Bt50 shackles

Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 04, 2014 at 20:06
ThreadID: 110040 Views:4767 Replies:5 FollowUps:7
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Just Picked Up Our Bt50 Two Weeks Ago And Found Out The Shackles On The Mazda Tow Bar Are Rated At 1 Ton, Went To Fit 2ton Shackles On But They won't fit Through The Holes On The 3.5 Ton Tow Bar Pack With Out Machining Out The Holes, Any Ideas Of What To Do to fit Rated Shackles Or what Might Fit Through The Holes
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Reply By: TomH - Tuesday, Nov 04, 2014 at 20:11

Tuesday, Nov 04, 2014 at 20:11
How are they rated by SW or something else

The breaking strain of the SW weight of a shackle is 6 times the SW rating so you dont need 2T SW rated

Has been numerous threads on this

Does the pin fit through the holes. But then the ring usually wont got through the chain link.
AnswerID: 541301

Follow Up By: TomH - Tuesday, Nov 04, 2014 at 20:16

Tuesday, Nov 04, 2014 at 20:16
Read this

www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/Safety/.../Safe_towing_guide.pdf

I stated the rating incorrectly it should be WLL
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Follow Up By: TomH - Tuesday, Nov 04, 2014 at 20:19

Follow Up By: The Bantam - Wednesday, Nov 05, 2014 at 19:45

Wednesday, Nov 05, 2014 at 19:45
Yeh I've looked at the NT government document...it realy needs some revision.

There should be no mention of 6 times.

The legeslated safety margin is 4:1 and that is what we must work off to establish the nominal breaking strain for the purposes of selecting a shackle for trailers or recoveries or a variety of other things.


SO any shackle that complies with the standards and legeslation and is legally sold or has been legally sold in the past with a W.L.L. or S.W.L. marking on it, can be relaibly assumed to be good for 4 times its marked value.....mostly thought it will be a great deal more.


The word breaking load should not be used....because both the standards applying to the shackle and the standards and ADRs applying to the trailer imply that permanent distortion is not permitted.
so the breaking load may need to be be a great deal higher to be compliant.

We do not need to worry about grades of shackles or tracking test certificates.
we need to buy a reputable shackle marked with a W.L.L. or use a shackle purchased in the past marked with S.W.L.
( S.W.L. is an out of date term in relation to shakles)

The shackle matrix should not have been published, because it only serves to confuse the matter.

We are looking for a reputable shackle that is accordingly marked....that simple.

So we need a shackle that has a failure strain of one and a half times the Agrigate Trailer Mass.....this can be found my multiplying the marked value of any rated shackle by four.

ATM x 1.5 = required strength......required strenght/4 = required W.W.L.....buy the next size shackle



Now here is an interesting rub.

There IS NO REQUIREMENT in the ADRs that the shackle be an item of rated lifting equipment.

Nor is there are requirement that chain be high carbon steel rated in either the lifting industry or transport industry...it can in fact be mild steel.

ON most light trailers under 3.5 tonnes.

The problem is the proof.

The manufacturer of the trailer is responsible for proving that the chain they affix is appropraitly strong.

But there is no other means of establishing the credentials of a shackle that is not marked, on the road side..one way or the other.

So not specifically, but by implication the shackle must be rated.

Regardless you are crazy if you do not use an appropriately rated and marked shackle.


Now here is another thing..documents like the one above published by the NT governement are not law in any way shape or form..they are advisory only...and can only point to the law.

So if you get pinged and the document is not quite right..or it didn't mention something...its still your fault.

Check VSB01...( even that is not law..but it is a reliable summary)


What realy interests me..is the NT government are not sufficiently sure about this to recommend prosecution.

