Doug, If you've seen industrial chain slings for lifting, etc the hammerlock is the hinge bit that joins the chain to the ring (often to the hooks as well). It's load rated and the pin cannot fall out, unlike a D shackle.
Darrell
-- Edited by oldboar on Monday 3rd of September 2012 07:32:34 PM
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Hi all: Is there a quick way to extend chains on a caravan that is legal ? I have to lend my lads vehicle which is much higher than mine, hence the chains wont reach the tow bar. I dont want to weld longer chains if i dont have. Only lending car for week or two while mine is repaired. Any ideas wecome.
yup you hit the nail on the head darrell i copt a $150 fine for a d shackle
hammer locks are cheaper than the fine and you can get them in any chain size most good tool shops have them or trade link and you can remove them if the chain is to long when ya get ya car back
Ok Darrell and dibs you got me, what is a hammerlock please???
Sorry to give you a bum steer there Al, that's the good thing about this forum though you will get great advice and corrected if you are wrong. I stand sorrected.
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TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
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why then is it legal to join the chain to the tug with a rated shackle and not two sections of chain. The pin could fall out of either but could be locked with a locking tire wire. cheers blaze
Some states will accept correct rated shackles to join chains, but most won't. All States say:Where a chain is too short for its application, the preferred method of rectification is to attach an appropriate length of chain the drawbar
Joining of Chains: NSW RTA (Not NRMA) specify the VSB1 standard with a notation that Good Engineering Practice should be taken into account.
No state that I can find will entertain more than one shackle being used if chains are a bit to short. VSB1 alludes to the chain(s) being in one piece, but is non specific>
Hammerlocks which have been around for many decades meet all past and current standards for the safe joining of chains.
Cheers, Ozjohn
-- Edited by ozjohn on Tuesday 4th of September 2012 04:17:01 PM
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why then is it legal to join the chain to the tug with a rated shackle and not two sections of chain. The pin could fall out of either but could be locked with a locking tire wire. cheers blaze
& how many times have we seen idiots who connect the chains with a pad lock or a snap lock?.
JC.
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you can extend the chain with either a hammer lock or a "D"/ Bow" shackel that has a SWL/WLL that matches the chain. There are formulaes for different typs of chain ..... If you want them let me know, and I will post them.... Cheers
The hammerlocks are load bearing to a SWL not for a sudden impact load like a caravan hitch becoming unhitched, the same can be said of shackles and chain. So there lies the problem although none of these products are purposely designed for sudden impact load they are the best we have and have been used very succesfully for years to do the job. I would just use extra shackles or try the suppliers I suggusted, you are not buying a bunnings type product you are trying to buy a specific safety item and need to look at suppliers that supply the industry and not the homemaker industry. cheers blaze
Just recieved email from the RMA NSW, in regards to my querie of joining 2 shackles on the 1 chain. They mention Aust standards n/o 16.2 of the legal requirements, towing etc. They mention A/S numbers 4177.4-1994 or 4177.4-2004. whatever they are ! No mention whatsoever in regards too my querie on the joining of shackles. If they cant answer my question I doubt if any rule applies.
I have expressed this in my reply to them and hope for an answer. It seems to me if you have rated shackles you should be ok.
Just been advised by the RMA to check with standards Aust regarding AS4177.4-2004. I will now continue using double shackles until I am convinced otherwise. RMA advises they become part of the chain.
NFA.
Dick.
-- Edited by littledick on Wednesday 19th of September 2012 05:45:05 PM
