Proper usage of sorting hooks

Sorting hooks may not be a common sight in most companies, but for those who do use them, it's important to refresh oneself on their proper usage, whether you refer to them as lay out hooks, pelican hooks, shake out hooks, or sorting hooks.

These hooks were specifically designed to sort and arrange items such as plate, pipe, cylindrical shapes, and other materials that allow for full engagement of the hook throat with multiple sling legs.

While hooks used for overhead lifting are required to have a latch, having one on a sorting hook would greatly limit its practical use when handling plate and cylindrical shapes like pipe.

Consider the following guidelines when using sorting hooks:

• Ensure that the sorting and laying out process involves moving materials at a low height, allowing the crane operator to observe the load and load connections throughout the entire handling activity.

• Attach the hooks in a manner that maintains a stable and balanced condition during the entire process.

• If the load exhibits any bending, stop the lift immediately and analyze the situation to ensure safety.

• Maintain tension on the slings with hooks at the load connections during the entire handling activity to prevent the hooks from disengaging.

• Note that the load on sorting hooks may vary based on the angle of loading. When the angle is between 30 and 45 degrees and the load is inserted to the full depth of the hook throat without creating tip loading, the Crosby sorting hook's working load limit is 7.5 tons. If the angle of loading is more than 45 degrees, possible tip loading may occur, and the maximum working load limit is reduced to 2 tons when the hook is fully engaged.

Additional points to consider:

• Avoid concentrating the load on the last 2 inches of the hook tip.

• Do not exceed a 45-degree "included angle" between two sling legs that are on the same side of the load to prevent slippage along the load surface.

• For sorting hooks, it is recommended to load at an angle between 30 to 45 degrees for full hook throat engagement, even though lower angles are generally discouraged for most rigging applications.

• When loading at an angle greater than 45 degrees, it is essential to be aware of potential tip loading and the failure to achieve full hook throat engagement.

• Sorting hooks are designed for straight in-line loading only and should not be used for side loading applications.

• Calculate the sling tension and the loading in all connection points to ensure that all rigging gear is appropriately sized.

• Never exceed the working load limit as stated on the sling identification tag. It's important to note that sorting hooks are typically used in multiples, such as two-, three-, or four-leg wire rope sling assemblies, and all slings must have proper identification, including the capacity of the sling assembly.

Overall, sorting hooks are intended for sorting and laying out plate, pipe, cylindrical shapes, and other items that allow for full hook throat engagement in multiple sling leg applications.