The Action recomended is to advise.

just some thaughts.

cheers
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FollowupID: 827444

Reply By: BARRY F2 - Tuesday, Nov 04, 2014 at 20:35

Tuesday, Nov 04, 2014 at 20:35
Thanks Tom That Makes sense Now
AnswerID: 541304

Reply By: Von Helga - Wednesday, Nov 05, 2014 at 15:11

Wednesday, Nov 05, 2014 at 15:11
Gents,

I should just cut and paste the forum conversation we had within a defence forum a few weeks back.

I have rang the NT inspectors and they are reviewing their Bulliten as there should be no mention of 6 times anything. The 6 times relates to a manufacturer that wants his shackle rated at X kg has to have NATA tests at 6 times the WLL of the rating he wants to sell it as.

We users don't get to see that info and nor should we. We work on the WLL or SWL full stop.

It is great to know that there is such a large safety margin but don't get confused if you are required to have a 3 ton WLL shackle then 3 ton WLL shackle it is or you can explain your actions to the coroner. Or two 2 ton shackles for QLD for trailer ATM above 2000 kg.

In your case Barry I'd say you have a towbar not fit for purpose and I'd be returning it to the fitter for reterfication

Even the RACQ have the wrong info on thier web

AnswerID: 541332

Follow Up By: The Bantam - Wednesday, Nov 05, 2014 at 15:44

Wednesday, Nov 05, 2014 at 15:44
You need to get this straight.

equipment for industrial lifting is rated in working load limit (W.W.L.)or safe working load( S.W.L.)
Lifting equipment is rated with very generous safety margins.

This is not the case with towing equipment or recovery equipment, height safety equipment or mountaineering equipment....all these are in general rated at failure or breakage.

BUT we do interchange equipment across disciplines.

Because we are not we are not talking about a trailer being lifting equipment we in general resolve everything into minimum breaking strain or minimum failure load ( which may not mean breakage)

ALL shackles rated for industrial lifting purposes MUST by law and standard have at least a 4 to 1 safety factor...and that is minimum failure load..distortion is failure.

Where this 6:1 came from as something youcan rely on..I do not know.

SO a 1 tonne lifting industry shackle must by law and standard have a minimum falure loading of 4 tonnes.

Fact is most reputable lifting equipment manufacturers work on, at least 5 or 6 to one safety factors and the better ones 7 and 8 to one safety factors....a realy nice 1 tonne shackle may be good for 7 or 8 tonnes.

BUT not being able to know the brand for sure and thus the safety factor we must work on is 4:1.

The ADRs specify the minumim breaking strain of the safety chain and the attchment points..( not in those words)....not the SWL or WWL.

The ADRs do not specifically nominate the strength of the shackle

BUT
By inference it would be an "attachment point" or must be equal or greater than the attachment point on the drawbar.


quote VSB01

16.3 Drawbar Safety Chain Attachment Points

Safety chain attachment points are the means by which the safety chains are attached to the drawbar. These points must be located as near as practicable to the tow coupling. Where two points of attachment are required, they must be mounted one on either side of the centreline of the drawbar.
Each safety chain attachment point must be capable of withstanding the following minimum forces without incurring either any residual deformation that would interfere or degrade the function of the assembly, or any breaks, cracks or separation of components:

Longitudinal tension and compression (N) 1.5 x 9.81 x ATM (in kg)

Vertical tension and compression (N) 0.5 x 9.81 x ATM (in kg).

in the equasion the 9.81 is to convert Kg to Neutons

so the attachment point must be able to withstand 1.5 times the ATM of the trailer..

THUS
if it is a 2 tonne trailer ( 3 tonne requirement)....a 1 tonne shackle will be sufficient ( having at least a 4 tonne capacity)


There may be some that should know better and say other wise.
But you may not get a 2 tonne WWL shackle thru 3 tonne breaking strain chain......particulary if it is either transport or lifting grade chain



without any reference to regulations or tables....you should be using the largest shackle that will fit thu the chain fitted


If you are in doubt about anything trailer..start with VSB01 here http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/vsb1/vsb_01_b.aspx#anc_16

cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - Frank P (NSW) - Wednesday, Nov 05, 2014 at 17:25

Wednesday, Nov 05, 2014 at 17:25
Good post, Bantam.

