The new Prolink shackle from Factor 55 can replace standard winch hooks to provide a safer, stronger and better-designed shackle mount.This Prolink shackle mount can be used with both winch cables and synthetic ropes. Designed and manufactured in the USA, the Prolink safely attaches to a standard 3/4in screw pin shackle to winch cables and rope eyes. A removable 5/8in double shear pin captures the cable or rope eye into the body of the Prolink. The front has a shackle mounting hole and a 1.2in thick mounting tab. The Prolink can be used with Hawse and Roller fairleads. It fits snugly against both versions.
There are many advantages to winching using a screw pin shackle rather than a conventional winch hook. Screw pin shackles contain up to 5X the strength of conventional winch hooks. Conventional hooks don't fit safely in both ends of recovery straps. Recovery straps don't slip out of a shackle but are able to when using hooks. Safe loads are difficult to determine because hook safety latches are not rated. These hooks can damage the recovery straps. Strap ratings decrease when conventional hook surfaces add greater amounts of stress to the recovery strap fibers.
Shackles can be removed with speed. Hooks loosen causing rattling because they can't cinch snugly against the fairleads. Standard winch hooks are designed for chains, not recovery straps. Quality performance and stress tests are performed. Precision machined from 6061-T6 Kaiser aluminum, they fit all steel cables and synthetic ropes that are up to 3/8in diameter. They fit eyes that are equipped with conventional or tube thimbles up to 3/8in diameters. Uses a 5/8in diameter 6Al-4V titanium double shear pin. Optional EPDM rubber guard provides protection. The Prolink can be cinched against all types of fairleads including Hawse or Roller. They are anodized and zinc plated.