immediately and may no longer be used under any of the following conditions:
1. The ring body exhibits cracks, deformation, distortion, or tensile deformation;
2. The threads are severely worn or stripped, making it impossible to tighten and achieve a proper fit;
3. Severe surface corrosion and rust spalling, compromising structural strength;
4. Has undergone overload or impact lifting, resulting in hidden damage;
5. Upon reaching the service life, load-bearing capacity tests fail to meet the required standards.
VI. Why Choose NOB Lifting Rings?
NOB is a leading manufacturer of lifting shackles, specializing for many years in the R&D and production of industrial lifting points and rigging hardware. Our factory is equipped with automated forging lines and a full suite of testing equipment. All lifting shackles are manufactured using an integral forging process combined with heat treatment, strictly adhering to both Chinese national standards and German DIN specifications. Our product range includes swivel shackles, bolt‑type shackles, welded shackles, corrosion‑resistant shackles, and custom‑made non‑standard lifting points, covering the entire spectrum of lifting hardware.
The manufacturer offers custom specifications, bulk OEM production, and international export services. All products undergo tensile testing and nondestructive flaw detection before shipment, accompanied by quality inspection reports. They feature stable load-bearing capacity and a high safety factor, making them suitable for lifting applications across diverse industries, including mold manufacturing, heavy machinery, shipbuilding, new energy, and chemical processing. We provide a one-stop solution to meet your enterprise’s needs for purchasing and customizing lifting rings.
Summary
Although lifting shackles appear structurally simple, they are a critical safety component in rigging operations. Every stage—procurement and selection, installation and use, and routine inspections—is of paramount importance. When purchasing lifting shackles, companies should prioritize reputable manufacturers that produce forged products, avoiding low‑quality castings. By selecting the right model based on specific operating conditions, using them in accordance with standards, and replacing them regularly, you can eliminate potential rigging hazards at the source and ensure that construction projects proceed safely and efficiently.
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