Four chain legs cannot all sit properly in one master link — they crowd, foul each other and load the link unevenly. A quad assembly solves it with three components: one master link over the crane hook, and two intermediate links below it, two legs to each.
That keeps the legs separated, lets each hang in line, and loads the top link evenly. It is why a three or four leg sling needs a quad assembly rather than simply a bigger master link.
Supplied made up and certificated as a unit, which removes the proof testing step that any site-built assembly requires.
Key Features
- Three components, supplied assembled: One master link plus two intermediate links, certificated as a unit
- For 3 and 4 leg slings: Keeps the legs separated and loads the top link evenly
- W.L.L. from 4.15 t: Rising through the range, with proof and breaking forces published
- No proof testing step: A certificated assembly arrives ready to build into a sling
- -40 °C to +400 °C: Against +200 °C for the Cobra Grade 80 equivalent
- Fourteen sizes: With weights published from 2.21 kg
Technical Specifications
| Product Code |
Part No. |
D1 (mm) |
L1 (mm) |
W1 (mm) |
D2 (mm) |
L2 (mm) |
W2 (mm) |
W.L.L. (t) |
M.P.F. (kN) |
M.B.F. (kN) |
Weight (kgs) |
| G8QA7T |
T7-8 |
20 |
160 |
95 |
15 |
120 |
70 |
4.15 |
102 |
163 |
2.21 |
| G8QA8T |
T8-8 |
23 |
160 |
110 |
16 |
140 |
80 |
5.35 |
132 |
210 |
3.03 |
| G8QA10T |
T10-8 |
27 |
190 |
110 |
20 |
160 |
95 |
9.4 |
231 |
369 |
5.07 |
| G8QA13T |
T13-8 |
33 |
230 |
130 |
27 |
190 |
110 |
14.2 |
348 |
557 |
10.08 |
| G8QA16T |
T16-8 |
38 |
275 |
150 |
33 |
230 |
130 |
22.3 |
547 |
875 |
17.06 |
| G8QA20T |
T20-8 |
45 |
340 |
180 |
38 |
275 |
150 |
33.4 |
819 |
1,310 |
27.8 |
| G8QA22T |
T22-8 |
50 |
350 |
190 |
45 |
340 |
180 |
40.3 |
988 |
1,580 |
42.2 |
| G8QA7W |
W7-8 |
19 |
135 |
75 |
13 |
60 |
38 |
3.15 |
77.2 |
124 |
1.35 |
| G8QA8W |
W8-8 |
23 |
160 |
90 |
16 |
70 |
34 |
4.25 |
104 |
167 |
2.32 |
| G8QA10W |
W10-8 |
27 |
180 |
100 |
18 |
85 |
40 |
6.7 |
164.3 |
262.8 |
3.58 |
| G8QA13W |
W13-8 |
33 |
200 |
110 |
23 |
115 |
50 |
11.2 |
275 |
439 |
6.57 |
| G8QA16W |
W16-8 |
36 |
260 |
140 |
27 |
140 |
65 |
17 |
417 |
667 |
10.3 |
| G8QA20W |
W20-8 |
45 |
340 |
180 |
33 |
150 |
70 |
26.5 |
650 |
1,040 |
19.3 |
| G8QA22W |
W22-8 |
50 |
350 |
190 |
36 |
170 |
75 |
31.5 |
772 |
1,236 |
25.1 |
Working Load Limits shown are for the assembly in its intended configuration.
BS EN 1677-4 | Grade 8 | 3 and 4 Leg | -40 °C to +400 °C | LOLER Ready
Conforms to BS EN 1677-4 for master links. 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 -40 °C to +400 °C, with reductions in Working Load Limit above +200 °C. Under LOLER 1998, thorough examination by a competent person at intervals not exceeding 12 months.
Suitable Applications
The top assembly on three and four leg Grade 8 chain slings: machinery lifting, fabricated assemblies, moulds and dies, precast concrete and any load requiring four points. The wide temperature rating extends its use into foundry and heat treatment work.
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
- Use the right assembly for the leg count: Three or four legs need a quad assembly.
- Assume three legs carry the load, not four: Unless the load is rigid and the legs precisely equal, the fourth leg stabilises rather than lifts.
- Watch the included angle closely: On a four leg sling the angles compound.
- Check the master link fits the crane hook: Freely, without being forced or able to tip.
- Derate above +200 °C: Use the figures in the user information sheet.
- Do not modify: Never weld, heat, machine, drill or repaint.
Warning: On a four leg sling, do not assume the load divides by four. Unless the load is rigid and the legs exactly equal, three legs take the weight and the fourth stabilises. Sizing on four equal legs is a common and serious overload.
Safety Information
- Never exceed the marked Working Load Limit.
- Use components of the same grade throughout the assembly.
- The master link must fit the crane hook freely without being forced.
- Derate for included angle. As the included angle widens, the tension in each leg rises sharply.
- 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 elongation.
- 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
Inspect all three components. Measure section diameter at the crown of the master link and at every bearing point where the intermediate links sit, and withdraw at the manufacturer’s stated wear limit — the contact faces between links wear against each other and are easily missed. Check each link for elongation by measuring internal length. Confirm the intermediate links still articulate freely without binding.
Downloads
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why not just use a bigger master link for four legs?
Because four legs crowd in one link, foul each other and load it unevenly. The quad assembly separates them so every leg hangs in line.
Q: Does a four leg sling really carry four legs’ worth?
Rarely. Unless the load is rigid and the legs precisely equal, three legs take the weight and the fourth steadies it. Standard practice is to size on three legs.
Q: Why buy it made up?
Any sling built or altered from loose components needs proof testing and certification by a competent person before use. A certificated assembly removes that step.
Q: Grade 8 or Grade 10?
Grade 10 carries about 25% more for the same size. Grade 8 costs less and is the more common stock item.
