A Complete Selection of High-Quality Eye Bolts for your Rigging Project!

Eye bolts are crucial components in rigging and lifting operations, providing a reliable attachment point for slings, cables, or other hardware. The various types of eye bolts, including regular eye bolts, shoulder eye bolts, and machinery eye bolts, offer specific features suited to different applications in the rigging industry.

1. Regular Eye Bolts:

• Design: Regular eye bolts have a simple design with a circular eye at one end and a threaded shank at the other. The eye provides a convenient attachment point, and the threaded shank allows for secure installation into a pre-drilled hole or threaded opening.
• Applications: Regular eye bolts are commonly used for general-purpose lifting and rigging where a straightforward attachment point is required. They are suitable ONLY for vertical lifts and can be used in a variety of industries, including construction and manufacturing.

2. Shoulder Eye Bolts:

• Design: Shoulder eye bolts have an additional shoulder or collar between the eye and the threaded shank. This shoulder provides a more stable and secure connection by reducing bending forces on the eye after installation.
• Applications: Shoulder eye bolts are preferred in applications where angular loading may occur. The shoulder helps maintain alignment of the eye, ensuring a stable and reliable position. They are often used in lifting and rigging scenarios where stability is crucial. Keep in mind that angular loading (as opposed to vertical loading) drastically reduces the eye bolt's Working Load Limit (WLL).

3. Machinery Eye Bolts:

• Design: Machinery eye bolts are similar to shoulder eye bolts, except that they are designed to be screwed directly into the lifting material, in a pre-threaded hole. They are not designed to protrude through to the other side, which is why the shank length is short. Capacity is achieved by a solid connection with the threads, with the shoulder resting neatly up against the lifting material.
• Applications: Machinery eye bolts are commonly used for hanging and hoisting. Like all eye bolts, they suffer a reduced WLL when loaded at an angle. For example, loading at 45º yields only a 30% efficiency. That means if your eye bolt is rated for 10,000 lbs for a vertical lift, then at a 45º angle, your WLL is reduced to 3,000 lbs!
• When angular loading is necessary, we strongly recommend a Hybrid Lifting Point, such as the Crosby Slide-Loc, or a Swivel Hoist Ring. Such products allow you to retain 100% capacity even at 90º.

Key Considerations for Using Eye Bolts in Rigging:

• Alignment: Proper alignment of the eye with the direction of the load is critical to prevent side loading, which could compromise the strength of the eye bolt.
• Thread Engagement: Ensure that the eye bolt is threaded securely into the substrate to achieve the necessary load capacity. Incomplete thread engagement can lead to instability and failure.
• Working Load Limit (WLL): Adhere to the manufacturer's specified working load limit (WLL) for the specific type and size of the eye bolt. Exceeding the WLL can result in unsafe conditions.
• Angular Loading: Eye bolts are best used in vertical lifting applications as angular loading has a dramatic impact on their rated capacity.
• Inspection: Regularly inspect eye bolts for signs of wear, deformation, or damage. Damaged eye bolts should be replaced promptly to maintain safety.

Whether it's a regular eye bolt for general lifting, a shoulder eye bolt for added stability, or a machinery eye bolt for thread-in applications, choosing the right type of eye bolts depends on the requirements of the rigging task at hand. Rigging professionals should always follow safety guidelines, manufacturer specifications, and industry best practices to ensure safe and efficient lifting operations.