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.
Worth knowing about this range specifically. Kito Grade 8 fittings are rated -40 °C to +400 °C, where the Cobra Grade 8 range stops at +200 °C. If your work involves foundries, forges, heat treatment or furnace areas, that difference decides which range you can use — reductions in Working Load Limit apply above +200 °C, but the fitting remains certified.
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: Against +200 °C for the Cobra Grade 8 range, with derating above +200 °C
- BS EN 1677-1: The chain fitting standard
- Ten sizes: Chain 6 mm through 26 mm
- Red painted finish: Identifies Grade 8 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 |
Chain Dia (mm) |
Part No. |
A (mm) |
B (mm) |
C (mm) |
D (mm) |
E (mm) |
F (mm) |
P x L (mm) |
| G8CC6 |
6 |
WA58 |
18 |
45 |
18 |
7.8 |
7.6 |
14 |
4.8 x 38.5 |
| G8CC7 |
7 |
WA60 |
19 |
51 |
20 |
10 |
9 |
16 |
6 x 46.5 |
| G8CC8 |
8 |
WA59 |
23 |
62 |
25 |
11.5 |
10 |
18 |
6.3 x 53 |
| G8CC10 |
10 |
WA61 |
27 |
72 |
30 |
12.6 |
12.6 |
23 |
8 x 63.5 |
| G8CC13 |
13 |
WA62 |
34 |
88 |
36 |
19 |
16.7 |
27 |
10 x 79 |
| G8CC16 |
16 |
WA63 |
39 |
103 |
40 |
21 |
21 |
33 |
14 x 106 |
| G8CC20 |
20 |
WA64 |
47 |
116 |
48 |
23 |
23 |
44 |
14 x 108 |
| G8CC22 |
22 |
WA65 |
55 |
133 |
51 |
26.5 |
26.5 |
49 |
16 x 134 |
| G8CC26 |
26 |
WA66 |
66 |
148 |
60 |
31.5 |
31.5 |
60 |
18 x 159 |
| G8CC32 |
32 |
WA67 |
79 |
183 |
69 |
37 |
37 |
67 |
25 x 195 |
Working Load Limits and full dimensional data are in the user information sheet. The 20 mm connector suits both 19 mm and 20 mm chain.
BS EN 1677-1 | Grade 8 | -40 °C to +400 °C | LOLER Ready
Conforms to BS EN 1677-1 for chain fittings. Grade 8 alloy steel with a red 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, thorough examination by a competent person at intervals not exceeding 12 months.
Suitable Applications
Used to build and repair Grade 8 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 where the Cobra Grade 8 range would be outside its certification. Keep the whole assembly to one grade.
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.
- Fit the load pin and retaining pin correctly: Both are required. The retaining pin stops the load pin migrating out under vibration.
- Check the assembly is one grade throughout: Mixing Grade 8 and Grade 10 derates the whole sling to Grade 8.
- Derate above +200 °C: The rating runs to +400 °C but the Working Load Limit reduces.
- 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 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. On assemblies used at temperature, check for heat discolouration and scaling.
Downloads
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Kito Grade 8 or Cobra Grade 8?
Same grade and capacity, but the Kito range runs to +400 °C where Cobra stops at +200 °C. For foundry, forge or heat treatment work that difference decides it. Otherwise choose on price and availability.
Q: What does a component connector do?
It joins chain to a fitting without 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 — so a worn hook can be replaced without cutting chain.
Q: Can I mix this with Grade 10 components?
Physically yes, but the assembly must then be derated to Grade 8, marked accordingly and recertified. Simpler to keep an assembly to one grade.
Q: Why must I not repaint it?
The red finish identifies Grade 8, and paint conceals the cracks and wear an inspection is looking for. Repainting a lifting fitting is grounds for withdrawal.
