Can't you use crane shackles? They are cheaper then 35 bucks a pop. atleast they are where I work.
I got a deal on two 5/8 shackles with a working load limit of 3-1/4 tons. It cost me 5 bucks total because I got employee pricing. i don't know the size of those shackles, but these the available sizes from crosby, and I betcha other GOOD companies carry the same or better specs.
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Nominal[/FONT] Working Stock No. Weight Dimensions [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
tolerance[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Size (in.) Load Each (in.) +/-[/FONT][/FONT]
Limit (t)* G-2130 S-2130 (lbs.) A B C D E F H L N C A
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5/8 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
3-1/4 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
1019490 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
1019506 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
1.68 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
1.06 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
.77 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
2.38 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
.63 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
1.69 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
1.50 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
4.19 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
2.94 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
.69 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
.13 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
.06[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
3/4 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
4-3/4 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
1019515 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
1019524 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
2.72 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
1.25 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
.89 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
2.81 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
.75 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
2.00 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
1.81 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
4.97 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
3.50 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
.81 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
.25 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
.06[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
7/8 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
6-1/2 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
1019533 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
1019542 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
3.95 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
1.44 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
1.02 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
3.31 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
.88 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
2.28 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
2.09 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
5.83 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
4.03 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
.97 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
.25 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
.06[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
1 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
8-1/2 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
1019551 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
1019560 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
5.66 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
1.69 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
1.15 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
3.75 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
1.00 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
2.69 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
2.38 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
6.56 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
4.69 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
1.06 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
.25 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
.06[/FONT]
*
NOTE: Maximum Proof Load is 2.0 times the Working Load Limit. Minimum Ultimate Strength is 6 times the Working Load Limit. For Working Load Limit reduction due to side loading applications, see page 68.
† Individually Proof Tested with certification.
‡ Furnished in Anchor style only. Furnished with Round Head Bolts with welded handles.
I got all of that off the website
http://www.thecrosbygroup.com/productcatalog/maininterface.htm
go there, and just go the the shackle you would like to see. there is much more info in there, I didn't want to copy paste it all. everything about the coatings they receive and pressure treatings and such other shinanagins that go on in that factory.
P.S. this is a Canadian company, but there are other places around that can hook you up with cheaper shackles. Just go to an industrial tool supplier with a walk in order desk. They would definately have them. and may even give you a deal if you sweet talk them. That's what happened at my old work.....
I bet this helps you in no way shape or form. but definately try and go with an unused shackle. I worked as a the receiver at my old job, and I saw some e shackles that were bent and broken, and I would hate that to happen to me.