Jason asks:

Who is responsible for putting tags on chain slings?  Can I retag my chain slings with missing tags?  Do I have to load test a sling after I retag it?

Peter answers:

It is the sling manufacturer’s responsibility.  The sling manufacturer is a person or company assembling or fabricating sling components into their final form.  The sling manufacturer and the manufacturer of the sling materials may or may not be identical.  An end user who buys components and assembles them mechanically is the sling manufacturer. If the user does not know who the sling manufacturer is because the old tag fell off and went missing, then a decision needs to be made.  It is the user’s or rigger’s responsibility to maintain the tag and be sure it remains legible.  A rigger can not use a sling without a tag or when a tag is illegible or missing information.

A Question of Competency

Can the user properly inspect and retag the sling? For retagging, the user would need to start his own serial number for documentation purposes.  In doing so, this user would become the “sling manufacturer.”   This can only be done if the user is properly trained and deemed competent.  Per OSHA,  a person who tags a sling must be a competent person designated by the employer.  ASME B30.9 states: replacement of the sling identification shall be considered a repair.  Slings shall be repaired only by the sling manufacturer or a qualified person.   A repair shall be marked to identify the repairing agency. To be considered competent and or qualified, the user should have some inspection experience and complete a rigging gear inspection course from a reputable training organization.

If the user feels they are not competent to properly inspect and retag the sling, they would need to send the sling out to a rigging house with a competent person for inspection and retagging.  That rigging house now becomes the “sling manufacturer.”  Tags must have information per OSHA 1910.184(e) Alloy steel chain slings.  I have noted the key points below referencing both OSHA and ASME standards:

OSHA 1910.184(e)(1) Sling Identification
Alloy steel chain slings shall have permanently affixed durable identification stating size, grade, rated capacity, and reach.

ASME B30.9:  SECTION 9-1.7: Sling Identification
9-1.7.1 Identification Requirements

Each sling shall be marked to show:
(a) name or trademark of manufacturer
(b) grade
(c) nominal chain size
(d) number of legs
(e) rated loads for the type(s) of hitch(es) used and the angle upon which it is based
(f) length (reach).

A load test is not required if a sling is made up of individual load tested components from the component manufacturer.  If the sling is always found in acceptable condition per ASME B30.9, OSHA 1910.184 and manufacturers’ recommendations, then the sling can remain in service without ever needing another load test performed.

Interested in getting trained? Learn more about our upcoming training classes.

History has proven the American-Made CM Super Strong Shackle is one of the most popular shackles on the market. Here are the top 5 reasons I think that’s true:

1. It’s Super Strong
That’s an obvious one, right? But in many cases, by using the Super Strong Shackle, you can use a smaller size shackle while maintaining the required strength and ductility. Our Super Strong Shackles are carbon type shackles which average 17%-50% greater strength than a comparable shackle. As a result of this strength, these shackles have a 6:1 design factor.

2. A Wide Product Offering
We have a full range of sizes and finishes in our Super Strong Shackle product offering.  Below are two brochures available for you to download. Our  CM Shackle Technical Brochure highlights performance characteristics and test data, and our Super Strong Shackle brochure features our complete Super Strong Shackle product offering.

3. Proud to be Compliant with the “Buy American Act”
Our chain and rigging attachments are made in the great state of Tennessee, USA. In accordance with the Buy American Act, we can provide you a Certificate of Compliance at your request. Learn more about the Buy American Act.

4. Meets RRC-271 Specifications
The Super Strong Shackle has to be de-rated to meet the specification of RRC- 271. What does this mean? The Super Strong Shackle has the same dimension of the standard carbon shackle that meets RRC 271, however, it’s much stronger. For example, a 1” CM Super Strong Shackle has a WLL of 10 ton, but RRC 271 requirements are 8-1/2. Because they exceed the requirements and are marked with higher strengths, the Super Strong Shackles cannot be represented as meeting RRC 271.

5. It’s In-Stock. We Guarantee It!
Columbus McKinnon is committed and prepared to ship our most popular chain and forged attachment products in 3 days – and we guarantee it! This is our In-Stock Guarantee (ISG). Currently, we offer more than 135 America-made Chain and Rigging Products that are guaranteed to be in stock and ready to ship.

Our In-Stock Guarantee features a number of popular Super Strong Shackles from 3/16” to 1”.
Check out our In-Stock Guarantee video

See our Rigging Products
If you plan to be at the AWRF General Meeting & PIE in Fort Worth, Texas on April 29th, please stop by our Booth 808 and say hello! We will be glad to show you our rigging offering first hand.

