Rated shackles and Reece towbar
Submitted: Friday, Feb 25, 2022 at 11:13
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wato35
My Reece towbar holes are too small to fit my rated shackles. Can I weld them on or is that illegal? What do you do?
Thanks
Reply By: Mikee5 - Friday, Feb 25, 2022 at 11:35
Friday, Feb 25, 2022 at 11:35
I used rated hammerlocks in the towbar holes. Permanent easy fix.
AnswerID:
639607
Reply By: Member - Jim S1 - Friday, Feb 25, 2022 at 11:39
Friday, Feb 25, 2022 at 11:39
I assume , wato, that you are trying to fit the shackle pin through the towbar holes.
Don't think you can play with towbars and shackles in any way.
Have a look at "hammerlock" fittings. They might be a solution. Fit them to the towbar, and then use your shackle to link onto the hammerlock.
https://allaboutlifting.com.au/product/connectors-g80-2/
Cheers
Jim
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AnswerID:
639608
Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Friday, Feb 25, 2022 at 20:46
Friday, Feb 25, 2022 at 20:46
I suggest that if the pin of a rated shackle will not fit through the hold, neither will a hammerlock. The bulk of the joining bits of the device are as large as the bulbous ends on the shackles.
FollowupID:
918690
Follow Up By: Member - Warren H - Saturday, Feb 26, 2022 at 14:00
Saturday, Feb 26, 2022 at 14:00
That's exactly what lots of people do. The HR towbar on my Pajero has quite small holes, whereas the HR fitted to my Maverick had large slots. Even after fitting the biggest hammerlocks that would fit through the holes, the shackles I had been using with the Maverick wouldn't fit through the hammerlocks, I still had to buy smaller shackles. The hammerlocks make it so much easier.
FollowupID:
918694
Follow Up By: Batt's - Thursday, Mar 03, 2022 at 07:55
Thursday, Mar 03, 2022 at 07:55
The issue with permanently fitting any device is when not in use it should be secured so it doesn't swing around because most people don't think about wear on the pins at all or simply dismiss it because they don't know any better. It will reduce its load rating faster over time because any lifting equipment gets downgraded when there are any signs of wear doesn't matter if it's being used for lifting or towing. I have always removed shackles but see lots of people still driving around with them fitted I worked around cranes and lifting equipment for 20yrs so maybe I'm more cautious especially when towing. Shackles etc should be regularly inspected and replaced when needed, these days there should be info available on the net to help you with how to inspect them.
FollowupID:
918746
Reply By: Member - Core420 - Friday, Feb 25, 2022 at 11:47
Friday, Feb 25, 2022 at 11:47
You could get a tow bar recovery hitch.
AnswerID:
639609
Reply By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Friday, Feb 25, 2022 at 19:20
Friday, Feb 25, 2022 at 19:20
Illegal or not, you shouldn't be welding anything like that. The shackles would not be mild steel and the tow bar is so that's a problem right there for a novice welder. Michael
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AnswerID:
639616
Reply By: Dixie61 - Friday, Feb 25, 2022 at 19:37
Friday, Feb 25, 2022 at 19:37
General information - Nobles
https://www.nobles.com.au › DWSDownload › Sh...PDF
Grade S Shackles should not be used at all for temperatures above 400°C. 10. Do not attempt to weld or apply heat to shackles. WARNING. • Lifting equipment ...
AnswerID:
639617
Reply By: Member - Broodie H3 - Friday, Feb 25, 2022 at 19:52
Friday, Feb 25, 2022 at 19:52
Hi Wato, just a thought, have you thought about using a three tonne rated shackle as you haven't told us what size shackles you are using, so I have presumed it is either a five or six tonne rated shackle, but I am only guessing and I am probably wrong
AnswerID:
639618
Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Friday, Feb 25, 2022 at 20:23
Friday, Feb 25, 2022 at 20:23
I think the legal requirement of the shackles is to retain the trailer if it comes off the hitch.
The towbar must withstand a rearward force of 1.5 times its rating. For a 3.5T rating, that is 5.25T.
"Rated" shackles are not a requirement, but having them is the only way to know their strength.
But the strength required is a breaking strain of 5.25T. That is not its "rating" which is at least 3X (or maybe 5X) higher.
Therefore one shackle with a 2T "rating" will withstand a force of at least 6t.
Conclusion?
Use smaller shackles.
Problem solvered. :)
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
AnswerID:
639619
Reply By: Nomadic Navara - Friday, Feb 25, 2022 at 21:08
Friday, Feb 25, 2022 at 21:08
What is the ATM of the trailer and what is the rating of the shackle you are attempting to use?
The general requirement for shackles is not set down in legislation. However, some state organisations publish guidelines. A typical one is the WA one -
Safety Chains and Shackles for Trailers under 4.5 tonnes ATM built after 1991. The general principle is that the shackle has to have a breaking strength of 1.5 times the weight of the trailer. The braking strain is around 6 times the SWL of the shackle. There is a table in that document that gives the breaking strain of the various different sizes of shackle.
You may be attempting to use too large a shackle. Also, with most shackles you cannot pass the ends of the U section through the tow bar eye. I only put the pin of my shackles through the holes.
AnswerID:
639620
Reply By: Member - McLaren3030 - Saturday, Feb 26, 2022 at 07:39
Saturday, Feb 26, 2022 at 07:39
Hi Wato35,
As per both “Peters”, use a smaller shackle. WLL/SWL is different to its breaking limit. A lot a people get confused over the terminology when it comes to shackles. A rated shackle with a 1.5 Tonne WLL/SWL has a breaking strain of 9.0 Tonnes.
Macca.
AnswerID:
639623
Reply By: Member - FSH00 - Saturday, Feb 26, 2022 at 22:57
Saturday, Feb 26, 2022 at 22:57
Let’s not forget there are two safety chains on most towable items these days so divide or multiple as needed.
AnswerID:
639633
Reply By: mountainman - Tuesday, Mar 01, 2022 at 15:38
Tuesday, Mar 01, 2022 at 15:38
Funny how everyone worries about the right sized shackles or rated shackles
Yet quite alot of chains are the Nasty gal cheap crap you get from China
When you can actually buy proper rated chains from lifting shops that can be welded
But I'd prefer a shackle to shackle setup
Coming from a coded welder /
Boilermaker trady
AnswerID:
639672
Follow Up By: Kazza055 - Tuesday, Mar 01, 2022 at 16:31
Tuesday, Mar 01, 2022 at 16:31
Even funnier is the concern of using rated shackle and then they overload the rig with enormous vans, tinny and outboard, bikes, fridges etc etc.
Some of them don't even fit additional towing mirrors.
FollowupID:
918737