Overview:

One of the most commonly used items of lifting gears has severe limitation in usage and a high level of accidents occurs as a result of misuse. Eyebolts are used in a wide variety of applications to provide lifting points on loads. Sometimes the hole they are screwed into is there specifically for the eyebolt. Alternatively, a hole that is primarily intended for some other purpose, such as stud, can be utilized.

Traditionally eyebolts were often fitted to their load and lift in place for life, being regarded s part of the load, however, modern practice is to treat detachable lifting points as lifting accessories. As such most, countries require that they are periodically inspected or thoroughly examined. Therefore good practice is to remove eyebolts, plug the holes, and put the eyebolts into storage until needed. This often considerably reduces the quantity required and opens up their options.

Lifting safety offers a great variety of styles are offered to try to ensure that we have a fitting to suit our customer's applications. Stainless steel lifting eyebolts are used where there is the potential of corrosion contamination or failure caused by corrosion. We offer different types of stainless steel eyebolts including stainless steel swivel eye bolts with links that will automatically adjust to the direction of the load. Other lifting eye bolts in this category include specially manufactured bolt-on eyebolt plates available for permanent or temporary installation for fitting to an overhead beam to create a lifting point or fall arrest anchorage point. We also offer in this category of the shop ISO container lifting eyes are also referred to as container lifting lugs designed to connect to the top, side, or bottom of ISO shipping Containers (International Organization for Standardization)

Definitions:

Eyebolts used for hoisting shall be fabricated from forged carbon or alloy steel and shall have sufficient ductility to permanently deform before losing the ability to support the load at temperatures at which the manufacturer has specified for use.

Each eyebolt shall be marked to show:

1. Name or trademark of the manufacturer.

2. Size or rated load.

3. Grade for alloy eyebolts.

Types of Eyebolts:

There are four specialized types of eyebolts.

• Forged eyebolts are forged instead of formed. These one-piece fasteners offer higher load ratings.
• Screw eyes are screws with a head shaped into a loop or eye. They are often used in lifting and rigging applications, or to guide wire or cable.
• Shoulder eyebolts have a shoulder under the eye. Typically, the shoulder is installed flush with the mounting surface.
• Thimble eyebolts are designed with an opening that acts as a thimble for wire or rope to minimize wear.
• Pivoting eyebolts are designed to pivot 180°. The base of a swiveling eyebolt is designed to swivel 360°.

Shouldered:

Used for vertical and angular lifts; when used for angular lifts the Safe Working Load (SWL) is to be downrated. Angles less than 45 degrees are prohibited. The shoulder must be flush with the surface and screw.

Unshouldered - for vertical lies only, angular lifts will bend threaded shaft.

Shouldered eyebolts shall be used for all applications, except where it is not possible due to the configuration of the item. When unshouldered eyebolts are used, nuts, washers, and drilled plates shall not be used to make shouldered eyebolts. Swivel eyebolts are also available in the tool crib.

Eyebolts shall have a minimum thread engagement between the eyebolt and its tapped hold of 1-1 /2 times the diameter of thread engagement. Nuts on through-eyebolts shall be self-locking types. The shoulders shall seat uniformly and snugly against the surface on which they bear.

Specifications:

Specifications for eyebolts include:

• Maximum load capacity - The maximum load which an eyebolt can handle.
• Shank length - For fully-threaded eyebolts, shank diameter equals the thread length.
• Threaded length
• Eye inside diameter (ID)
• Eye section diameter of eye thickness
• Total weight

Material and Finish:

Eyebolts differ in terms of material and finish. Plastic eyebolts and rubber eyebolts may be suitable for some applications. Metallic eyebolts can be made of materials including:

• Aluminum
• Brass
• Bronze
• Steel
• Hardened steel
• Stainless steel
• Titanium
• Proprietary alloys

DIN580 Lifting Eye bolt

INSPECTIONS:

a. Initial Inspection:

1. Prior to use, all new, altered, modified, or repaired eyebolts shall be inspected by a designated person to verify compliance with the applicable provisions of this chapter. Written records are not required.

b. Frequent Inspection:

1. A visual inspection shall be performed by the user or other designated person each shift before the eyebolt is used. Semipermanent and inaccessible locations where frequent inspections are not feasible shall have periodic inspections performed.

2. Conditions such as those listed in section removal criteria or any other condition that may result in a hazard shall cause the eyebolt to be removed from service. Eyebolts shall not be returned to service until approved by a qualified person.

3. Written records are not required.

c. Periodic Inspection:

1. A complete inspection of the eyebolt shall be performed by a designated person. The eyebolt shall be examined for conditions such as those listed in section removal criteria and a determination made as to whether they constitute a hazard.

2. Periodic inspection intervals shall not exceed one year. The frequency of periodic inspections should be based on:

• Frequency of use.
• The severity of service conditions.
• Nature of lifts being made.
• Experience gained on the service life of eyebolts used in similar circumstances.

REMOVAL CRITERIA:

Eyebolts shall be removed from service if damage such as the following is visible, and shall only be

returned to service when approved by a qualified person:

a. Missing or illegible manufacturer’s name or trademark and/or rated load identification.

b. Indications of heat damage including welding spatter or arc strikes.

c. Excessive pitting or corrosion.

d. Bent, twisted, distorted, stretched, elongated, cracked, or broken load-bearing components.

e. Excessive nicks or gouges.

f. A 10% reduction of the original or catalog dimension at any point around the body or pin.

g. Excessive thread damage or wear.

h. Evidence of unauthorized welding or modification

i. Other conditions, including visible damage, that cause doubt as to continue use.

Loads must always be applied to eye bolts in the plane of the eye:

• Side pull in the plane of the eye.
• The sling angle must not exceed 45 °.
• Side pull out of the plane of the eye. This configuration must not be used.

Do not reeve slings between attachment points:

• Reeving introduces side pull.
• Although the upper sling angle is 60°, the resultant sling angle is 30°.
• For 1 lb at 60°, there is also a 1 lb lateral load. The resultant load on the eye bolt is 1.73 lbs at 30°.

Machinery eye bolt Do’s:

• Visually inspect eyebolts for any damage or corrosion on threads and body
• Always be sure threads on the shank and receiving holes are clean
• Ensure the eyebolt has proper identification markings
• Always countersink receiving hole or use washers to seat the shoulder properly
• Always screw the eye bolt down completely for proper seating
• Always tighten nuts securely against the load
• When using blind tapped holes, make sure thread engagement is more than 1.5 times the diameter of the thread in steel and 2.5 times in aluminum

Machinery eye bolt Don’ts:

• Do not use the eyebolt if it is bent, damaged, or has been modified.
• Do not use if the eyebolt if it does not have proper identification markings.
• Do not use shouldered eyebolts at angles between 45 and 90 degrees to bolt the axis.
• Do not repair, replace, or modify an eyebolt.
• Do not use if a gap exists between the part and eyebolt.
• Do not use a hook larger than the diameter of the eyebolt opening.
• Do not use a plain pattern eye bolt for angular pulls
• Shock loading must be avoided.
• Never machine, grind, or cut an eye bolt.
• Never use an eye bolt that shows signs of wear or damage.
• Never use an eye bolt if the eye or shank is bent or elongated.
• Never exceed the load rating.