Where Screw Pin Shackles Typically Fit
Screw pin shackles are commonly selected for general lifting connections, towing attachments, temporary tie-downs, and routine rigging where the connection is made and broken frequently across a shift. The hand-operated pin makes them the go-to when a rigger needs to move the shackle between configurations without tools.
Screw Pin Anchor & Dee Shackles
When speed and efficiency are paramount, the Screw Pin Shackle is the rigger's go-to hardware. Unlike Bolt-Type shackles which require tools to secure a cotter pin, Screw Pin shackles can be installed quickly by hand (and tightened with a wrench), making them perfect for general lifting, towing, and temporary tie-downs.
Holloway Houston Inc. (HHI) offers one of the largest certified inventories in the USA. We stock the "Big Three" of the shackle world: Crosby (The Red Pin®), Green Pin® (Van Beest), and Cromox (Stainless Steel). Whether you need a standard carbon steel bow shackle or a specialized wide-body shackle for synthetic slings, we have the hardware to match your Working Load Limit (WLL).
Brands We Carry
Holloway Houston stocks screw pin shackles across three product types:
- Crosby G-209 & G-209A : the "Red Pin" domestic standard. G-209 in carbon steel, G-209A in alloy steel (higher WLL at the same body size). S-253 Sling Saver for synthetic sling connection.
- Green Pin G-4161 & G-4151 : Dutch-manufactured hot-dip galvanized screw pin shackles. G-4161 anchor / bow, G-4151 dee. Common in marine and offshore rigging.
- Cromox CSA / CSB : stainless Grade 60, rated for overhead lifting per manufacturer documentation. For wastewater, food processing, and subsea rigging where corrosion rules out carbon steel.
Bow vs. Dee: Which Shape Do I Need?
- Anchor / Bow Shackles (O-Shape):The rounded "O" shape allows for multi-leg slings to be gathered in the bow without crowding. They are also rated for side-loading (lifting at an angle), provided the WLL is reduced according to the manufacturer's chart.
- Chain / Dee Shackles (U-Shape):The narrow "U" shape is designed for straight-line tension. They are ideal for connecting two pieces of chain or attaching a hoist to a beam clamp. Note: Dee shackles should generally not be side-loaded.
Important Safety: Screw Pin Usage
While Screw Pin shackles are convenient, they have specific limitations compared to Bolt-Type shackles:
- Rotation Warning: If the load is allowed to rotate or vibrate significantly, friction can unscrew the pin. For long-term or rotating installations, always use a Bolt-Type shackle.
- Tightening: The pin should be screwed down until the shoulder sits flush against the shackle ear. For lifting, it is recommended to tighten it hand-tight, then back it off slightly (1/4 turn) or mouse the pin if required by site safety rules (though mousing a screw pin is less secure than a bolt/cotter pin).
- Side Loading: When side-loading a bow shackle, the load must be centered in the bow. Never side-load across the pin threads.
Specifications
- WLL range: 1/3 ton (smallest G-209) through 55 tons (largest G-209A alloy).
- Material options: carbon steel (standard), alloy steel (higher WLL at smaller size), stainless steel (Grade 60, for corrosive service).
- Pin type: screw pin - hand-installed, wrench-tightened. Use bolt-type shackles where sustained vibration or side-loading would back the pin out.
- Standards reference: ASME B30.26 covers rigging hardware including shackles used in overhead lifting.
- Body shapes: anchor (bow / "O"-shape) and dee (straight), see Use Cases below.
Where Screw Pin Shackles Typically Fit
Screw pin shackles are commonly selected for general lifting connections, towing attachments, temporary tie-downs, and routine rigging where the connection is made and broken frequently across a shift. The hand-operated pin makes them the go-to when a rigger needs to move the shackle between configurations without tools.
Bolt-type shackles are the better match where the connection stays in place under sustained vibration, side-loading, or cyclic loading, the bolt-nut-cotter assembly keeps the pin from backing out. For overhead lifting with angled slings in the bow, anchor shackles carry the load; dee shackles are selected for straight-line pulls where side-loading is not a factor. Manufacturer charts show the WLL reduction that applies when a screw pin shackle is side-loaded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shackle selection starts with the load weight, the pin-to-pin dimension needed for the connection geometry, and whether the application involves side-loading. The manufacturer's WLL chart identifies the rated capacity for each size in standard and side-loaded configurations. Holloway Houston rigging specialists can match a shackle size to a specific connection.
Inspection programs typically look for deformation of the bow or pin, cracks or gouges, pin-to-bow fit (the pin should thread freely and seat fully), and legibility of the WLL and manufacturer identification markings. ASME B30.26 published guidance covers removal-from-service criteria. Holloway Houston's rigging inspection services handle periodic inspections for customers managing inspection cycles.
Synthetic slings connect to screw pin shackles at the bow - but the pin's thread edges can cut into web or round sling fiber over repeated cycles. Sling Saver shackles (Crosby S-253) have a wider bearing surface specifically shaped for synthetic sling contact and are the typical match where synthetic slings see repeated connection cycles at the same hardware.
Browse our inventory below to filter by Brand, Pin Size, and Throat Opening.