A shackle for a choker hitch includes a shackle body having a first end portion and a second end portion, a stabilizer portion positioned therebetween, a first leg and a second leg fixedly spaced apart by, and connected to, the stabilizer. The body includes a load-facing surface with a gripping surface extending from the first to the second end portion. A rod is removably positioned across the first end portion, and rigidly and removably connects the first leg to the second leg at the first end portion. A remotely releasable pin device includes a pin removably positioned across the second end portion and releasably connecting the first leg to the second leg at the second end portion. The load-facing surface may be curved or flat. The pin may be at 90 degrees for horizontal lifts, or less, e.g., 80 degrees, to the shackle body for vertical lifts.

A shackle for a choker hitch includes a shackle body having a first end portion and a second end portion, a stabilizer portion positioned therebetween, a first leg and a second leg fixedly spaced apart by, and connected to, the stabilizer. The body includes a load-facing surface with a gripping surface extending from the first to the second end portion. A rod is removably positioned across the first end portion, and rigidly and removably connects the first leg to the second leg at the first end portion. A remotely releasable pin device includes a pin removably positioned across the second end portion and releasably connecting the first leg to the second leg at the second end portion. The load-facing surface may be curved or flat. The pin may be at 90 degrees for horizontal lifts, or less, e.g., 80 degrees, to the shackle body for vertical lifts.

A safety harness for use with a container such as a 5-gallon pail is described. The harness includes vertical and horizontal straps that create a space into which a container can be placed. The straps may be adjusted to fit snugly against outer surface of the container. The harness also includes a connector that can be attached to a separate line to be manipulated by a worker, or attached to a safety belt worn by a worker. The harness provides a simple and safe apparatus that provides easy access to tools and materials, especially for workers operating in above-ground locations.

A safety harness for use with a container such as a 5-gallon pail is described. The harness includes vertical and horizontal straps that create a space into which a container can be placed. The straps may be adjusted to fit snugly against outer surface of the container. The harness also includes a connector that can be attached to a separate line to be manipulated by a worker, or attached to a safety belt worn by a worker. The harness provides a simple and safe apparatus that provides easy access to tools and materials, especially for workers operating in above-ground locations.

The disclosure provides a sling including a sleeve, a first eye formed by a first splice, and a second eye formed by a second splice. The sleeve includes braided strands and has a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion between. The sleeve also defines a hollow inner volume. The first splice is made by the first end portion extending into and along part of the hollow inner volume proximate the first eye. The second splice is made by the second end portion extending into and along part of the hollow inner volume proximate the second eye. A hollow load bearing portion is defined in the intermediate portion between the first splice and the second splice.

The disclosure provides a sling including a sleeve, a first eye formed by a first splice, and a second eye formed by a second splice. The sleeve includes braided strands and has a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion between. The sleeve also defines a hollow inner volume. The first splice is made by the first end portion extending into and along part of the hollow inner volume proximate the first eye. The second splice is made by the second end portion extending into and along part of the hollow inner volume proximate the second eye. A hollow load bearing portion is defined in the intermediate portion between the first splice and the second splice.

A method for mounting a rotor to a drive shaft of a wind turbine, the method comprising placing a hub on a surface, attaching a first, a second, and a third rotor blade to the hub to thereby make a rotor in situ. To protect the blades and to avoid fixed lifting lugs on the rotor, the method includes the step of wrapping a sling about each of the blades, attaching each sling to a fitting, lifting each fitting to thereby raise the rotor from the surface, and attaching the rotor to the drive shaft while the position and orientation of the rotor is controlled by the slings.

A method for mounting a rotor to a drive shaft of a wind turbine, the method comprising placing a hub on a surface, attaching a first, a second, and a third rotor blade to the hub to thereby make a rotor in situ. To protect the blades and to avoid fixed lifting lugs on the rotor, the method includes the step of wrapping a sling about each of the blades, attaching each sling to a fitting, lifting each fitting to thereby raise the rotor from the surface, and attaching the rotor to the drive shaft while the position and orientation of the rotor is controlled by the slings.

A woven webbing for use in a tiedown or sling for lifting, restraint or other material handling functions. The woven webbing includes a central portion and tubular edges. The central portion has a top surface and an oppositely facing bottom surface. The top surface and bottom surface may be woven in a first pattern for strength and abrasion resistance while remaining flexible. The tubular edges extend from either side of the central portion. The tubular edges may be woven in a second pattern to improve the cut resistance of the tubular edges. The tubular edges have interior cavities which may include twisted floating yarn extending therethrough to enhance the cut resistance of the tubular edges. The tubular edges may include a high modulus yarn material which changes the orientation of the yarn material away from the axial direction of tension when a load is applied to the webbing.

A system for monitoring loading of equipment includes a transmitter assembly mounted to the equipment and a central server. The transmitter assembly has a strain gauge secured to the equipment, an on-board controller and a battery. The central server is in communication with the on-board controller. The central server is configured to receive collected loading data from the transmitter assembly. The on-board controller is configured to operate the transmitter assembly in a load monitoring power mode and a deep sleep mode. The on-board controller is configured to operate at a sleep interval when a load measured by the strain gauge is less than ten percent of a rated working load of the equipment and at an active interval when the load measured by the strain gauge is greater than ten percent of the rated working load. The sleep interval is less than the active interval.