Quick Release Shackles

Quick Release Shackles – also known as ground release shackles – are purpose-built for the safe pitching and extraction of trench sheets and sheet piles. By employing a remote, ground-level release mechanism, these shackles fully support the industry-standard 'feet on the ground' approach, completely eliminating the need for operatives to climb ladders or work at height to disengage a load.

These high-capacity lifting shackles are an essential piece of safety equipment for any temporary groundworks site. By allowing you to unhook pitched sheets remotely, they significantly reduce the risk of falls and exposure to hazards at the top of an excavation.

The feet-on-the-ground approach to temporary works

When using standard D or Bow shackles, operatives are forced to climb ladders or access platforms to manually unscrew the pin once a trench sheet has been pitched. Quick release shackles remove this risk entirely.

The shackle is attached directly to the lifting hole of a trench sheet or sheet pile while it lies horizontally on the ground. Once the sheet is lifted, pitched, and driven into the ground by the excavator, the operator simply pulls a lanyard or wire rope attached to the shackle's release mechanism. This cleanly extracts the high-tensile locking pin, dropping the shackle free from the sheet so it can be returned to ground level for the next lift.

Capacities, LOLER certification, and de-rating

Built for heavy civil engineering, our quick release shackles are manufactured from high-grade steel and independently proof-tested to twice their Safe Working Load (SWL) to ensure full LOLER compliance. Daily pre-use inspections by a competent person are mandatory to ensure the pin, threads, and U-shaped body remain free from deformation or damage.

Our shackles are available in a range of SWL capacities, typically from 3.5 tonnes upwards. It is critical to note that the rated SWL is based on a purely axial (vertical) load. When lifting a sheet from a horizontal position into a vertical pitch, the shackle must be de-rated by 50%. For example, a 10-tonne SWL shackle should only carry a 5-tonne load during a horizontal-to-vertical lift.

Quick Release Shackles: Common Questions

Hire or Buy Quick Release Shackles

Site Equipment Limited provides fully certified quick release shackles for sale or hire across the UK. For expert advice on selecting the right capacity for your sheet piles or to discuss your LOLER certification requirements, contact our temporary works team today.