A component connector is the link that lets a chain sling be built and rebuilt. It opens, takes the chain end link and a fitting, and closes with a load pin and retaining pin — so a worn hook can be swapped without cutting chain or returning the whole assembly.
The Kito Grade 10 range carries an unusually wide temperature rating: -40 °C to +400 °C. Most Grade 10 fittings stop at +200 °C. That makes this range usable in foundries, forges, heat treatment and furnace work where a standard Grade 10 assembly would be outside its certification — though reductions in Working Load Limit apply above +200 °C.
Key Features
- Field-serviceable connection: Opens to accept a chain end link and a fitting, then closes on a load pin and retaining pin
- -40 °C to +400 °C: Far wider than the -20 °C to +200 °C of most Grade 10 ranges, with derating above +200 °C
- Grade 10 capacity: Meets BS EN 1677-1 plus 25% of loads, so a lighter fitting does the work of a larger Grade 8 one
- Nine sizes: Chain 6 mm through 26 mm, covering light rigging to heavy lifting
- Grey painted finish: Identifies the Kito Grade 10 range on site — which is why fittings must never be repainted
- Fully marked: Material grade, manufacturer’s ID, size, product ID mark and traceability code, with certificate
Technical Specifications
| Product Code |
Part No. |
Chain Dia (mm) |
G (mm) |
H (mm) |
O (mm) |
R (mm) |
P x L (mm) |
| G10CC6 |
WLK6 |
6 |
7.6 |
7.8 |
14 |
44 |
4.8 x 39 |
| G10CC7 |
WLK7 |
7 |
9 |
10 |
17 |
51 |
6 x 47 |
| G10CC8 |
WLK8 |
8 |
10 |
11.5 |
18 |
61.5 |
6.3 x 53 |
| G10CC10 |
WLK10 |
10 |
12.6 |
12.6 |
22.5 |
72 |
8 x 63 |
| G10CC13 |
WLK13 |
13 |
16.7 |
19 |
27.5 |
88 |
10 x 79 |
| G10CC16 |
WLK16 |
16 |
21 |
21 |
33 |
103 |
14 x 106 |
| G10CC20 |
WLK19-20 |
19/20 |
23.5 |
29.5 |
41.5 |
115 |
16 x 123 |
| G10CC22 |
WLK22 |
22 |
27 |
29 |
48.5 |
135 |
16 x 144 |
| G10CC26 |
WLK26 |
26 |
30 |
32 |
56.5 |
171 |
19 x 165 |
Working Load Limits and the full dimensional data for every size are given in the user information sheet. Note the 20 mm connector suits both 19 mm and 20 mm chain.
BS EN 1677-1 +25% of Loads | Grade 10 | -40 °C to +400 °C | LOLER Ready
Meets the Working Load Limit performance requirements of BS EN 1677-1 plus 25% of loads. Grade 10 alloy steel with a grey painted finish. Marked with material grade, manufacturer’s identification, size, product ID mark and traceability code, and supplied with a certificate. Rated for continuous service from -40 °C to +400 °C, with reductions in Working Load Limit applying above +200 °C — see the user information sheet for the derating figures. Under LOLER 1998, lifting accessories require thorough examination by a competent person at intervals not exceeding 12 months.
Suitable Applications
Used to build and repair chain sling assemblies: joining chain to master links, hooks, shortening clutches and shackles without a separate coupling link. The wide temperature rating makes this range the choice for foundry, forge, heat treatment and furnace work, and for cold store or winter outdoor use at the other end of the scale. Keep the whole assembly to one grade — mixing Grade 8 and Grade 10 components derates the sling to the lower grade and it must be marked accordingly.
More About This Product
Shackles are the most-handled component in any lifting operation, and that is precisely why they wear out first. A sling gets rigged and derigged; a shackle gets rigged, derigged, dropped, driven over, thrown into a box and picked up by whoever needs one. Most lifting gear fails from a single overload; shackles fail from accumulated inattention.
