18-Ton-Capacity Shackles Help Arborist Work

June 16, 2021 - Arborist Adaptable Aerial Solutions LLC has added two 18-ton capacity Crosby G2140 shackles to its inventory—sourced from FAD Equipment Store.

The purchase was made by Steve Connally, the owner of Adaptable, or Craneva, as its website is known.

An arborist of 25 years, Connally uses a variety of rigging gear and tools, usually with his iconic Palfinger knuckleboom crane.

The Crosby G2140 alloy bolt-type shackles, available in capacities from 2 to 175 tons, add a greater strength-to-weight ratio to Craneva’s pruning or felling applications, compared to the 13- and 15-ton capacity shackles already in the toolbox.

The new shackles are used with a 26,000-lb. capacity Crosby Straightpoint Radiolink+ load cell. Connally also uses a 60kN (13,488-lbf.) capacity load pin from the same manufacturer.

Connally said, “I wanted to move to a nutted and pinned setup for safety, and the reduction in weight was appealing. The nut and pin allow an additional safety aspect that is critical in my line of work. The streamlined set-up and the additional level of safety is worth it on any project. The shackles were supplied with bolt, nut and cotter pin.”

He highlighted other features, including similarity to the G2130 version but superior alloy steel construction means maximum capacity versus size. The anchor bow style accommodates loads or pulls from multiple angles, ideal for installations where the load may slide causing the pin to rotate. All sizes are individually proof loaded to two times working load limit.

Connally is a leader in his field. He is an NCCCO certified crane operator and has been using cranes in arboreal applications for 25 years.

Also, he and the team are fully trained in arborist rigging and technical rescue rigging operations. Connally is also an instructor at the Crane Safety Climber School, a class for arborists working with cranes for tree work.

He added: “The FAD Equipment Store has an excellent inventory at reasonable prices. The ordering and shipping were efficient and timely. I would consider future purchases, including chain bridles and lifting slings, which are integral to our work.”