Thiele Grade 100 User manual

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
RAPID SHORTENING CLAWS
GRADE 100
THIELE GmbH & Co. KG # change indicator
www.thiele.de | [e-mail] 11086- replaces 11086-A
© All rights reserved US 03.2022 1 | 5
Shortening claws
TWN 1852
The following operating instructions must always be
followed to avoid the risk of personal in ury or property
damage.
Do not use a shortening claw before reading these
operating instructions.
1. A OUT THIS INSTRUCTION
These operating instructions describe in particular how RAPID
shortening claws according to TWN 1852 grade 100, (TWN =
THIELE works standard) are to be safely used for lifting
purposes.
The instructions apply analogously to components of identical
design.
To comply with these instructions is essential to help avoid
hazards and increases the reliability and service life of the
shortening claws.
DANGER! Indicates a hazardous
situation, which, if not avoided, will
result in death or serious injury.
WARNING! Indicates a hazardous
situation, which, if not avoided, could
result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION! Indicates a hazardous
situation, which, if not avoided, could
result in minor or moderate injury.
NOTICE! Is used to address practices
not related to physical injury.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS signs indicate
specific safety-related instructions or
procedures.
DEFINITIONS
Working Load Limit (WLL)
The maximum load, which a RAPID shortening claw is designed
to support.
Read ASME B30.9 „Slings“, Chapters 9-0 and 9-1.
2. ASIC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
To prevent the risk of in ury never walk or stay under lifted
loads!
The working load limit must not be exceeded!
RAPID shortening claws as well as lifting and attachment
means to be used must be free from defects!
Working under the influence of drugs, medications
impairing the sense and/or alcohol is strictly forbidden!
•Operators, fitters and maintenance personnel must in
particular observe the operating instructions as well as
standards ASTM A 906/A 906 M (Standard Specification for
Grade 80 and Grade 100 Alloy Steel Chain Slings for
Overhead Lifting), ASTM A 952/A 952 M (Standard
Specification for Forged Grade 80 and Grade 100 Steel
Lifting Components and Welded Attachment Links),
ISO 3056 (Non-calibrated round steel link lifting chain and
chain slings; Use and maintenance), ISO 7593 (Chain slings
assembled by methods other than welding; Grade T(8)) and
ISO 4778 (Round steel short link chains for lifting purposes –
Chains slings of welded construction – Grade 8).
•The specific safety and operating regulations and standards
issued locally in the country where the items are used must
be observed.
•The directions given in these operating instructions and
specified documentations relating to safety, assembly,
operation, inspection, and maintenance must be made
available to persons operating and using the RAPID
shortening claw.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
RAPID SHORTENING CLAWS
GRADE 100
THIELE GmbH & Co. KG # change indicator
www.thiele.de | [e-mail] 11086- replaces 11086-A
© All rights reserved US 03.2022 2 | 5
•These operating instructions must be available in a place
near the product during the time the equipment is used.
Please contact the manufacturer if replacements are
needed. Also see chapter 11.
•During operation work, wear your personal protective
equipment!
•Improper assembly and use may cause personal in ury
and/or damage to property.
•Assembly and removal as well as inspections and
maintenance must exclusively be carried out by skilled,
qualified, trained and authorized persons only.
•Structural changes are impermissible (e.g. welding,
bending).
•Operators must carry out a visual inspection and, if
necessary, a functional test of the safety equipment
before each use.
•Never use worn-out, bent or damaged shortening claws.
•Only lift loads that do not exceed the working load limit of
the sling chain assembly.
•Never expose chains and claws to loads exceeding the
specified working load limits.
•Do not use force when mounting/positioning the
attachment components.
•Do not twist or knot the chains together.
•Never guide shortening claws over edges or load them
sideways.
•Avoid sharp edges. Use edge protectors or reduce the
working load limit by 20 %.
•In case of multi-leg sling chain assemblies never allow for
sling angles of less than 30 ° and in excess of 75 °.
•Avoid bending loads to act on shortening claws.
•Do not start lifting before you have made sure the load has
been correctly attached.
•Make sure no one including you (operator) is in the way of
the moving load (hazard area).
•During lifting make sure your hands or other body parts do
not come into contact with lifting means. Only remove
lifting means manually (use your hands).
•Avoid impacts, e.g. due to abruptly lifting loads with chain
in slack condition.
•Never move a suspended load over persons.
•Never cause suspended loads to swing.
•Always monitor a suspended load.
•Put the load only down in flat places/sites where it can be
safely deposited.
•Avoid parts of the sling chain assembly to get caught under
the load.
•Operation without functioning safety devices (dowel pins,
springs, safety latches) is not permitted.
