Soft shackles are strong, lightweight recovery connections, but like any recovery equipment, they must be used correctly.
Before putting a soft shackle under load, make sure you understand its rating, connection, condition and limitations.
This guide covers the key safety points for using soft shackles in vehicle, agricultural, commercial and equipment recovery.
Understand MBS and WLL
Soft shackles may be identified by Minimum Breaking Strength (MBS) and Working Load Limit (WLL).
MBS | Minimum Breaking Strength
MBS is the minimum force at which the product is specified to break under the applicable test conditions.
It is not a recommended working load.
WLL | Working Load Limit
WLL is the manufacturer's stated maximum working load for the product under the conditions for which that rating applies.
Never treat MBS as the load you should routinely apply to a soft shackle.
Always use the manufacturer's published MBS and WLL for the specific product.
Your Recovery System Is Only as Strong as Its Components
A soft shackle is one part of a recovery system.
The system may include:
Recovery point → soft shackle → recovery strap or rope → soft shackle → recovery point
Each component needs to be suitable for the application.
The soft shackle should be appropriately rated for the recovery strap or rope it is being used with.
A high-rated soft shackle cannot make an unsuitable recovery point safe, and it cannot increase the rating of a weaker component.
Inspect Your Soft Shackle Before Every Use
Always inspect the soft shackle before putting it under load.
Look closely at the entire length of the rope and pay particular attention to the knot, noose, neck and body.
Do not use the shackle if you find:
- Cuts or visible damage
- Severe abrasion
- Broken or damaged fibers
- Flattened, crushed or badly distorted sections
- Heat damage or melting
- Chemical damage
- Significant contamination
- Damage around the knot or noose
- Any other condition that makes you question its integrity
If you're unsure whether damage is acceptable, do not use the soft shackle.
Check the Recovery Point
Only attach a soft shackle to a suitable recovery attachment point designed for recovery.
The point must allow the soft shackle to sit correctly without exposing the rope to conditions that could damage it.
Check for:
- Sharp edges
- Burrs
- Cutting surfaces
- Pinch points
- Excessive abrasion
- Anything that could trap or damage the rope under load
A recovery point can be strong enough for the recovery but still be unsuitable for a soft shackle if its shape or surface can damage the synthetic rope.
How to USe a Soft Shackle
Pass the soft shackle through the recovery point and close it using the knot and noose as designed.
The noose should be positioned correctly around the base of the knot.
Make sure the shackle is not twisted, trapped or positioned against an edge that could damage the rope when loaded.
Never improvise a different connection method.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the specific soft shackle you are using.
Keep the Rope Away From Sharp Edges
Synthetic rope is extremely strong, but it can be damaged by cutting and abrasion.
Never load a soft shackle directly against a sharp corner, burr, cutting edge or other surface that could damage the rope.
If the connection point can cut, pinch or severely abrade the rope, do not use it.
Keep the Recovery Area Clear
Recovery equipment can store enormous amounts of energy when under load.
Before beginning a recovery:
- Keep people away from the recovery line.
- Never stand in the line of a loaded strap or rope.
- Keep hands and feet away from loaded connections.
- Keep unnecessary people away from the recovery area.
- Make sure everyone involved understands when the recovery is about to begin.
Do not assume that because a soft shackle is synthetic it is harmless if something fails.
A failed recovery component can move violently and cause serious injury.
Avoid Shock Loading
Recovery loads can increase rapidly when equipment is suddenly jerked, snatched or otherwise subjected to dynamic loading.
Use recovery equipment as intended and avoid unnecessary shock loading.
Do not deliberately exceed the manufacturer's published ratings.
A recovery system should be operated in a controlled manner appropriate to the equipment and recovery situation.
Heat Can Damage Synthetic Rope
Keep soft shackles away from excessive heat.
High temperatures can damage synthetic fibers and may not always be obvious from a quick visual inspection.
Do not use a soft shackle that has been exposed to significant heat or shows signs of melting, glazing, discoloration or thermal damage.
Chemicals Can Damage Synthetic Fibers
Fuel, oils, solvents, acids, alkalis and other chemicals can affect synthetic rope.
If a soft shackle has been exposed to chemicals, clean it according to the manufacturer's instructions and inspect it carefully.
If there is any doubt about chemical damage, remove it from service.
Clean and Dry Your Soft Shackles
Dirt, mud and other contaminants can work into the rope and contribute to abrasion.
After use:
- Remove loose dirt and contamination.
- Rinse the soft shackle with clean water where appropriate.
- Allow it to dry completely.
- Inspect it again before storing.
Do not store a wet or heavily contaminated soft shackle for extended periods.
Store Soft Shackles Properly
Store soft shackles somewhere:
-
Clean, Dry, Cool
- Away from direct sunlight
- Away from chemicals
- Away from sharp objects
- Away from sources of excessive heat
Avoid storing recovery equipment where it can be crushed, cut or contaminated by other equipment.
When Should a Soft Shackle Be Replaced?
There is no benefit in taking chances with damaged recovery equipment.
Remove a soft shackle from service if it has:
- Significant cuts
- Severe abrasion
- Melted or heat-damaged fibers
- Chemical damage
- Broken or heavily damaged fibers
- Permanent deformation or serious distortion
- Damage to the knot or noose
- Any other damage that compromises the rope
When in doubt, replace it.
A soft shackle is a relatively small part of the overall cost of a recovery system. It is not worth risking a failure because you are unsure whether a damaged shackle is still usable.
Soft Shackle Safety Checklist
Before using a soft shackle, check:
✓ Correct rating for the recovery equipment
✓ Suitable recovery point
✓ Knot and noose correctly connected
✓ No sharp edges or pinch points
✓ No cuts, severe abrasion or damaged fibers
✓ No heat or chemical damage
Soft Shackles Can Reduce Risks - But Not Eliminate Them
Soft shackles make recovery connections lighter and easier to handle, but they don't remove the risks associated with recovery operations.
The safest recovery is one that uses properly rated equipment, suitable recovery points, correct connections and controlled procedures.
Take the time to inspect your equipment before you need it. When a recovery goes wrong, it is too late to discover that a strap, rope, shackle or connection point wasn't suitable for the job.
