• Weld-on hooks are commonly seen on excavation equipment like earth-moving buckets. They’ re ideal for quickly attaching rigging in trenching or underground utility operations for lowering or lifting loads both above and below ground.
Smart Rigging Technology also plays a growing role in utility and construction jobsite efficiency and safety. A technologycentric focus, Baranowski noted can be realized with mechanical and electronic innovations that are continuing to advance the industry.
Take the Crosby | SP COLT tension meter, for instance. This clamp-on device provides real-time tension readings in wire rope, which are critical for verifying proper tension during overhead line installations.
For pulling, tensioning or lifting heavy loads, there is the Kito LB-SL lever hoist. Rated to over 19,800 pounds, it features fine-tooth gears for minimal
Left: Crosby SHUR-LOC locking hooks mechanically lock in place for the duration of the lift and prevent opening until the load is relaxed and the safety trigger is engaged. The bearing swivel version allows this hook to swivel under load as well.
effort, a load pressure brake, and a backup safety lock that engages automatically in the event of failure.“ The LB-SL is built for safe overhead use and gives operators fine control without compromising on muscle,” Baranowski said.
Other products available from Kito Crosby include the manufacturer’ s GrabiQ chain sling system, developed by Gunnebo Industries. It allows operators to lift asymmetrical loads using a single adjustable sling, rather than juggling long and short ones. It also supports low headroom lifts and adapts easily to loads like bars, tubes and pipes.
The Midgrab Chain Shortener( MIG) is also available for adding flexibility. By letting operators shorten chain legs at the hook, closer to the load, it
WHY SELF-LOCKING HOOKS MATTER
Left: The Crosby SP COLT ensures that the appropriate tension is applied in wire rope used on power line construction projects by clamping on to the line and providing a quick readout of the applied tension.
keeps adjustments simple and prevents disengagement during use.
Training Is Key
While the right equipment is crucial, Felix Nyberg is quick to point out that knowledge matters just as much. Essential to the job at-hand is the training behind the equipment.
“ Online selection tools can also help guide customers toward the right rigging solutions, but training ensures they’ re used correctly,” Nyberg said.“ That’ s where jobsite safety and efficiency really begin.
“ Proper rigging not only minimizes risk,” Nyberg added.“ It enhances crew productivity and can lead to significant cost savings. In the end, it’ s often the smallest decisions that have the biggest safety impact.”
First introduced by Gunnebo Industries in the 1960s, self-locking hooks were developed in response to a common and dangerous problem: crews relying on open hooks or spring-latch hooks that would wear out or fail on the job. A failed latch doesn’ t just violate OSHA and ASME B30.9 standards— it puts workers at serious risk.
Self-locking hooks eliminate manual connections and reduce pinch-point exposure. Once loaded, they automatically close and stay locked until the load is fully released. This simple innovation adds a crucial layer of safety, making every lift more secure.
www. contractorshotline. com June 6, 2025 13