•The shortened part of the chain legs must not be loaded
and not used as an endless chain.
•Shortening claws must be able to align themselves freely in
the loading direction.
•Take care for sufficient place for the personnel to move
when choosing the route of transportation and storage
location. Danger to life and risk of injury by crushing
hazards!
•In the event of doubts or concerns about the proper and
safe use, inspection, maintenance or similar things contact
your safety officer or the manufacturer.
THIELE is not responsible for damage caused by non-
observance of the instructions, rules, standards and notes
indicated!
As regard grade 100, THIELE does not give its approval to the
assembly of components sourced from different
manufacturers!
As a rule, RAPID shortening claws are not permitted for the
transportation of persons.
3. DESCRIPTION AND INTENDED USE
RAPID shortening claws according to TWN 1852 are exclusively
intended for shortening individual chain legs of sling chain
assemblies of grade 100 according to ASTM A 906/A 906M.
They can be used anywhere in the chain leg as a permanent or
non-permanent connection.
They are constructed symmetrically in terms of safe handling
and have safety latches against unintentional release of the
chain.
RAPID shortening claws should only be used within one loaded
chain leg and only together with chains according to the
marked nominal size and grade 100.
They are not intended for connecting different chain legs.
RAPID shortening claws must exclusively be used:
• within the limits of their permissible working load limit,
• for permissible attachment methods and sling angles,
• within the temperature limits prescribed,
• by trained and authorized persons.
Failure to do so may cause serious injury or property damage.
When using RAPID shortening claws within sling chain
assemblies observe their operating instructions. In particular,
the working load limits as a function of the number of chain
legs and angle of inclination are documented here.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
RAPID SHORTENING CLAWS
GRADE 100
THIELE GmbH & Co. KG # change indicator
www.thiele.de | [e-mail] 11086- replaces 11086-A
© All rights reserved US 03.2022 3 | 5
RAPID shortening claws meet EG Machinery Directive
2006/42/EC requirements and feature a safety factor of at
least 4 based on the working load limit.
They are signed with the corresponding chain size, grade,
manufacturer’s symbol and traceability code.
RAPID shortening claws are designed to withstand 20 000
dynamic load changes under maximum load conditions. In the
event of higher loads (e.g. multi-shift operation), the working
load limit must be reduced.
RAPID shortening claws can also be used within lashing chain
assemblies. When used within a lashing system the maximum
lashing capacity (LC) is obtained by doubling the working load
limit.
Any alternating use for lifting and lashing purposes is
impermissible!
4. COMMISSIONING
Prior to using the RAPID shortening claws for the first time
assure that
•the components comply with the order and have not been
damaged,
•test certificates and operating instructions are at hand,
•markings correspond with what is specified in the
documentation,
•inspection deadlines and the qualified persons for
examinations are determined,
•visibility and functional testings are carried out and
documented,
•documentation is safely kept in an orderly manner.
Dispose of the packing in an environmentally compatible way
according to local rule.
5. TECHNICAL DATA
Table includes only article numbers of standard and not
customized parts.
Nominal
size Article no. WLL [lbs]
Dimensions [mm] Mass
[lbs]
E L M
5/16 F34775 5 700 111 148 48 1.74
3/8 F34780 8 800 134 180 60 3.31
1/2 F34785 15 000 179 240 78 5.95
5/8 F34790 22 600 222 296 96 10.58
6. ASSEM LY AND REMOVAL
6.1 General
All components to be installed or used must be in perfect
condition and the relevant working load limits of all parts must
accommodate the respective load to be handled.
Allways assemble/remove components in load-free condition.
6.2 A embly
The assembly is carried out on the chain leg to be
shortened first with the upper side of the shortening claw.
A) Unload the sling chain assembly
totally!
) Take the shortening claw in one
hand and open the upper safety latch
with your forefinger (1).
Take the chain slightly below the
desired position in the other hand and
insert a chain link (2) from below into
the upper pocket. Slightly tilt the RAPID
shortening claw (3) so that the
shortening claw easily fits into the
chain leg.
C) Push the chain link (2) into the
pocket until it stops. Release the safety
latch (4) so that it returns to its basic
position (securing position).
D) Check the correct fit of the chain.
E) Take the shortening claw in one
hand and grab the chain leg to be
shortened with the other.
Fix the chain link (6) to be positioned in
the lower pocket between thumb and
forefinger.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
RAPID SHORTENING CLAWS
GRADE 100
THIELE GmbH & Co. KG # change indicator
www.thiele.de | [e-mail] 11086- replaces 11086-A
© All rights reserved US 03.2022 4 | 5
F) Slide this chain link (6) into the
pocket. Press the lower next chain link
against the safety latch (5). Tilt the
shortening claw a bit (7) so that it easily
fits into the chain leg. Push the chain
link (6) into the pocket until it stops.
