Lifting Clutch VS Ring Clutch

Lifting Clutch and Ring Clutch are both devices used to lift concrete blocks. The correct selection and use of them can make the entire project more efficient and safe. This article will help you understand them in all aspects and how to buy the more suitable one.

Lifting Clutch VS Ring Clutch A Complete Guide

What The Lifting Clutch and Ring Clutch Are.

Both are facilities used to lift concrete blocks, used to link the anchors on the concrete blocks and the hooks on the crane. But the two are used for different anchors. And the two are also very different in the name, here will be a detailed comparison. They both need to use

- Lifting Clutch:

Mostly used as a general term for all Clutches. In a narrow sense, it refers to a device used to lift concrete blocks with Lifting Pin Anchors. It also has many other names such as Lifting Eye, Dog Bone Lifting Clutch or Eye, Spherical Head Lifting Clutch, etc. Its head is connected to the handle (chain), and there is a long slot in the middle of the head. The opening of the slot is wide for the embedding of the anchor, and the inside is thinner to provide a bearing point. It has 2 styles (depending on whether the handle or chain is connected to the crane end). When we call it Lifting Clutch, we mostly refer to the ordinary handle. Because Lifting Pins are cylindrical and the head is spherical, the lifting direction of the lifting clutch is more flexible. It is mostly used to lift thicker concrete blocks or complex shapes such as concrete pipes, culverts, thicker wall panels, etc.

- Ring Clutch:

It is a device specially designed for lifting Spread Lifting Anchors. Its head is ring-shaped, hence the name. Its head can be connected to the handle (chain or wire rope), and the head design structure is more complex, consisting of an outer ring and a pin. It has three styles (depending on whether the crane end is connected to a handle, wire rope or chain). When we call it Ring Clutch, we mostly refer to the ordinary handle. Spread Anchor is made of steel plate, and the groove generated by Recess Former is flat, so its use needs to pay attention to the load direction.

The Type of Lifting Clutch and Ring Clutch.

The classification of the two also mainly depends on what is the middle part of the connection head and the crane. And what kind of Anchors they are used to connect.

- Lifting Clutch:

When the middle part is made of steel plate, it is mostly called Lifting Clutch, when it is a chain, it is called Lifting Clutch with Chain.

- Ring Clutch:

When the middle part is made of steel plate, it is mostly called Ring Clutch, when it is a chain, it is called Ring Clutch with Chain, when it is a wire rope, it is called Combine Ring Clutch.

What The Structures and Materials of Lifting Clutch and Ring Clutch Are.

They both consist of a head and a handle, and the difference lies in the head. The connection between the head and the handle uses a high-performance alloy steel bar that is hot-bent and welded to the steel plate or connected to the chain.

Similarities:

Bar:

It is a high-performance steel plate with a hole left, and the purpose of the opening is to facilitate the insertion of the hook.

Its material is: Q345D and Q355D, it is made by laser cutting, the production process is more efficient, and it can also save material costs.

Chain:

Its end ring is larger, which is convenient for the insertion of the hook.

Its material is: Q345D and Q355D.

Linking Steel Rod:

It is a component used to pass through the head to link the head and Bar together.

Its material is: Q345D and Q355D. It is cut into a specific length after blanking, passed through the head after hot bending, and then welded on the Bar or chain.

Lifting Clutch

Head:

The head is a spherical shape with flat sides, a gap reserved in the middle, and a wider gap at the opening to facilitate the entry of the head of the Lifting Pins. A hole is left in the middle of the flat end to facilitate the passage of the linking steel plate. The spherical body, the gaps in the middle and the tail are of equal width and are narrower than the diameter of the head of the Lifting Pins to provide a bearing point. There is an ear on the head to facilitate the user to better push the Lifting Pins into the head.

Its material is: G30CrMoV or CM490. It is formed in one go through precision casting, which not only has stronger performance but also saves a lot of production costs.

Ring Clutch:

Head:

The head of Ring Clutch is divided into two parts, ring and pin.

Ring:

It has a hole in the middle for passing the connecting steel rod. The ring is open, and the width of the opening depends on the thickness of the Spread Anchor. Some parts of the ring are hollow and there are gaps on the outer wall to facilitate the push-in and push-out of the pin.

Its material is: G30CrMoV or CM490. It is laser cut, which makes the production process more efficient and saves material costs.

Locking Blot:

It is hot-forged from high-performance alloy steel. The round bend needs to be placed in the Ring, and the straight part can also be called the handle. Its main function is to push the Locking Blot into the hole of the Spread Anchor. There is a hole on the handle of the Locking Blot, which can be connected to the rope for disassembly of the Ring Clutch.After it is inserted into the ring, a pin needs to be driven into the ring to prevent it from slipping out.

Where Lifting Clutch and Ring Clutch Are Used For.

Both of them are used for the lifting of precast concrete parts, but they have different focuses. When Pins Anchor is used on the precast concrete parts, Lifting Clutch is needed, and when Spread Anchors is used, Ring Clutch is needed.

These precast concrete parts can be:

Wall panels

Columns

Beams

Floor slabs

Stairs

Basements

Manholes

Culverts

Pipes

Guardrails

Where to install anchors requires professional engineers to perform complex calculations based on the stress conditions of the parts. Currently, Halfen is known to provide such calculation solutions.

Choose the Right One of the Lifting Clutch or Ring Clutch.

Choosing the right Lifting Clutch can complete the lifting of precast concrete parts more safely. We should consider the following two aspects when choosing them.

