Our crew switched from standard steel shackles to aluminum ones for a big bridge job in Tampa last month. The difference in handling topside was huge.

3 comments

3 Comments

Oh man, I bet that was a game changer. I remember the first time I picked up an aluminum shackle after using steel ones for years, I nearly threw it over my shoulder like a baseball. My brain was just so ready for that heavy weight. The difference in arm fatigue at the end of the day is no joke. You don't realize how much those little lifts add up until you switch to something lighter. Makes total sense for a big job like that.

xena_lopez23d ago

Isn't it funny how your body gets used to a certain weight? Jennifer, you're spot on about the arm fatigue adding up. I'd just add that while aluminum is great for weight, you do have to be a bit more careful about wear and tear over time compared to steel. It's a trade-off, but for a lot of jobs, that lighter feel is absolutely worth it.

josephl6717d ago

Wait, you guys are throwing shackles around? I pictured them being placed carefully, not tossed like a baseball. That mental image is wild. Xena Lopez makes a good point about watching the wear on aluminum, but man, the weight difference must feel like going from a brick to a feather after a full day.