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Jaw-Jaw Turnbuckles

Holloway Houston provides high-performance jaw-jaw turnbuckles engineered for direct connection to pin-type hardware in structural and rigging assemblies. We stock an extensive inventory from Crosby and Green Pin, featuring working load limits from 800 lbs up to 75,000 lbs and thread sizes reaching 2-3/4 inches to handle the most demanding tensioning requirements.

Jaw-Jaw Turnbuckles for Rigging and Tensioning

A jaw-jaw turnbuckle is a precision-engineered tensioning device characterized by a U-shaped clevis (jaw) on each end of a central threaded body. Unlike eye-end configurations, which require intermediate hardware, the jaw end features a removable pin that passes directly through a connection lug, structural tang, or clevised bracket. This streamlined design makes the jaw-jaw configuration the industry standard for assemblies that require a secure, pin-through mechanical connection on both ends.

At Holloway Houston, our jaw-jaw turnbuckles are sourced from the global benchmarks of quality: Crosby and Green Pin (Van Beest). By rotating the turnbuckle body, both threaded jaw fittings move inward or outward simultaneously, applying or releasing tension in a linear path. With over 65 years of rigging expertise, Holloway Houston ensures every turnbuckle meets the rigorous requirements of ASME B30.26 and federal specification FF-T-791b, providing the reliability needed for high-stakes construction, marine, and oilfield applications.

The Technical Advantage of the Clevis Jaw

The primary advantage of the jaw-jaw turnbuckle is the elimination of the "stacking effect." In many rigging systems, using an Eye-Eye turnbuckle requires an additional Rigging shackle to connect to a lug. The jaw-jaw model integrates that connection point directly into the turnbuckle fitting. This reduces the total length of the assembly (saving headroom) and minimizes the number of individual components subject to wear or failure. Holloway Houston specialists assist clients in calculating the proper Working Load Limit (WLL) and thread diameter to ensure the assembly maintains the required safety design factor.

Types of Jaw-Jaw Turnbuckles Available at Holloway Houston

Industrial environments demand different metallurgical properties and capacity ranges. We maintain a diverse stock of the world’s most trusted series.

Crosby HG-228 Jaw-Jaw Turnbuckle

The Crosby HG-228 is the industry standard for forged jaw-jaw turnbuckles. Each unit is quenched and tempered for maximum durability and features a hot-dip galvanized finish for long-term corrosion resistance. We stock the HG-228 in 30 different configurations, with thread sizes starting at 5/16" and scaling up to 2-3/4". These units are proof-tested to 2.5 times the WLL, providing exceptional peace of mind for critical structural tensioning.

Green Pin G-6313 and G-6323 Series

Manufactured by Van Beest in the Netherlands, Green Pin turnbuckles are favored for offshore and marine applications. The G-6313 and the G-6323 (standard and high-strength versions) provide exceptional precision. These models are often rated in metric tonnage and meet stringent European standards alongside ASME requirements. With 60 distinct Green Pin items in our jaw-jaw inventory, we can accommodate any metric-spec project or specialized offshore rigging requirement.

Material Integrity: Carbon vs. Alloy Steel

Holloway Houston provides hardware in various material grades to match the severity of the application:

  • Galvanized Carbon Steel : Standard for most outdoor construction and utility assemblies.
  • Forged Alloy Steel :Forged Alloy Steel: Utilized in the larger Crosby sizes to achieve higher WLLs (up to 75,000 lbs) without making the hardware excessively bulky.

Technical Specifications: Size, Capacity, and Take-Up

Selecting the correct jaw-jaw turnbuckle requires matching the thread diameter to the load and the take-up to the required adjustment range.

1. Working Load Limit (WLL)

Our inventory is categorized by rated capacity to help you find the exact strength needed:

  • Light-to-Mid Duty (800 – 7,200 lbs) : Standard for diagonal bracing, fencing, and small guy wires.
  • Heavy Duty (10,000 – 37,000 lbs) : Used in tower guy wire assemblies, mooring systems, and industrial tie-backs.
  • Super Heavy Duty (60,000 – 75,000 lbs) : Critical for bridge suspension and large-scale offshore structural tensioning.