According To the Anchors:

When Spread Anchor is used on concrete precast blocks, we should use Ring Clutch.

When Pin Anchor is used on concrete precast blocks, we should use Lifting Clutch.

According To the Load Groups:

No matter what kind of Clutch, they all have Load Group. The load range will be printed on their heads. For example, when 1.3 -2.5 tons is printed on the Head, then its upper limit in the force direction is 2.5 tons. We usually use a tensile force of more than 5 times the safety factor to complete the test. This means that its maximum load capacity can reach 12.5 tons.

During actual lifting, the angle between the tensile force direction and the gravity direction must be considered for calculation.

The Lifting Clutch of the same Load Group can lift all Pin Anchors of the group. Because the diameter of the Head end of the Pin Anchor is the same.

Similarly, the Ring Clutch of the same Load Group can lift all Spread Anchors of the group. Because the diameter of the Head end hole of the Spread Anchor is the same.

How To Use Lifting Clutch and Ring Clutch.

We will show you how to use Lifting Clutch and Ring Clutch more intuitively through pictures and texts.

Lifting Clutch:

Coupling:

1. Check the load duty of the anchor

2. To connect the lifting link to the anchor, the sphere is pushed with its opening facing downwards over the anchor.

3. The tongue of the sphere is then turned downwards to close around the anchor.

The Universal Head sits in the recess and is now ready for use.

Lifting:

1. The lifting clutch is suitable for axial loads and pitching. The unit can also be rotated on the lifting link when pitching the unit. The tongue must be closed during this process.

2. The counterweight of the tongue ensures that the sphere remains in the correct position, even when the load is released.

3. Turning the link while under load is restricted by friction. A small amount of grease is allowed if necessary.

Release:

When the load is taken off, release the lifting clutch by turning the sphere with the tongue as shown.

Lift the lifting clutch well away, and do not let it dangle over the anchor.

Attention:

The Lifting Clutch is an attachment link for the lifting and transporting of precast concrete units in combination with the Spherical Head Anchor. The Lifting Clutch is manually operated and manufactured in the versions given in the following table.

The allowable loads for individual cases must be checked using the tables for each anchor type.

Safety regulations in the country of use must always be observed, in particular those for the use of cranes and lifting equipment.

Do not use the Lifting Clutch in precast units that have been designed for the turning and lifting clutch.

Ring Clutch:

Removing the formwork sections

Before lifting the precast concrete unit, as many sections of the formwork as possible should be removed in order to minimise adhesion to the formwork.

Inadequate stripping is the most common cause of flaking of the precast concrete unit or of anchor failure. The forces acting on the lifting system may be several times the actual weight of

the precast unit.

Removing the recess formers

To strip the recess former, two rods are inserted in the holes in the recess former, which is then levered out by

scissors action. This technique will guarantee a long life time for the recess former. Attempting to remove the recess former using the tip of a carpenter‘s hammer will destroy it.

Fitting the ring clutch

To transport an element, insert the suitable ring clutch for the load group over the anchor head in the concrete recess. The load ranges are foolproof.

Locking the ring clutch

Securely lock the ring clutch with a straightforward hand-operated movement of the locking bolt. The resulting connection is secure, allowing the ring clutch to move freely in any direction. The precast element can now be safely lifted out of the formwork and transported to its storage location.

Assembly

A primary advantage of the HULK Metal Rapid Lift System is that the slinging devices (ring clutches) remain attached to the crane hook and do not need to be transported by hand.

The ring clutch can be released manually by pushing back the locking bolt once the device is off-loaded.

Tilting slabs without tilting the table

The hulk metal ring clutch can be used to move flat-manufactured precast units from a horizontal to a vertical position. The direction of the pull is at right angles to the built-in anchor.

To avoid flaking of the concrete, the erection anchor should be properly embedded in the unit.

Misuse of the Ring Clutch

If the shackle is beneath the clutch head when subjected to the load, it may lock in the position illustrated.

The round shackle will become bent then when the load is raised.

If the shackle is pulled towards the top surface of the slab when subjected to the load, it may become bent on the edge of the slab.

In the upper position, the shackle may lock within the clutch housing.

A narrow lifting cable angle will cause the shackle to become bent. The problem can be overcome by turning the shackle through approx 45°.

Attention Before Use Lifting Clutch or Ring Clutch

The customer must ensure that the lifting clutchs are checked for any damage before use.

In addition the customer must carry out full inspections at regular intervals.

These must be carried out by a qualified person at intervals to suit the site conditions or in any event every year.

Reject the clutch if:

• it is deformed/bent in any way.

• it is worn such that max h and min m are exceeded.

• the identification lettering is worn away.

Inspections must be recorded in a report showing the values measured. Records must be filed and stored in an appropriate place. As a guide experience has shown that links last approx 7 years.

Alteration and repairs to the Universal- Heads, especially welding operations, are strictly forbidden.

Summary:

In this comprehensive comparison, Ring Clutch and Lifting Clutch are shown to fulfill distinct roles in precast‑concrete handling: the Ring Clutch excels with flat-groove Spread Anchors for stable, multi‑directional lifts, while the Lifting Clutch offers greater flexibility with spherical Pin Anchors on complex or heavier units. Both devices share high‑strength Q345D/Q355D steel construction and precise manufacturing-but their head designs and connection methods make each more suitable for specific anchor types and load requirements. By selecting the correct clutch according to anchor style and load group, you ensure safer, more efficient lifting operations.

Ready to optimize your next precast project? Choose HULK Metal’s expertly engineered clutches for reliable performance, contact us now to find the perfect lifting solution.