RUD chains get used in crane operations, heavy equipment rigging, load securement, and just about any industrial lifting job where failure isn’t an option.
If you’ve dealt with lifting gear that wears out fast, fails safety checks, or can’t handle your actual loads, you already know the cost adds up quickly. We’ve worked with mining operators, power stations, and infrastructure projects across Australia, dealing with exactly these headaches.
The answer usually comes down to using properly rated chain technology that’s actually manufactured to handle Australian industrial conditions. That’s where RUD Australia comes in.
In this article, we share what makes our chains work for heavy lifting applications across different industries. You’ll get to know:
- What makes RUD chains different from standard lifting chains
- Where these chains are used across Australian industries
- The fittings and components that complete your lifting setup
Grab a cuppa and let’s dig in.
What Makes RUD Chains Different?
RUD chains are Grade 120 lifting chains manufactured in Brisbane, Australia, and designed for heavy industrial applications where strength and reliability can’t be compromised. The difference comes from how they’re made and what goes into each link.
Learn the three main factors that set these chains apart:
Grade 120 ICE Chain Technology
A Grade 120 chain offers roughly 50% more lifting capacity than a Grade 80 chain for the same chain size. That means you can handle heavier loads without stepping up to a thicker, bulkier chain.
Also, the ICE (Ideal Chain for Efficiency) design from RUD reduces wear and extends service life under constant load cycles and abrasive conditions you’d see in mining or quarry work. Each link goes through strict quality control measures during manufacturing.
We manufacture the chain to Australian standards (AS 2321) and international certifications, so you’re covered for workplace safety compliance.
Australian Manufacturing in Brisbane
Local manufacturing means faster turnaround when you need chains or custom work done for your operation. Our Brisbane manufacturing team has been handling custom chain projects since 1984, and we work directly with clients who need specific configurations.
The local setup means quality control happens here, ensuring compliance with Australian workplace safety regulations without waiting on overseas suppliers. Even if you need a specific chain length or custom fittings, the in-house engineers handle that without the back-and-forth you’d get importing solutions from overseas.
Over 140 Years of Chain Engineering
The RUD Group started in Germany in 1875 and remains family-owned by the Rieger family today. That’s over 140 years of chain technology development and innovation (and yes, that’s actual innovation, not just filing paperwork).
The company holds more than 500 international patents covering everything from chain link design to lifting technologies and materials handling systems. Meanwhile, RUD Australia was established in 1984 by the Nuttall family, bringing that German engineering expertise to Australian industries.
Today, we’ve grown to multiple branch offices across Australia and New Zealand, with a team of over 90 people supporting mining, infrastructure, and industrial clients.
Heavy Lifting Applications: Where RUD Chains Work
RUD chains handle crane operations, material handling systems, hoist setups, and load securement across Australian industrial sites. Frankly, chains get used everywhere in heavy industry, but not all applications are the same.
The main lifting applications include:
- Crane and Rigging Operations: RUD chains work in mobile cranes, overhead cranes, and gantry systems where loads need secure attachment points. The chain slings provide flexible rigging options for awkward or irregularly shaped heavy equipment and machinery.
- Material Handling and Conveyor Systems: Conveyor system drives rely on an industrial chain for moving materials through processing plants. The chain handles constant cycling without stretching or breaking under load.
- Hoist and Lashing Applications: We create lifting hoists that use Grade 120 chain for vertical load movement in workshops and maintenance facilities. Meanwhile, a lashing chain secures heavy equipment during transport, with lashing points that match the chain’s working load limit.
The safety factors built into these products mean your load stays put.
Now that you know where RUD chains get used, let’s look at the specific industries that rely on them most.
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RUD Chains Across Major Industries
Different industries put different demands on lifting equipment, and RUD chains are built to handle the specific challenges each sector throws at them. For example, mining hits chains with heat and abrasion, while power stations push them through high temperatures and precision lifting demands.
