William Hackett Master Links
The master link is the top termination of a chain sling, the point where all the legs load into the crane hook. In multi-leg chain sling assemblies, the master link takes the combined tension of every leg simultaneously, which is why material grade and forging quality matter more here than almost anywhere else in the sling.
About William Hackett Master Links
William Hackett Chains Ltd forges master links in Grade 80 and Grade 100 alloy steel, manufactured in County Durham, England to EN 1677-4 standards for forged master links for chain slings. Holloway Houston stocks the William Hackett master link line for North American buyers in offshore, petrochemical, and heavy industrial service.
William Hackett Chains Ltd has been manufacturing lifting chain and rigging components since 1862 in County Durham, England. Chain is the original product, master links are the natural extension of that manufacturing focus into the hardware that connects chain slings to the lift point above them.
A master link in a chain sling assembly serves as the top termination: the single link that accepts the crane hook and through which the load tension from all sling legs passes. In a four-leg chain sling, for example, the master link holds the combined tension as load is distributed across the legs. That concentration of force in a single forged component is why alloy grade and heat treatment matter, a master link is not the place to compromise on material specification.
William Hackett master links are forged in Grade 80 and Grade 100 alloy steel and manufactured to EN 1677-4 (Lifting Accessories for Lifting Operations, Forged Steel Connecting Links for Use with Grade 8 Short Link Chains) requirements. The standard covers design, testing, and marking for forged master links in chain sling service.
ASME B30.9-2018 (Slings) governs sling assembly design and inspection in North American service, including the master links used as top terminations of chain slings.
Holloway Houston stocks William Hackett master links in Houston for same-day shipping on in-stock sizes.
Types of William Hackett Master Links
Oval Master Links
The oval master link is the most common top termination in chain sling assemblies. The oval shape allows the crane hook to seat naturally in the long axis of the link, centering the load and keeping the hook from rotating into the link body. William Hackett oval master links are forged in Grade 80 and Grade 100 alloy steel, heat-treated and proof-tested per EN 1677-4.
Pear-Shaped Master Links (Master Link Assemblies)
Pear-shaped master links, also called master link assemblies or sub-links, have a wider body that accepts multiple leg terminations more easily than an oval link. The geometry distributes the leg attachment points across the widened base, reducing crowding in multi-leg assemblies. Pear links are common in three-leg and four-leg chain sling setups where the leg count makes an oval link crowded at the termination point.
Grade 100 Master Links
Grade 100 master links carry higher working load limits than their Grade 80 equivalents at the same nominal link size, a useful option where the sling assembly is sized to Grade 100 chain and the hardware needs to match. William Hackett's Grade 100 master links are manufactured to the same EN 1677-4 process as their Grade 80 line, with WLL markings and heat numbers on every link for traceability.
William Hackett Master Link Sizes and Working Load Limits
William Hackett master links span a WLL range that covers most chain sling assembly requirements from light to heavy industrial work.
Grade 80 Oval Master Links, WLL Range:
- 1.5 tons to 40 tons (depending on link size; exact size/WLL table is available from Holloway Houston at 1-888-496-4700)
Grade 100 Oval Master Links, WLL Range:
- Higher WLL per size than Grade 80 at the same link diameter; exact WLL data is available from Holloway Houston at 1-888-496-4700
Pear-Shaped Master Links, WLL Range:
- Available in Grade 80 and Grade 100; WLL varies with chain size and leg count, specifications are confirmed by Holloway Houston at 1-888-496-4700
Materials:
- Grade 80 alloy steel : Forged, heat-treated, proof-tested per EN 1677-4
- Grade 100 alloy steel : Higher WLL per size, same forging and heat treatment process
Marking:
- WLL and grade stamped on every master link
- Heat number for traceability to proof test certificate
- Manufacturer identification per EN 1677-4
Note: Specific size/WLL data is confirmed by Holloway Houston at 1-888-496-4700 for current stock and exact specifications.
Why William Hackett for Master Links
William Hackett's chain manufacturing history means their master links come from the same forging and heat treatment process that has been producing lifting chain for over 150 years. When a master link ships with a heat number traceable to a specific forging lot, and that traceability connects to proof test records, it is a meaningful difference for offshore operators, crane operators, and inspection teams that maintain equipment records.
For Grade 100 sling assemblies, the hardware match matters. A Grade 80 master link in a Grade 100 sling assembly limits the assembly WLL to the Grade 80 component, the weakest link in the assembly. William Hackett's Grade 100 master link line removes that mismatch, letting the sling assembly perform to the Grade 100 chain's rated capacity.
The EN 1677-4 marking on every William Hackett master link provides the documentation trail that EU-flagged vessels, offshore installations working to international standards, and operations with documented lift programs need from their rigging hardware.
Holloway Houston also offers rigging inspection services. Our qualified inspectors examine chain sling assemblies, master links, and associated rigging hardware to ASME B30.9-2018 and OSHA standards to keep your equipment in service and your crews working.
Shop by Product Type
- William Hackett Grade 80 Oval Master Links.
- William Hackett Grade 100 Oval Master Links.