G) Make sure that the safety latch (8)
returns to its basic position (securing
position). Check that the chain links are
in the correct position within the
pockets.
6.3 Di a embly
The disassembly is carried out first with the lower side of the
shortening claw.
A) Unload the sling chain assembly totally!
B) Unlock the lower safety latch
with one hand. With the other
hand grab the chain leg below the
shortening claw and lift it up so
that the chain moves out of the
pocket. e quite energetic. As a
result, the chain dissolves better
out of the pocket. ut do not tear
so hard that the flinging chain will
hurt you or others!
C) Take the shortening claw in
one hand and open the upper
safety latch with your forefinger
(1). Tilt the shortening claw slightly
(2). Lift the shortening claw and
thread the chain from the top of
the shortening claw.
7. CONDITIONS OF USE
7.1 Normal u e
The shortening of individual chain legs in a multi-leg sling chain
assembly indicates a non-symmetrical load distribution. In this
case, pay attention to the necessary reduction of the working
load limit.
Note that safety elements must not be loaded during
operation.
7.2 Influence of temperature
The respective temperature range limits must be considered
for all components used.
Temperature Range
-30 °C ≤ t ≤ 205 °C
-22 °F ≤ t ≤ 400 °F
If a shortening claw has been exposed to temperatures
exceeding the maximum values specified, it must not be
used furthermore.
7.3 Environmental influence
RAPID shortening claws must not be used in environments
where acids, aggressive or corrosive chemicals or their fumes
are present.
Hot-dip galvanizing or a galvanic treatment is prohibited as
well.
RAPID shortening claws should not be used in blasting plants.
RAPID shortening claws should not be used on construction
sites because pockets and safety systems may be contaminated
by beton.
7.4 E pecially hazardou condition
The degree of danger when used for the lifting of hazardous
loads, risk potentials must be assessed by a competent person
in the form of a risk analysis. Any additional rules and directives
must be followed in this case.
8. INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE, DISPOSAL
Inspections and maintenance must be arranged by the owner!
Inspection intervals shall be determined by the owner!
Inspections must be regularly carried out and documented by
competent persons, at least once a year or more frequently if
the shortening claws are in heavy-duty service. After three
years at the latest shortening claws must additionally be
examined for cracks. A load test shall never be considered a
substitute for this examination.
The results of the inspection shall be kept in a file that has to
be set up for each shortening claw before first use. The register
will show characteristic data as well as identity details.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
RAPID SHORTENING CLAWS
GRADE 100
THIELE GmbH & Co. KG # change indicator
www.thiele.de | [e-mail] 11086- replaces 11086-A
© All rights reserved US 03.2022 5 | 5
Immediately stop using shortening claws that show the
following defects:
•missing or illegible identification/marking,
•deformation, cuts, notches, cracks, incipient cracks,
•pocket wear by more than 10 % of the associated chain
diameter,
•missing or damaged dowel pins, springs or safety latches,
•heating beyond permissible limits,
•severe corrosion.
Cleaning (e.g. prior to inspections) must not take place by using
flames or methods that might cause hydrogen embrittlement
(e.g. pickling or immersion in acidic solutions).
8.1 In pection ervice
THIELE offers inspection, maintenance and repair services
performed by trained and competent personnel.
8.2 Maintenance
Maintenance and repair work must only be performed by
competent and trained persons.
All maintenance and repair activities must be documented
properly.
8.3 Di po al
All steel components and accessories taken out of service must
be scrapped in accordance with local regulations and
provisions.
9. SPARE PARTS
Use only original spare parts.
Sets consist of 2 retainers, 2 springs and 2 spiral pins.
Nominal size Article no.
5/16 F347750
3/8 F347800
1/2 F347850
5/8 F347900
10. STORAGE
Special sling components must be stored properly sorted and in
dry conditions at temperatures between 32 °F and 104 °F.
Do not store in a manner that cause mechanical damage.
11. THIELE OPERATING AND MOUNTING
INSTRUCTIONS
Current mounting and operating instructions are available as a
PDF download on the THIELE-website www.thiele.de.
12. PU LISHING INFORMATION
#
Company KWS Inc. THIELE GmbH & Co. KG
(Distributor) (Manufacturer)
Postal
address
P.O. ox 470487
Tulsa, OK 74147
USA
Werkstrasse 3
58640 Iserlohn
Germany
Phone
number [phone] +49 2371/947-0
Fax number [phone] +49 2371/947-241
Email [email protected] [email protected]