Our Brands
RCL.
A British lifting and rigging equipment manufacturer producing shackles, swivels, hooks, wire rope clips, eye bolts, turnbuckles, chain blocks and rigging hardware to British and European standards for lifting, lashing, rigging and load securing applications in construction, marine, offshore and general industry.
About RCL
RCL (Rigging, Crane and Lifting) is a UK manufacturer and supplier of rigging hardware, lifting equipment and load securing components. The range covers the standard items of rigging hardware, including shackles, swivels, hooks, eye bolts, turnbuckles, wire rope clips, chain links and associated fittings. All are produced to the dimensional and strength standards required for lifting and rigging under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER).
Shackles are the most fundamental item in rigging hardware, the Dee or bow (anchor) shackle that connects slings, chains, wire ropes and hooks together at a point load. RCL shackles are manufactured from alloy steel and proof tested to a minimum of twice the Working Load Limit (WLL) before marking and despatch. The WLL marking, batch number and proof test certification are the mandatory documentation that LOLER requires for lifting equipment placed into service.
The RCL range covers the full spectrum of rigging requirements, from light construction lifting (smaller shackles for beam clamps and sling connections) through to offshore and heavy lift applications (large-bore alloy shackles in WLLs from 10 to 150 tonnes) where the shackle is a critical load path component in a certified lift plan. Both ends of the range are manufactured and tested to the same proof testing requirements; the difference lies in the material grade and forging specification that delivers the required WLL at the specified safety factor.
Products We Can Supply from RCL
Shackles — Dee and bow (anchor) — RCL Grade S (alloy steel) Dee shackles and bow shackles in WLLs from 0.33 tonne to 150 tonnes; screw-pin and bolt/nut/cotter configurations; galvanised and self-colour finishes. Dee shackles suit in-line loading, while bow shackles handle multi-leg sling connections. All are individually proof tested to 2×WLL and supplied with test certification and WLL/batch marking on the body.
Eye bolts, swivels and hooks — RCL dynamo and collar eye bolts to BS 4278 and DIN 580 for lifting points on machinery, equipment and structural members; swivel hooks and swivel eye hooks for flexible rigging connections that allow rotation under load; and safety hooks with positive-locking latches for crane and hoist load line connections. All carry WLL markings and proof test documentation.
Wire rope clips and turnbuckles — RCL wire rope clips (bulldog grips) in DIN 741 specification for forming loops and terminations in wire rope; and turnbuckles (rigging screws) in jaw-jaw, jaw-eye and eye-eye configurations for tensioning wire rope and rod rigging in structural, marine and stage rigging applications. Galvanised and stainless steel options are available for corrosive environments.
Chain blocks and lever hoists — RCL manual chain blocks in 0.5 tonne to 20 tonne capacities for vertical lifting in maintenance and construction; and RCL lever hoists (Tirfor-type) in 0.75 tonne to 9 tonne capacities for horizontal pulling, tensioning and positioning as well as vertical lifting. Both are supplied with test certificates and user instructions as required under LOLER.
Industries
RCL lifting and rigging equipment is used in construction and civil engineering, marine and offshore, manufacturing and plant maintenance, transport and logistics, event rigging and staging, wind energy, rail, utilities, and any application requiring the certified lifting, pulling, tensioning or securing of loads under the requirements of LOLER and PUWER.
Product Categories
- Shackles (Dee & bow, all WLLs)
- Eye bolts, swivels & hooks
- Wire rope clips & turnbuckles
- Chain blocks & lever hoists
Good to Know
LOLER requires all lifting equipment and accessories, shackles included, to be thoroughly examined at least every 6 months by a competent person, with records kept. Any shackle showing deformation, cracks, corrosion pitting or wear in the pin seat should be taken out of service, as there is no safe repair for a damaged lifting shackle. Get in touch if you need replacement RCL shackles with current test certification to keep your lifting equipment register up to date.
Buy RCL from The Tool & Gauge Company (UK) Limited
The Tool & Gauge Company (UK) Limited supplies RCL shackles, eye bolts, turnbuckles, chain blocks and rigging hardware to trade customers, contractors and businesses across the UK and internationally. We order directly from RCL and their authorised distributors, and can source products from across the full range to order. We deliver to any UK mainland address and export to the Middle East, Africa, Asia and beyond.
To enquire, send us a part number, product name or description and we’ll come back with availability and a price, usually the same working day. Whether you need Dee shackles, bow shackles, eye bolts or other lifting accessories to BS and EN standards, we supply the RCL range to lifting and rigging contractors across the UK. Trade accounts with 30-day credit terms are available for qualifying businesses. Get in touch and we’ll take it from there.
Get in Touch
Send us your requirement and we’ll come back with a price. We aim to respond the same working day.