- William Hackett Pear-Shaped Master Links (Grade 80 and Grade 100).
William Hackett Master Link Applications by Industry
- Offshore Oil & Gas : Multi-leg chain sling assemblies for offshore lifting where EN 1677-4 marking and heat number traceability are required for lift records.
- Marine and Shipyard : Chain sling termination hardware for vessel construction, drydock operations, and cargo handling where corrosion-resistant marking is needed.
- Petrochemical and Refinery : Sling assemblies for maintenance lifts in process facilities where documented lift programs require traceable hardware.
- Heavy Industrial Manufacturing : Multi-leg sling top terminations for overhead crane work in steel fabrication, mining equipment, and large machine handling.
- Structural Steel and Civil : Chain sling terminations for structural lifts where Grade 100 capacity in a compact master link size is the deciding factor.
Why Holloway Houston for William Hackett Master Links
Holloway Houston is the authorized North American distributor for William Hackett products, operating out of Houston, Texas with over 65 years in the rigging and lifting business. Stocking William Hackett master links in Houston puts UK-manufactured, EN 1677-4 rated hardware within same-day ship distance for Gulf Coast operators, offshore contractors, and fabrication shops throughout the region.
Our rigging specialists stock and support the William Hackett hardware line alongside chain hoists, chain, and the balance of our rigging inventory. Heat number documentation and proof test records ship with every William Hackett master link order.
Complete Your Chain Sling Assembly
- William Hackett Chain Hoists : Pair master links with William Hackett chain blocks and lever hoists for matched-manufacturer lifting setups.
- Chain Slings : Grade 80 and Grade 100 alloy chain slings with master link terminations for multi-leg assemblies.
- Shackles : Anchor and chain shackles for connecting master link assemblies to crane hooks and structural lifting points.
Master Link Safety and Awareness
Master links used in chain sling assemblies fall under ASME B30.9-2018 (Slings) in North American service, which governs the design, inspection, and use of chain slings and their termination hardware. EN 1677-4 establishes the European standard specifically for forged master links in chain sling service. OSHA 1910.184 references sling inspection and use in general industry; OSHA 1926.251 addresses rigging equipment for material handling on jobsites.
Key awareness points for master links in service:
- Per ASME B30.9-2018, master links and connecting hardware in a chain sling assembly are marked with WLL and manufacturer ID. A master link with illegible or absent markings is not suitable for sling service.
- Pre-use inspection of master links covers the body for cracks, gouges, twisting, or deformation; the throat opening for elongation beyond the manufacturer's wear limit; and the surface condition for corrosion or wear that reduces the section thickness.
- Grade 80 and Grade 100 master links are not interchangeable at the same link size without confirming the WLL of the lower-grade component. A Grade 80 master link in a Grade 100 sling assembly limits the assembly to the Grade 80 WLL.
- A master link that has been shock-loaded, heat-damaged, or used in a condition beyond its WLL warrants removal from service and inspection before any further use.
- Heat number traceability on William Hackett master links allows proof test records to be pulled for any link in service, a feature that matters for documented lift programs and offshore equipment records.
Frequently Asked Questions
A master link is the top termination of a chain sling assembly, the single link that accepts the crane hook and through which the combined tension of all sling legs passes. In a multi-leg chain sling, all leg terminations connect to the master link, and the master link hangs from the crane hook. It is the connection between the sling and the lifting device above it.
Grade 100 master links carry higher working load limits than Grade 80 at the same nominal link size. This matters when the chain sling uses Grade 100 chain, using a Grade 80 master link limits the assembly WLL to the Grade 80 component. William Hackett manufactures both grades to EN 1677-4 with heat number traceability. For Grade 100 sling assemblies, the master link grade matches or exceeds the chain grade.
EN 1677-4 (Lifting Accessories for Lifting Operations, Forged Steel Connecting Links for Use with Grade 8 Short Link Chains) is the European standard for forged master links in chain sling service. It covers design, testing, and marking. ASME B30.9-2018 governs chain slings and their hardware, including master links, in North American service. William Hackett master links are manufactured to EN 1677-4 requirements.
An oval master link has a symmetrical oval shape that suits one to two sling leg terminations and seats naturally in the crane hook. A pear-shaped master link has a wider base that accommodates three or four sling leg connections with less crowding at the termination point. For three-leg and four-leg chain sling assemblies, pear-shaped links are the more common configuration at the top of the sling.
Yes. William Hackett master links are forged with heat numbers that tie to specific proof test records. Holloway Houston ships that documentation with every order. For offshore operators, documented lift programs, and equipment records that require traceable hardware, the heat number on the link body connects to the manufacturer's proof test certificate.
Yes. Holloway Houston stocks William Hackett master links in Houston, Texas, with same-day shipping on in-stock sizes. For specific grade, size, WLL, or pear-link configurations, call our rigging specialists at 1-888-496-4700.
DISCLAIMER
Master links are load-bearing rigging components used in sling assemblies. Selection, inspection, and use call for training consistent with ASME B30.9-2018 (Slings) 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 procedures.