Here’s where you’ll find them working hardest:
Mining and Quarry Operations
Some of the toughest environments for lifting equipment in Australia are mining and quarry sites. Mining sites use RUD chains for:
- Ore handling
- Equipment maintenance
- Underground transport systems
The chains lift heavy drill components, move processing equipment, and secure loads in haul trucks. And they hold up against dust, moisture, and constant mechanical stress that comes with mining and quarrying.
That reliability counts when your operation can’t afford equipment failures during production shifts.
Power Station Projects
Power stations need dependable chains for turbine maintenance, generator repairs, and swapping out heavy components. Since a typical turbine rotor can weigh 50+ tonnes, the rigging setup requires chains and fittings that handle the job.
Plus, RUD chains can handle those high-temperature environments and provide secure load control during plant shutdowns. The system supports both coal-fired and renewable energy infrastructure projects across Australia.
We’ve supplied lifting solutions for power station upgrades in New South Wales and Queensland, where safety and performance standards don’t leave room for shortcuts.
Defence and Infrastructure Work
Defence applications include naval vessel maintenance, military equipment handling, and secure transport operations. And infrastructure projects need chains for bridge construction, road development, and large-scale civil engineering work across Australia.
As government and defence clients work with organisations that maintain quality assurance systems, that’s where RUD Australia’s commitment to tested, assessed products works best.
Our chains meet stringent government specifications for load certification and safety compliance. Each chain comes with documentation showing test results, materials certificates, and working load limits.
Chain Fittings and Lifting Solutions
The fittings you choose determine how securely your chain attaches to the load and how safely the system performs. So in this section, we’re going to break down the fittings and components that complete your lifting setup.
Connecting Links and Lashing Points
Connecting links join chain lengths and attach to lifting equipment for complete rigging systems. These fittings come in different grades to match your chain specification. That means you can’t mix Grade 80 fittings with Grade 120 chain and expect safe operation.
Now, lashing points secure loads during transport and provide multiple attachment options for cargo restraint. The design lets you adjust tension and positioning without compromising the load rating. So your cargo stays put, even if the road does its best impression of a roller coaster.
Lifting Slings and Hook Systems
Chain slings come configured as single-leg, two-leg, or four-leg setups depending on what you’re lifting.
While a single-leg sling works for straightforward vertical lifts, multi-leg slings distribute the load across multiple attachment points for stability. You get options like:
- Clevis hooks
- Self-locking hooks
- Grab hooks
All these provide secure load attachment without slippage during the lift.
On top of that, hook systems include safety latches to prevent accidental load release during operations. RUD lifting slings use forged steel hooks that undergo load testing before they leave the factory.
You’ll find these products in crane operations, maintenance hoists, and rigging applications where safety can’t be compromised.
Tyre Protection for Heavy Transport
Beyond lifting, RUD chains also protect your heavy transport fleet in ways that save serious money on tyre replacement.
Tyre protection chains shield heavy vehicle tyres from sharp rocks and debris in mining and quarry sites. These aren’t the same as your standard snow chains because we build them heavier to handle the punishment from blasted rock and rough haul roads.
Plus, protection systems extend tyre life and reduce downtime from punctures and sidewall damage (we’ve seen plenty of operators learn this lesson the expensive way).
We offer custom-fitted chains for various tyre sizes and vehicle types in Australian operations. The team can spec the right traction and protection setup for your fleet based on your site conditions and vehicle requirements.
Finding the Right Chain for Your Operation
Choosing the right chain depends on your load weight, lifting method, and working environment.
When you’re selecting chains, start by identifying your maximum working load and the type of rigging configuration you need. Yes, Grade 120 chains offer higher capacity, but you’ll also need to match the fittings, slings, and attachment points to that same grade.
The RUD team can walk you through load calculations and help spec the complete lifting solution for your operation.
Don’t guess on chain specifications when safety and compliance are on the line. Contact us today, and we’ll assess your application and recommend the right chain products and services for your industry.
