RUD lifting points are specialised attachment devices that connect your load to lifting gear. They can handle extreme conditions that would cause standard eyebolts to fail.
At RUD Chains, we manufacture these lifting points with built-in safety features like heat-indicating coatings and patented wear markers. We also ensure that the load capacities and working load limit (WLL) are clearly marked, so you can lift safely and reliably.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- What RUD lifting points are and how they work
- Main differences between RUD points and standard eyebolts
- How to select the right capacity for your application
- Annual inspection and maintenance requirements
Read on to learn how proper lifting design protects both load and people.
What Are RUD Lifting Points?
RUD lifting points are specific attachment devices used to attach loads to lifting gear like chains, hooks, and shackles for secure lifting. They form the link between the load and the lifting equipment.
Without a proper attachment point, chains or slings can’t hold the load securely. It increases the risk of slipping or movement. If you’ve ever watched a load start to twist mid-air, you know why it’s a serious issue.
Let’s get into more detail about RUD lifting point options and how they work.
Boltable Lifting Points
Boltable lifting points thread directly into existing holes on your load. You can get them in metric or imperial thread sizes, depending on what you’re working with. If you use the wrong size here, the point won’t seat properly. Which will put your entire lift at risk (trust us, it can go horribly wrong).
Once you’ve matched the correct thread to your application, you can install it in minutes. And when the job’s done, just unbolt the lifting point and move on.
For maintenance teams working across sites in Brisbane or Ipswich, this means you don’t need permanent points on every piece of equipment.
Weldable Lifting Points
Weldable points work differently from boltable ones. They get welded directly onto load-bearing steel structures, and they stay there permanently.
You’ll see weldable points on equipment that gets lifted over and over, like mining machinery, fabricated steel frames, and transport containers moving through the Port of Brisbane every week.
Now, one of the best things about these points is that they’re always there when you need them. Since there’s no threading process involved, you don’t have to spend a second setting them up. Just attach your rigging and lift (efficiency at its best).
RUD’s weldable range handles loads up to 100 tonnes, which covers most heavy industrial work across Australia’s mining and infrastructure sectors.
Pro tip: Store removable lifting points separately from general hardware to prevent accidental substitution with non-rated bolts.
How Are RUD Lifting Points Different From Standard Eye Bolts?
RUD lifting points offer higher load capacities, maintain full WLL at angles, and include safety features that standard eyebolts don’t have. While eyebolts are suitable for simple vertical lifts, they quickly reach their limits when lifting at angles, using multiple attachment points, or working in tough conditions.
Here’s a quick overview of why RUD lifting points are different from standard options:
- Four-To-One Safety Factor: RUD lifting points withstand four times their working load limit before failure, regardless of load direction. Plus, every load-bearing component gets 100% crack tested before it leaves the factory.
- Heat-Indicating Coating: The distinctive pink colour makes RUD points easy to spot and also acts as a heat indicator. If the point is exposed to temperatures above 200°C, the coating darkens and can turn brown-black. It indicates that the part may have been overheated.
- Ball Bearing Swivel Design: A double ball bearing system lets the lifting point turn smoothly all the way around while it’s under load. That means it lines up naturally with the direction of pull and reduces dangerous side forces.
- Integrated Wear Indicators: Built-in wear markings let you see how much a lifting point has worn at 45, 60, and 90-degree angles, which helps you spot when it’s time to replace it. Also, RUD’s powder coating and markings support regular inspections and help ensure safe use of equipment on the job.
As a complete solution, these points help protect both the load and the people handling it.
How Do You Select and Maintain RUD Lifting Points?
To select and maintain the right RUD lifting points, you need to calculate total load weight, consider tilt angles, and conduct regular inspections. If you get even one of them wrong, you may encounter a serious incident during a routine lift.
We’ll now explain the load calculation process and the maintenance strategy.
Load Weight Calculations
When you’re calculating total load weight, you must start with the actual weight of what you’re lifting. It may sound obvious, but we’ve seen how plenty of operators calculate based on assumptions instead of measuring the weight. Nobody should take that risk.
Now, once you’ve got the real number, figure out how many attachment points you’ll use based on the load’s shape and balance.
You also have to consider the tilt angle reduction factors during calculation, as they can considerably affect your required capacity.
For instance, if you have a lift with two points at a 60-degree angle, each point will carry more load than half the total weight. That’s because the angle creates additional force that your calculations need to account for (always double-check your math here).
Most importantly, make sure that each lifting point exceeds your calculated load with a proper safety margin. It’s never a good idea to just match the numbers. Instead, give yourself room for unexpected movement, load shifts, or changes during the lift.
Annual Inspection Requirements
According to Safe Work Australia’s Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace, regular inspection and maintenance of lifting equipment and its components is essential to ensure it remains safe for use.
So, before each use, check bolt torque, corrosion, wear, and deformation. Bolts often loosen from vibration during transport, especially on equipment moving between sites regularly. And if you work around coastal areas or places where moisture gets trapped, corrosion damages your lifting gear pretty quickly.
But that’s not all. To keep equipment safe to use, you also need an annual inspection by a qualified expert. They check the structure for damage or cracks you may not see and make sure the WLL markings are still clear and readable. These checks aren’t optional, by the way.
Lastly, replace any points showing colour change, cracks, or excessive wear. The heat-indicating pink coating tells you when a point’s been compromised by temperature exposure. Like, do you see a brown-black colour or bubbling on it? It’s done, no exceptions.
Next Steps for Safe Lifting Operations
You now know how RUD lifting points differ from standard eyebolts and why those differences are important for load safety.
In particular, features like the pink heat indicator, four-to-one safety factor, and ball bearing swivel systems are why mining operations, infrastructure projects, and defence contractors across Australia trust RUD for heavy lifting work.
RUD Australia has been manufacturing chain technology and lifting solutions in Brisbane for over 40 years. Contact our team to discuss which lifting points match your specific application and load requirements.