Check our our recent blog article: “What makes our American made Super Strong Shackle super?”

Hook tip loading is a common problem. While reading through one of our catalogs, Brian ran across our instructions and asked the following question,  “What does it mean to never insert a hook tip?”

Peter answers:

Hooks typically do not fit into an eyebolt or they don’t seat properly in the saddle of the hook.  This can cause side loading and weaken the strength of the eyebolt.  Inserting a hook directly into the eye of the bolt often results in “Tip Loading.”   A “tip load” would be any load on a hook that is not entirely or wholly seated in the saddle of the hook.  Tip loading subjects the hook to an overload and is never acceptable. It is recommended that a shackle be used to connect a hook to any eyebolt to prevent any unnecessary stress. Please see the below illustration for the correct procedure.

For additional reference, please review the ASME B30.10 Hooks  and B30.26 Rigging Hardware safety.

Sight and Sound Theatre, the largest faith-based theatre in America, partnered with Mountain Productions to complete a full and permanent hoist/motor installation at their Lancaster County, PA theatre.  Using all American Made chain hoists provided by Columbus McKinnon, Mountain Productions prepared and coordinated the package for ease of installation, while Motion Labs provided the electrics, controllers and programming. Sight and Sound continues its tradition of using the most state-of-the-art equipment to maintain the highest quality productions for which the theatre is famous.

D8+ Chain Hoists are the hoist of choice in theatre applications.

Sight and Sound selected our new model Lodestar D8 chain hoists, (1 ton -Model L - and 1/2 ton – Model F), featuring a double brake on each hoist.  The Lodestar D8 is legendary in the industry, and we have recently added several features to the hoist, further ensuring steady and reliable operation.

Along with the Lodestar D8 units, Prostar chain hoists were also installed. The Prostar is a lighter, quieter and more portable hoist that is designed for unique rigging applications in tight quarters. Combined, the Lodestar D8 and Prostar offer versatility, allowing for a variety of rigging configurations at the theatre.

The motor control and load monitoring systems were supplied by Motion Laboratories, a cutting edge company known for their high quality power distribution and motor control systems. The state-of-the-art PLC touchscreen system handles motor control and load monitoring at the theatre. The ability to program specific presets into the system makes the PLC an efficient motor control/load monitoring solution. Sight and Sound’s professional riggers will be able to lower and raise loads with ease, and rely on the system’s precision to always keep equipment on point.  Load Cells will be used for accurate load monitoring, supporting the safety of the system.

New rigging grid reduces maintenance time and show preparation.

One of the key benefits of this system is the amount of time the theatre will save on maintenance and preparation for shows. Glen Broderson from Sight and Sound led his team in making the decision to install the new rigging grid. He expressed how much easier it will be to pinpoint individual electrics for maintenance thanks to the soft limit system. This also makes prep time between productions quicker and more convenient. “With the new system, going from a 40 ft trim to a 30 ft trim is just a push of a few buttons,” Glen shared. The whole process has been valuable to Glen and his team.  Everyone is excited to see how the theatre will use the installation in future productions.

Sight and Sound Theatre

Always striving to push the envelope with new technology and productions, the Sight and Sound Theatre remains an innovator in the theatrical industry. If you happen to be in the neighborhood, consider checking out their latest production of Noah. 

Thank you to Mountain Productions, for sharing this application story and to the Sight & Sound Theatre  for use of their photography.  For more original photos of this installation, check out  Mountain Productions’ Blog.

We are changing the way we do business.
Changes that not only affect Columbus McKinnon and our Channel Partners, but the entire material handling industry.

We are committed, and now prepared, to ship our most popular chain and forged attachment products in 3 days – and we guarantee it. This is our In-Stock Guarantee (ISG). This is not a promotion, but a new industry-changing way of doing business.

The ISG business model has been developed from the top down, with a focus on providing best-in-class service and the most popular chain and forged attachment products that our end-users use every day. For our Channel Partners and distributors, it means that they can reduce their inventory while increasing their cash flow. It also means that they’ll be able to deliver products to their customers on time, every time.

Currently, Columbus McKinnon offers more than 135 chain and rigging products that are guaranteed to be in stock and ready to ship — and made in America.

Watch our video to learn more about the In-Stock Guarantee, and meet some of the hard-working CMCO Associates who are committed to ship in 3 days.

Richard asks:

What is the working load limit of a ½ “ – G80 2-legged chain sling when both legs are used in a choke?

Peter answers:

The first thing that you want to do is to look at how the choke is rigged or rendered.  Working load limits shown on charts or tags for vertical chokes are based on the angle of choke being 120 degrees or greater.  If there is less than a 120 degree angle of choke, the choke rating must be reduced further. Once we determine the correct choke rating, we can take into account the angle of loading.

First you take the choke rating and multiply it by the SIN of the angle x 2 = Rating of a two leg sling used in a choke.

Example: 
Our charts show that ½” grade 80 chain is good for 9,600 lbs when pulled vertically with a choke hitch of 120 degrees or greater.   Let’s assume when this double sling is rigged at a 60 degree angle it has a choke hitch of 120 degrees or greater.   Our working load limit for this sling is 9600 lbs x .866 ( sin of 60 degrees) = 8314 lbs x 2 legs = 16628 lbs.

Another way is to take the rating of the sling at a 60 degree angle and reduce it by 20%. Again assuming 120 degree angle of choke, ½” Grade 80 double sling chain is good for 20,800 lbs  (at a 60 degree angle)  x .8 (20% reduction):  rating: 16640 lbs.

Our first example is a little more conservative.

If you want to learn more about rigging, check out our rigging training.

Chain has been used by people to pull, fasten and pick things up for over 2000 years. The form of chain has not changed much over the years, whereas the manufacturing of chain has. With the modern advances in metallurgy and manufacturing techniques, chain is a much better quality today. During these advances we have come to realize that we can control the quality of chain. Even though all chain has the basic same shape it does not mean all chain has the same properties. For example, we have several grades of chain; 30, 43, 70, 80 & 100. Each grade has different properties.

Understanding the Different Grades of Chain
Grade 80 & 100 chains are manufactured with alloys that allow them to stretch or elongate. This visible deformation alerts the operator that the chain must be removed from service. Alloy chains are designed for overhead lifting. The lower grades (30, 43 & 70) are carbon chain designed for pulling, agricultural & load securement applications. These grades are not designed for overhead lifting.

Determining a Chain’s Grade, Size and WLL
The best way to know what grade of chain you have is to look on the links themselves. Each chain link should be embossed with the grade, size & manufacturer’s name. All manufactured chain should have these markings, which will allow the user to determine the working load limit (WLL) of the chain.

WLL charts are available from the US D.O.T. or the chain manufacturer. Columbus McKinnon offers an online WLL calculator here.

Using Chain as Tie-Downs
The one thing all of these chains have in common is that all can be used as tie-downs. The majority of chain used for tie-downs is Grade 70, also known as transport chain. It is easily recognized because of the gold colored plating which distinguishes it from other chains; however, we recommend that the operator verify the grade by its embossed identification.

A Typical Application
Let’s say Phil picks up a load and uses the tie-downs he has had on his truck for years. When he purchased them new they were Grade 70, 3/8” chain with a WLL of 6,600lbs. Over time the plating has worn off and the embossing has become illegible, but Phil knows what the tie-downs are. So Phil finishes securing his load and starts down the highway. He drives for a few hundred miles and pulls into a truck inspection station, confident he has the proper size and number of tie-downs for the load he is carrying.

The inspection is going well until the inspector starts looking at the load and the securement. The markings on the chain are not legible so he uses the Grade 30 WLL rating for 3/8” chain. This is less than half of what Grade 70 3/8” chain is rated for. Phil argues that the chains are Grade 70 but the inspector can only go by what he has in front of him and has to grade them as Grade 30. Citing it as a lower grade chain reduces the WLL below what is required for Phil’s load.

According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) 393.108d, if the marks are not visible or not legible the inspector will consider this tie-down to be the lowest grade (Grade 30). This reduction in grade can result in taking you out of service and possibly a citation.

When it’s all said & done, let’s be safe.
Make sure that the tie-downs you are using are the proper size and grade for your load, are clearly identified as such, and are not damaged or deformed. After all the tie-downs do not belong to your customer, they belong to you. If you’re not sure whether to  use 4 or 5 tie-downs, use 5 — the worst case scenario is that you’ll have more rather than less.

It’s Always Good to Get Trained
Whether you’re a road-hardened veteran or new to the industry, we encourage you get properly trained on how to use & inspect load securement equipment, and stay up to date on regulations and requirements. Check out our FREE Load Securement Webinar on Friday, February 15^th.

We are proud to announce an innovative and ergonomic approach to truck safety for raising and lowering landing gear with our new Dixie Industries Sixth Wheel Ratchet.  Dixie Industries is a well-known name in the trucking and rigging industries for its ratchet binders, chain assemblies, and heavy-duty components and in forestry and farming industries.

The Sixth Wheel Ratchet boasts numerous features that set it apart from the standard S-crank:

• Ergonomically reduces injury risk while operating trailer landing gear – operator can use an ergonomically-correct posture, utilizing body weight while reducing muscle exertion versus a standard crank that operates in a complete circle and requires individuals to exert extremely high forces in postures that are biomechanically inefficient.

• The Sixth Wheel is a proven solution preferred by 80% of drivers in actual use tests.
• Already in use today – Schneider National , Inc. compiled a study on the Sixth Wheel’s effectiveness and decided to outfit their entire fleet with Dixie Industries Sixth Wheel Ratchet.
• A cost effective solution to the ever growing expense of workers compensation claims – a single shoulder surgery is an estimated $42,000 cost to a trucking company or owner-operator. Eliminating just one shoulder injury could provide enough savings to outfit an entire fleet of trailers with Sixth Wheel ratchets.
• Designed to fit all standard landing gear – available in three lengths, the Sixth Wheel Ratchet fits all trailers and all standard landing gear.
• Self-locking security cap provides security – made of hardened steel, the self-locking pin and cap can only be removed by using heavy duty shop equipment like a torch or grinding tool.
• Patented technology – there is only one Sixth Wheel Ratchet, don’t be fooled by knock-offs. Look for US Patent 7,021,659 stamped on all authentic Dixie Industries Sixth Wheel units.

See it in action today. Watch the demo video below:

Want to learn more about this product? Please call our customer service department at 1-800-888-0985 or your local CMCO Sales Manager.

Want to learn more about Load Securement? Click here to view our training offering.

With ProMat 2013 starting this week, we want to give everyone an idea of what they can expect to see at Columbus McKinnon Booth #1838.

First off, expect the unexpected. We’ll be unveiling our most interactive and tech-savvy booth ever. Designed to showcase our brands and innovative products and services, our guests will have the opportunity to participate in a number of hands-on demonstrations and displays.

Guests will get a sneak peek at a ton of soon-to-be-launched products, including:

• CM Universal Trolley (UT). Our most flexible hoist trolley ever.
  The UT can be used with virtually every CMCO electric and air chain
  hoist up to 3-ton capacity, and can fit on various beam widths.
• CM Bandit. Our lightest and most compact ratchet lever hoist ever!
  This rugged hoist is ideal for applications even in the tightest workspaces. Guests can test drive the Bandit, lift a load and check out its great free-chaining feature.
• CM Lodestar 2 Ton Single Reeved electric chain hoist features better headroom and less chain weight; but you can see it and try it for yourself.
• CTP adjustable trolley clamp is a heavy duty, yet economical, trolley designed for easy installation and superior strength. No tools are required
  to move and adjust the CTP to a variety of different sized beams.
• Ergo Pendant Station for CMCO electric chain hoists. See its ergonomic design — developed in partnership with The Ohio State University — feel how comfortably it fits in your hand while you work the legendary CMCO rocker style push button switch.

It doesn’t end there. A number of popular recently-launched products will also be at ProMat, including:

• Yale Global King Wire Rope Hoist. Discover what’s new with this world-class hoist, from Quick Ship units and the 3-year standard warranty to explosion-proof options.
• Dixie Industries Sixth Wheel Ratchet. The patented ergonomic solution for the hazardous task of lowering tractor trailer landing gear. Come by, try it for yourself, and discover how this innovative design can prevent injuries.
• CM Hurricane 360˚ hand chain hoist will be featured in the “Drifting Challenge.” Test your material handling skills and see first-hand how easy it is to drift a load with the Hurricane 360˚— seeing and doing is believing.
• CM Lodestar Cutaway will allow guests to see the inter-workings of an operational Lodestar electric chain hoist. It’s a rare opportunity to see under the cover of a superior design in action.
• Our new hands-on Rigging Display lets you get up close to discover the craftsmanship and engineering forged into all our rigging products. While you’re there, check out some application photos on the digital display.

If you’re at ProMat you won’t be able to miss our new soaring Video Tower featuring the latest product visuals and on-demand product and training information. Lastly, register for a chance to win a seat in a CMCO Training Class of your choice in 2013. Stop by and ask for all the details.

At Columbus McKinnon, we engineer and build innovative material handling products for people and businesses that care about quality, safety, and having the right tools for their applications. Our presence and product offering on display at ProMat 2013 is proof of that. Discover us at Booth #1838.