2. Take-Up Options

The "take-up" refers to how much slack the turnbuckle can remove from the line. Holloway Houston provides a massive range of travel options:

  • Short Take-Up (4.5" to 6") : For precision adjustments in tight spaces.
  • Mid-Range Take-Up (9" to 12") : The standard for most structural steel bracing.
  • Long Take-Up (18" to 24") : Essential for Wire rope assemblies where significant stretch or installation slack is expected.

3. Pin Diameter and Lug Compatibility

Because the jaw end must fit over a connection point, the jaw opening and pin diameter are critical. We provide detailed dimensional charts to ensure our Crosby and Green Pin jaws will seat properly on your structural lugs or tangs.

Jaw-Jaw Turnbuckle Applications by Industry

  • Construction : Diagonal cable bracing in structural steel frames and tensioning for crane guy wires.
  • Offshore & Marine : Deck rigging, standing rigging for vessel masts, and tensioning for offshore mooring lines where a secure pin connection is required.
  • Telecommunications : Tower guy wire terminations, connecting directly to anchor rods and cross-arm brackets.
  • Industrial & Petrochemical : Tension rods for pipe hanger assemblies and tie-backs for process plant frameworks.
  • Stage & Entertainment : Cable tensioning for overhead trusses and grids where a direct pin connection through a truss plate is cleaner than using a shackle.

Selection Guide: How to Choose the Right Turnbuckle

To ensure a safe and compliant tensioning system, Holloway Houston recommends following these selection criteria:

  1. Direct Alignment : Turnbuckles are designed for straight-line tension only. Any angular loading can bend the threaded shanks or the jaw ears, leading to sudden failure.
  2. Pin Security : Always ensure the jaw pin is fully seated and secured (via the provided nut and cotter pin or bolt) before applying tension. A loose pin can walk out of the jaw under vibration.
  3. Thread Engagement : For the turnbuckle to reach its rated WLL, the end fittings must be threaded into the body by a minimum depth (usually the diameter of the thread). Never unthread a turnbuckle to its "breaking point" just to reach an anchor.
  4. Environmental Corrosion : For saltwater or high-humidity environments, always specify hot-dip galvanized finishes.

Safety, Inspection, and Maintenance

As critical load-bearing hardware, jaw-jaw turnbuckles require regular inspection to maintain compliance with ASME B30.26.

  • Visual Inspection : Check for cracks in the jaw ears, nicks in the pins, and any bending of the threaded shanks.
  • Thread Health : Ensure threads are clean and lubricated. If threads show signs of "galling" or flattening, the turnbuckle must be replaced.
  • Jaw Opening : Measure the jaw opening. If the ears have "spread" (widened) by more than 10%, it is a clear sign of overload, and the unit must be removed from service.
  • Deformation : Inspect the pins for wear or "grooving." A worn pin concentrates stress on the jaw ears and can lead to a fracture.

Frequently Asked Questions

A jaw-jaw turnbuckle has clevis ends on both sides. A jaw-eye turnbuckle has a clevis on one end and a closed loop (eye) on the other, often used when one end connects to a pin and the other to a shackle.
Yes. All Crosby and Green Pin turnbuckles are traceable and ship with manufacturer certifications to ensure compliance with site safety requirements.
Turnbuckles are primarily tensioning and pulling hardware. While they are used in "lifting assemblies" to level a load, they are not intended to be a primary lifting sling component. Always consult an engineer for lifting system design.
In high-vibration applications (like bridges or cell towers), we highly recommend using Turnbuckle locknuts or safety-wiring the body to the jaw to prevent the assembly from unscrewing over time.
Per ASME B30.26, every turnbuckle must be permanently marked with the manufacturer's name or trademark, the size, and the rated WLL.
Choose the take-up based on how much slack you need to pull. If your cable is very long and likely to stretch, a longer take-up (12" or 18") provides a greater adjustment margin.

Safety Disclaimer : Turnbuckles are load-bearing rigging components. Proper selection, inspection, and use require training consistent with ASME B30.26 and applicable OSHA standards. The information on this page is provided for general product awareness and does not replace qualified engineering judgment, manufacturer documentation, or site-specific lift planning.

Complete Your Rigging System

Holloway Houston provides all the hardware needed for a complete tensioning assembly: