+44 (0) 1384 567430 Email Us
Shop

Bow Shackles

Choose our high-quality bow shackles for secure and reliable lifting and rigging applications. At LES - Lifting Equipment Store we offer the most extensive rage of bow shackles, all tested for optimal strength and safety. From trusted brands, at competitive prices, coupled with expert advice and customer support, there's no reason to shop anywhere else for your shackles. Shop with confidence today!

Bow Shackles

WHAT ARE BOW SHACKLES?

Bow Shackles are one of the most common types of shackles used in the construction and industrial industries. Sometimes called anchor shackles, bow shackles get their name for their round, o-shaped shape, which appears similar to a bow.

Bow Shackles are used in the rigging, securing and lifting of loads, providing a secure connection between chains, straps, and ropes and the load in question. 

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF A BOW SHACKLE? 

Due to their larger, rounder shape, a Bow Shackle can be attached to multiple loads at the same time, without creating multi-directional tension. Similarly, Bow Shackles are typically preferred for attaching to wider ropes, chains, and straps due to their size. 

WHAT TYPES OF BOW SHACKLES ARE AVAILABLE?

As the term Bow Shackle is only used to indicate the shape of the shackle and nothing more, Bow Shackles can take on many different forms. Bow Shackles are available in a number of different materials, making them applicable to different industries and situations. For example a galvanised steel bow shackle is perfect for use in indoor factory situations, and a stainless steel Bow Shackle is perfect for use in marine and underwater environments due to their high saltwater corrosion resistance.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BOW SHACKLE AND A DEE SHACKLE?

As the two most common types of shackle, Bow Shackles and dee shackles exhibit many of the same qualities, however there are some key differences which make each type better suited to certain situations.

A dee shackle has a straighter shape to Bow Shackle and is therefore better suited to only lifting one load at a time. However, dee shackles tend to be stronger and are used for larger loads than a Bow Shackle.

HOW DO I KNOW IF A BOW SHACKLE HAS BECOME OVERLOADED?

Whilst every individual Bow Shackle will have a weight loading limit or WLL associated with it, it’s not always possible to know what the load being applied to the Bow Shackle is, and the listed WLL may not be the same as the Bow Shackle’s actual WLL due to age or wear and tear. 

If you are doubtful that the Bow Shackle can withstand a load, it’s best to err on the side of caution and either change the shackle, lighten the load, or use more than one shackle to lift or secure the load. That being said, if a Bow Shackle shows signs of bending, warping, or the pin becomes difficult to tighten, it may be overloaded. If this happens, the shackles should be replaced immediately. 

 30 Products

HISTORY OF THE BOW SHACKLE


Bow Shackles have a storied history in the world of construction, dating back multiple centuries. While the exact origin of the term “bow shackle” has no dated origin, it is likely that the name naturally evolved over time, which is why the shackle is also commonly referred to other names too.

Shackles have been used for centuries, but during the industrial development of the 1920s, the Bow Shackle design emerged to meet industrial needs. In 1922, Dirk Van Beest began forging shackles that would later become the Green Pin® brand, recognized globally for quality to this day.

Over time, the design of the Bow Shackle became standardised. Today they now have to comply with specific safety standards, for example, in Europe, they must comply with EN 13889: This European standard is a key requirement for shackles used in all lifting applications.

Subscribe to get savings direct to your inbox

Be the first to know about new arrivals, events, and offers.

Filter Filter & Sort
Brand
Capacity
Price Range
Your Trolley