The grade markings matter more than most people realise. A Grade 6 high tensile shackle to BS EN 13889 and a Grade 8 alloy shackle look similar and share the same body shape, but the alloy version carries considerably more at the same size. Once a shackle is in a box with fifty others, the only way to tell them apart is the marking — which is why an unmarked shackle has to be scrapped no matter how good it looks.
Understanding the Load Path
A shackle has two distinct load-bearing elements and they do different jobs. The bow takes the sling; the pin takes the load. Reverse that — put the sling on the pin and the load on the bow — and two things happen. The sling bears on a smaller radius than it was designed for, and any movement in the sling starts to rotate the pin.
On a screw collar pin that rotation is the failure mechanism. A sling shifting under a settling load, or vibration transmitted from plant nearby, will slowly unscrew the pin over minutes or hours. It rarely happens quickly enough for anyone to see it happening.
The second consideration is angle. A shackle loaded in line with the pin carries its full rating. Loaded at an angle across the bow it carries substantially less, and published derating tables cover a limited range of angles — beyond that range no figure is published because none applies. On a multi-leg sling every leg is at an angle by definition, which is why the bow shackle exists and why putting a multi-leg sling into a dee shackle is a genuine mistake rather than a preference.
How to Use
- Match the chain size exactly: The connector is machined for one chain diameter. Too small will not close, too large will not seat.
- Fit the load pin and retaining pin correctly: Both are required. The retaining pin is what stops the load pin migrating out under vibration.
- Check the assembly is one grade throughout: Mixing grades derates the whole sling.
- Derate above +200 °C: The rating runs to +400 °C but the Working Load Limit reduces. Use the figures in the user information sheet.
- Recertify after building or altering an assembly: Proof testing and certification by a competent person is required.
- Do not modify: Never weld, heat, machine, drill or repaint.
Warning: The retaining pin must always be fitted. Without it the load pin can work out under vibration and the connection fails. Never mix chain grades within an assembly without derating to the lower grade and recertifying.
Safety Information
- Never exceed the marked Working Load Limit.
- Use components of the same grade throughout the assembly.
- Operating range -40 °C to +400 °C, with derating above +200 °C.
- Withdraw any fitting showing wear beyond the manufacturer’s stated limit, distortion, cracks or a seized mechanism.
- Never weld, heat treat, machine or repaint.
- Assemblies built or altered require proof testing and recertification.
- Thorough examination by a competent person required at intervals not exceeding 12 months under LOLER 1998.
Inspection and Maintenance
The pins are the wear points and the part most often lost. Confirm both the load pin and the retaining pin are present, correctly seated and undamaged, and check the pin bores for elongation, which is the first sign of overload. Measure the body at its bearing points against original dimensions and withdraw at the manufacturer’s stated wear limit. Look for distortion and cracking at the point of maximum curvature, and confirm the grade marking and traceability code remain legible — an unidentifiable fitting must be withdrawn regardless of condition. On assemblies used at temperature, check for heat discolouration and scaling.
Downloads
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does a component connector actually do?
It joins chain to a fitting without needing a separate coupling link. It opens, takes the chain end link and the fitting, then closes on a load pin secured by a retaining pin. That means a worn hook can be replaced without cutting chain.
Q: Why is the temperature range so wide?
-40 °C to +400 °C is unusual for Grade 10 — most stop at +200 °C. It makes this range usable in foundries and heat treatment where a standard Grade 10 assembly would be outside its certification. Reductions in Working Load Limit apply above +200 °C.
Q: Can I mix this with Grade 8 components?
Physically yes, but the whole assembly must then be derated to Grade 8, marked accordingly and recertified. Simpler and safer to keep an assembly to one grade throughout.
Q: Why must I not repaint it?
The grey finish identifies the Kito Grade 10 range, and paint conceals the cracks and wear an inspection is looking for. Repainting a lifting fitting is grounds for withdrawal.
