Drop Forged Turnbuckles and Rigging Screws

Turnbuckles and rigging screws tension steel wire rope, cables, tie rods and sling assemblies. Toco stocks both in carbon and stainless steel and advises on the right unit and configuration for the job. They sit in Toco’s rigging hardware range alongside the shackle, eyebolt, wire rope and sling lines, so the tensioning device is matched to the assembly rather than assumed.

Need turnbuckles or rigging screws in a specific size, configuration or finish? Call 011 345 8800 or email sales@toco.co.za.

Jump to Rated loads Rigging screws Configurations Materials Certification FAQ

Turnbuckle or rigging screw, which one does the job?

Both adjust the length and tension of a wire rope, cable, tie rod or sling assembly by rotating a central body so the two end fittings draw in or out together. A turnbuckle has an open body with the threaded section exposed, a smaller size range and a shorter adjustment, and can often be tightened under load. A rigging screw, also known as a bottle screw in marine work, is the heavier duty version: a drop forged closed body with lock nuts that lock the tension in place for a more permanent and rugged result, in a larger size range. The choice comes down to duty, adjustment length and whether the setting must be locked.

Rated loads to DIN 1480

Toco’s drop forged turnbuckles are manufactured to DIN 1480, the dimensional standard for open body turnbuckles with threaded eye, hook or jaw ends. Drop forging gives a stronger, more consistent body than a cast or fabricated fitting, which is why it is the standard for industrial tensioning hardware. Rated loads from the Toco catalogue:

Anchor sizes shown. Intermediate sizes from 6 mm to 48 mm are stocked; the full table is confirmed on enquiry. Hook ended units always carry a lower rating than eye and eye at the same size.

Closed body rigging screws with lock nuts

Rigging screws are supplied drop forged with a closed body and lock nuts, in eye or jaw terminals, for assemblies where the set tension must hold. Stainless steel and drop forged extra long open body versions are available.

Anchor sizes shown. Intermediate sizes from 10 mm to 64 mm are stocked; the full table is confirmed on enquiry.

Never use a tensioning device in compression. Rated loads apply to tension only, at the stated size and configuration. Never exceed the rated load of the unit fitted.

What configurations are available?

End fittings are selected to suit how the unit connects into the assembly. Turnbuckles are commonly supplied in eye and eye, hook and hook, or hook and eye. Rigging screws use eye type or jaw type terminals and come in eye and eye, eye and jaw, or jaw and jaw. A hook end allows quick connection and release; an eye end takes a shackle or permanent pin connection; a jaw end pins directly to a fitting. Tell Toco how the unit connects at each end and the team will confirm the right configuration.

What are turnbuckles and rigging screws used with?

They tension and adjust steel wire rope, cables, tie rods, and steel wire rope and chain sling assemblies. In practice that means guy and stay systems, structural bracing and bracing rods, suspended and fixed installations, and securing or fine tuning tension on rigged assemblies. Rigging screws, with their lock nuts and rugged closed body, are the usual choice on wire rope and chain sling assemblies where the set tension must hold; turnbuckles suit lighter and more frequently adjusted work.

Materials and finishes

Toco supplies turnbuckles and rigging screws in drop forged carbon steel and in stainless steel. Carbon steel units are finished for the environment: hot dip galvanising for heavy outdoor and permanent use, bright zinc plating for lighter indoor and low moisture use, or self coloured where the unit is to be welded into a structure. Stainless steel is chosen for marine, coastal and chemical environments where corrosion resistance matters. Toco will advise on the right material and finish for your conditions and confirm the stainless grade held.

Where turnbuckles and rigging screws are used

Toco does not limit turnbuckles and rigging screws to these sectors. They are supplied for any tensioning or adjustment duty.

Certification and documentation

Turnbuckles and rigging screws are supplied with a Conformance Inspection Certificate, the certificate class that applies to rigging components, with an OEM Certificate available on request. Tell Toco’s team the documentation your site or client file requires and it is arranged with the order.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a turnbuckle and a rigging screw?

A turnbuckle has an open body with the thread exposed, a smaller size range and shorter adjustment, and can often be tightened under load. A rigging screw is the heavier duty closed body version with lock nuts that lock the tension in place, in a larger size range. Toco stocks both.

What is the rated load of a turnbuckle?

Rated load depends on size and end configuration. Toco’s DIN 1480 turnbuckles run from 220 kg at 6 mm to 16,800 kg at 48 mm in eye and eye, and rigging screws from 500 kg at 10 mm to 27,200 kg at 64 mm. Confirm the figure for your size before use.

What certificate is supplied with turnbuckles and rigging screws?

A Conformance Inspection Certificate, the class that applies to rigging components, with an OEM Certificate available on request. Tell Toco the documentation your site requires and it is arranged with the order.

What standard are Toco’s turnbuckles made to?

Toco’s drop forged turnbuckles are manufactured to DIN 1480, the dimensional standard for open body turnbuckles with threaded ends. Toco also stocks commercial and stainless steel turnbuckles, and drop forged closed body rigging screws with lock nuts.

Do hook ended turnbuckles carry the same rating as eye and eye?

No. A hook ended unit always carries a lower rated load than an eye and eye unit of the same size, for example 73 kg against 220 kg at 6 mm and 5,599 kg against 16,800 kg at 48 mm. Specify the end configuration when you request a rating.

Can I get stainless steel turnbuckles?

Yes. Toco supplies stainless steel turnbuckles and rigging screws for marine, coastal and chemical environments, as well as drop forged carbon steel units in galvanised, bright zinc and self coloured finishes. Toco will confirm the stainless grade held.

Request a turnbuckle or rigging screw quote

Tell Toco the size, end configuration, material and finish you need, or describe the assembly you are tensioning.

Call 011 345 8800

Or email sales@toco.co.za. Germiston head office and Cape Town branch, supplying South Africa and SADC.

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