To
"without any reference to regulations or tables....you should be using the largest shackle that will fit thu the chain fitted"

I would add

"or that will fit to the chain attachment points on the tow bar"

Reason being that the max size rated shackles the factory towbar on my Prado will accept is 1 tonne (for a 2.5 tonne rated towbar) and Barry seems to have the same problem on his BT50 for a 3.5 tonne towbar.

I would be very wary of enlarging the holes or slots of the attachment points to take larger shackles as has been mentioned by another poster. You could easily end up weakening the attachment points.

Cheers
FrankP

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Follow Up By: The Bantam - Wednesday, Nov 05, 2014 at 18:05

Wednesday, Nov 05, 2014 at 18:05
If you use the largest shackle that fits you simply can't go wrong.

All the other components should be engineered adequately and sized correctly....and if they aren't ya cant do a damn thing about it.

you can not enlarge the hole in the tow bar...as the manufacturer would then wipe their hands of the whole thing.


This whole S.W.L./W.L.L. relationship with minimum rated breaking strain........is so poorly understood and trips so many people up...and many smart people who should know better.

At least the message it getting thru that quality rated shackles are a must.

If you buy in the right place they are cheaper than buying non rated rubbish at the local hardware.

I have seen some rediculous things used as connecting devices for safety chains.

Best place to buy your rated shackles is at you local specialist bolt shop.

AND buy BOW shackles rather than D shackles.....they perform better off line and they give more room to do stuff.

I use a half tonne rated bow shackle (2 tonne pluss strength) to connect my little 750kg box trailer...because that is as big as will fit in the chain......I would not get a 1/2 tonne D shackle into the toyota factory to bar.

cheers
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Reply By: Member - johntoyo - Wednesday, Nov 05, 2014 at 19:45

Wednesday, Nov 05, 2014 at 19:45
Barry, agree with posts regarding 'S/6' rated bow shackles. A WLL2 tonne shackle has a pin diameter of 5/8" and a minimum BL of 12 tonne.
If this will not go through the holes in your tow bar, you could consider getting a couple of 'hammer locks' which would when fitted be a semi permanent and rated attachment point for the shackles.

There are many many posts on various CV forums which have covered this topic.

Good luck, as I don't believe you will be need to change your tow bar, and certainly do not modify it.

John.
AnswerID: 541342

Reply By: BARRY F2 - Wednesday, Nov 05, 2014 at 19:48

Wednesday, Nov 05, 2014 at 19:48
The shackles Are Wll1t S A2 10mm Supplied By Mazda Which Have A Load Rating Of 1 Ton And A Breaking Strain Of 6 Ton, Towing A 2.5 Ton Caravan I Have Always Had 2 Ton Rated shackles Thats Why I Asked As It seemed A Bit confusing As For Load Rating And Breaking Strain, But Thanks For The information As I Still Might Go Back To Mazda And See What They Have To Say About About Rating If Only For insurance Of The Car/caravan
AnswerID: 541344

Follow Up By: Member - Frank P (NSW) - Friday, Nov 07, 2014 at 18:50

Friday, Nov 07, 2014 at 18:50
Barry,

I was chasing up another matter today with NSW RMS (Roads and Maritime Services, the rego authority in NSW) and with this topic in mind asked about shackles.

The NSW requirement for a van of ATM 2500kg registered in NSW is rated chain 10mm dia links attached to the vehicle with 12.7mm rated shackles. NSW does not use WLL or BLL etc. However the 12.7mm bow shackles I have are stamped WLL 1.5

This link refers.

I would hazard a guess that the NSW requirement is likely to be the most stringent so if you followed it you probably wouldn't go wrong. (Subject to verification if you or anyone else has the time to do the research.)

Hope this helps.

Cheers
FrankP

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