About Yoke Shackles

Holloway Houston stocks Yoke anchor shackles (bow type) and chain shackles (D-type) in screw-pin and bolt-type configurations. Working load limits span 0.5 tons through 120 tons across the Yoke shackle line.

Yoke shackles are forged from alloy steel, individually proof-tested at twice the working load limit, and marked with WLL, size, and manufacturer ID per ASME B30.26 (Rigging Hardware). The standard covers design factors, marking, inspection intervals, and removal-from-service criteria for shackles in overhead lifting service.

Two body styles dominate the Yoke shackle line: anchor shackles with the wide bow profile that accepts multi-leg sling connections, and chain shackles with the narrower D-shaped body for in-line connections. Both styles come in screw-pin and bolt-type pin configurations.

The screw pin is the faster connect-disconnect option for rigging setups where connections change frequently. The bolt-type, with a bolt, nut, and cotter pin, is the call where vibration, side loading, or sustained use make pin backing-out a concern.

Types of Yoke Shackles

Anchor Shackles - Screw Pin

The wide bow body of an anchor shackle accepts multiple sling legs, the geometry distributes force across the bow rather than concentrating it on the pin. Screw-pin anchor shackles are the workhorse connection for general rigging, sling-to-load connections, and temporary setups where the pin goes in and out regularly. Yoke screw-pin anchor shackles cover WLL from 0.5 tons through 120 tons.

Anchor Shackles - Bolt Type

The bolt-type anchor shackle uses a bolt body with a nut and cotter pin instead of a screw pin. The cotter prevents the nut from backing off under vibration or rotation. Bolt-type anchor shackles are specified on crane blocks, spreader bar connections, and any application where the shackle stays in place through sustained cycling or directional load shifts.

Chain Shackles - Screw Pin

Chain shackles (D-shackles) have a narrower body profile suited to in-line connections, chain-to-chain, sling-to-ring, and hardware connections where the bow width of an anchor shackle creates interference. Screw-pin D-shackles are used in temporary rigging setups, load securing, and applications where the connection changes frequently.

Chain Shackles - Bolt Type

Bolt-type D-shackles serve in-line applications where the pin retention of a bolt-and-cotter assembly is needed. Common in permanent rigging points, mooring hardware, and equipment where the shackle stays connected through operating cycles.

Yoke Shackle Sizes and Working Load Limits

Working Load Limit Range:

• Light duty: 0.5 tons to 3.25 tons (1/4" through 1/2")
• Medium duty: 4.75 tons to 17 tons (9/16" through 1")
• Heavy duty: 22 tons to 120 tons (1-1/8" through 2-1/2" and up)

Body styles:

• Anchor (bow).
• Chain (D-type).

Pin types:

• Screw pin.
• Bolt-and-nut-and-cotter (bolt type).

Material:

• Forged alloy steel.
• Quenched and tempered

Marking per ASME B30.26:

• WLL.
• size.
• manufacturer ID.
• lot number.

Why Yoke for Shackles

Yoke shackles are individually proof-tested, not batch-sampled. The proof test certificate that ships with each shackle is traceable to the piece, not just to a production lot. For jobs where the inspector asks for documentation on every piece of rigging hardware, that traceability matters.

The alloy steel and ISO 9001 heat treatment process means the WLL is backed by a documented manufacturing path. The WLL range, from half-ton up to 120 tons, covers most rigging scenarios from light maintenance work through heavy crane connections.

Holloway Houston also provides rigging inspection services. Our qualified inspectors examine shackles, slings, and hardware per ASME B30.26 and OSHA standards.

Shop by Product Type

• Yoke Anchor Shackles - Screw Pin
• Yoke Anchor Shackles - Bolt Type
• Yoke Chain Shackles - Screw Pin
• Yoke Chain Shackles - Bolt Type

Yoke Shackle Applications by Industry

• Jobsite rigging : Multi-leg sling connections to structural steel, precast elements, and equipment during crane picks.
• Offshore and Marine : Bolt-type anchor shackles on crane blocks and mooring hardware where vibration and sustained loading make screw-pin retention a concern.
• Oil and Gas : Turnaround rigging where shackles connect slings to load lift points, pressure vessels, and heat exchanger shells.
• Heavy Manufacturing : High-cycle rigging in foundries and steel plants where shackles take repeated high-tonnage connections.
• Mining : Equipment rigging and anchorage hardware in surface and underground operations.
• Power Generation : Turbine installation, generator handling, and plant maintenance rigging.

Why Holloway Houston for Yoke Shackles

Holloway Houston stocks Yoke shackles in both body styles and both pin types, from light-duty half-ton connections through 120-ton heavy crane hardware. Over 65 years in Houston serving the oil and gas, offshore, jobsite, and heavy industrial markets.

In-stock Yoke shackles ship same day from Houston. Proof test documentation with every order.

Complete Your Rigging Connection

• Yoke Swivels : Add rotation capability to shackle connections on crane blocks and pendant lines.
• Yoke Master Links : Connect multi-leg slings to crane hooks with grade-matched master links.
• Yoke Lifting Points : Weld-on and bolt-in lifting points for load attachment when a shackle connection to the load structure is needed.

Shackle Safety and Awareness

ASME B30.26 (Rigging Hardware) governs shackle design, marking, inspection, and removal-from-service criteria. OSHA 1926.251 covers rigging equipment for jobsite use.

Key awareness points:

• Per ASME B30.26, shackles are marked with WLL, size, and manufacturer ID. A shackle with illegible markings warrants removal from service.
• Pre-use inspection covers the bow and pin for cracks or deformation, the pin threads for damage, and the cotter pin (on bolt-type) for proper seating.
• Screw-pin shackles are not rated for applications where the pin may rotate and unthread under load. Bolt-type shackles address that scenario with the cotter retaining the nut.
• Side loading a shackle reduces the rated WLL. ASME B30.26 provides angular load factors; shackles are not rated for angular loading unless the manufacturer documentation specifies a side-load WLL.
• Proof test documentation from Yoke is lot-traceable. Holloway Houston provides certificates with every shackle order.