What is the difference between a shackle and a clevis, and when is each used?

• A. Shackle uses a removable pin and is versatile for rigging with straps or chains; a clevis is a U-shaped body with a removable pin for fixed connections.
• B. Shackle is fixed with no pin; clevis uses a removable pin.
• C. Shackle and clevis are identical in function.
• D. Clevis is used for straps only; shackle for chains only.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is how each piece connects and where it’s best used. A shackle is a U- or bow-shaped link with a removable pin. This makes it a versatile connector for attaching straps, chains, or slings to a load or to another rigging component, and it’s easy to open, reconfigure, or remove when you need to swap parts.

A clevis, on the other hand, is a U-shaped fork with holes at the ends for a pin, designed to mate with a clevis lug or eye on the load. Once the pin is in, the connection is more rigid and aligned, which is ideal for fixed attachments on equipment or loads that already have a clevis-style point.

So use a shackle when you need quick, flexible connections that can adapt to different rigging components. Use a clevis when you’re connecting to a load or bracket that provides a clevis receiving point and you want a stable, aligned, and more permanent connection.