Shoulder Pattern Eye Bolts

Shoulder pattern eye bolts - also known as machinery eye bolts or lifting eyes - are lifting hardware components designed with a shoulder under the eye to provide greater stability for angular lifts and reduce stress on the shank. These fasteners are primarily used for permanent mounting on industrial machinery or equipment for lifting purposes. However, they are also found in various rigging and suspension tasks and can serve as anchor points for other rigging hardware.

Huyett offers shoulder pattern machinery eye bolts in a variety of sizes. Available materials include 300 series stainless steel and low or medium carbon steel with black oxide, hot-dipped galvanized, polished, self-colored, and zinc clear or yellow finishes.

Application Considerations

When using shoulder pattern eye bolts, it's essential to consider the following factors to ensure safety and optimal performance:

Load Capacity: Determine the weight of the load that the eye bolt will need to support. Each bolt has a load limit that is communicated through its Working Load Limit (WLL), which is also called a Rated Capacity (RC). Consider choosing a bolt that exceeds the WLL necessary for the application to ensure safety.
Application Environment: Evaluate the bolt's working environment. If it will be exposed to extreme weather conditions, lubrication, chemicals, or any type of corrosive element, consider how the bolt's material and finish could help protect it from corrosion. To learn more about how different materials and finishes provide protection, check out our Engineering Handbook and our introductory guide to metal finishes.
Thread and Diameter Alignment: If the bolt does not properly attach to its tapped hole, the safety of the application is at risk. Check to see if the bolt threads and the diameter align with the threads and hole diameter of the mating component.
Load Angle: While the shoulder provides better support to angled loads than bolts without a shoulder, the angle will still reduce the bolt's WLL. Factor in the angle of the load to ensure you are not overtaxing the bolt. If the load requires significant angular lifts, you may want to consider a swivel hoist ring.
Regular Inspection: Establish a regular inspection schedule to check for wear, deformation, or damage to the bolt. Any damaged hardware should be repaired or replaced according to any relevant application regulations or standards.

Benefits

There are several key benefits of using these lifting hardware components into your lifting and rigging operations:

Strength: The shoulder design increases load-carrying capacity, helps to distribute the load evenly, and provides better resistance to bending and shear forces.
Versatility: The bolt is suitable for various lifting angles (although vertical lifts are ideal), ensuring flexibility in rigging configurations.
Easy Installation: These bolts are easy to install, saving time and effort during setup.
Safety Compliance: Many shoulder pattern eye bolts meet or exceed industry safety standards, ensuring compliance with lifting regulations.
Cost Efficiency: Lifting machinery eye bolts are an upfront investment in reliable lifting components. As long as the bolts do not suffer significant damage, they are reusable for as long as they resist wear and tear.

Product Line

Huyett offers shoulder pattern lifting eye bolts through our Aztec Premium Lifting Hardware line. Choose from a variety of lifting and rigging components to support your applications, including lifting eye nuts, wire rope hardware, hooks, and more.

Are Shoulder Pattern Eye Bolts Suitable for Overhead and Angular Lifting?

Yes, they are designed to handle various lifting angles, making them suitable for both overhead and angular lifting applications. However, as noted before, you should always factor in any angled lifts to the bolt's WLL to ensure it will still support the load.

It is also important to note that not all eye bolts are suitable for overhead lifting or angled loads. For example, bent and plain pattern eye bolts are ideal for rigging, but they are not rated for lifting.

How Often Should I Inspect my Bolts for Safety?

It is recommended to inspect your bolts regularly - ideally before each use - and replace them if you notice any signs of wear, damage, or deformation to ensure safe lifting operations.

What is an Alternative to a Lifting Eye Bolt?

If you need your hardware to support a lifted load, a great alternative to a shoulder pattern eye bolt is a swivel hoist ring.

Swivel hoist rings feature a handle that pivots and swivels to accommodate angles and absorb pitch, roll, and swaying of unbalanced loads. The ring's ability to move allows the load to remain more stable as it lifts.