7/2/2020

C OIL L IFTING S YSTEMS

CONSIDERATIONS INVOLVING THE USE OF LIFTING HARDWARE WITH STEEL COIL OR COIL PATTERN THREAD ENGAGEMENTS

CREA TED: JULY 2019

PROBLEM STATEMENT
This webinar is intended to inform both precasters and erectors of
potential safety issues when using coil inserts, coil nuts, coil rods, and
coil bolts from different manufacturers.
Currently there is no national standard for the manufacturing of 
these coil products, similar to what exists for “Unified National 
Coarse (UNC)” or “fine thread” nuts and bolts. Each manufacturer 
has their own standard, with varying dimensions, tolerances, and 
capacities. As there is no national standard for the manufacturers to 
follow, there is no guarantee that parts from different manufacturers 
will work together as intended and designed.

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MIXED USE MAY CREATE

UNSAFE CONDITIONS
If a coil insert or nut is purchased from supplier/fabricator
A and the corresponding size coil rod or bolt is purchased
from supplier/fabricator B, the capacity of this connection
could be impacted due to a loose or tight fit, or even a
different thread pitch.

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COIL THREADS WEAR FASTER

In addition, when coil threaded systems are used for
repetitive lifting and handling applications, they are prone
to higher wear factors on the thread surfaces than UNC
systems.

Care must be taken to inspect all parts of the coil system 
to ensure tolerances have not been compromised due to 
use and wear.

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INSERT TYPES

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COIL NUTS
Standard Heavy‐duty

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COIL RODS AND BOLTS

Coil Rod Coil Bolt*

Confirm strength of coil rod and bolts.
*Some manufacturers use a welded nut instead of a bolt head.
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COIL LIFTING HARDWARE

Single Swivel 180 Double Swivel 360

Confirm lifting device hole
is compatible with bolt use. PCI.ORG

ORIENT BAIL SO BAIL

IS ALIGNED WITH CRANE LINE!

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LIFTING ANGLE
CONSIDERATION
Washer
Cushions Shackle

Coil diameter

Coil length

When using lifting angles, proper 
Recess depth Insert size lifting and rotation must be at 90 
degrees to the lifting angle to 
ensure equal loading on the 
inserts. A spreader beam may be 
required to ensure 90 degrees.
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THREADED LIFTING LOOP

Vertical tension loading 
only! 

NO SHEAR LOADING! 

! 

Refer to manufacturers for size,
capacities, and limitations.
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MANUFACTURING
DIFFERENCE
• Diameter – minimum/maximum
• Thread pitch
• Wire diameter and grade
• Coil length and number of turns can be different, 
thus affecting design capacity
• Strut lengths and number of struts
• Coating types and procedures

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ITEMS TO INSPECT
• Welds – pitch, minor diameter
• Nuts – pitch, minor diameter, markings
• Bolts – pitch, major diameter, heads rounded, markings, 
cracks, dents, worn threads, bent, rust, concrete residue.
• Rod – pitch, major diameter along entire length of rod, 
cracks, dents, worn threads, bent, rust, concrete residue
• Lifting hardware – worn parts, damaged wire, cracks, bent 
bails, welding evidence, no rotation, rust, concrete 
residue

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O THER C ONSIDERATIONS
F OR C OIL I NSERTS

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COIL THREAD ENGAGEMENT

Ensure proper thread engagement per manufacturer’s 
requirements.

Minimum Coil
Penetration
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PROPER CONSIDERATIONS
INSERT SELECTION

Note: When using coil inserts for lifting and handling, only four-strut
inserts should be used in ¾ in. or larger diameters. A two-strut insert is
shown at the right for illustration purposes only. Although two-strut
inserts can be used, they require straight tension loading, no angled
loading.
Four-strut insert for Two-strut inserts are not typically
Coil bolts, nuts, rods, and inserts from different suppliers should recommended for lifting and
lifting and handling
not be mixed, as there is no national thread standard. handling (tension only)

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PROPER CONSIDERATIONS
BOLT LENGTH

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IMPROPER BOLT LENGTH

Pictures 
show what 
not to do 
and what to 
look for.

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S OME E XAMPLES OF
I NSPECTION M ETHODS

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COIL SYSTEM INSPECTION

TOOLS FOR MANUFACTURER AND QC

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COIL INSERT/NUT:
MINOR DIAMETER INSPECTION

Coil insert minor ID top (too small)
Coil insert minor ID top (good)

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COIL INSERT/NUT:
MINOR DIAMETER INSPECTION

Coil insert minor ID bottom (good) Coil insert minor ID bottom (too big)

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COIL INSERT/NUT:
THREAD PITCH INSPECTION

Coil insert pitch (good) Coil insert pitch (bad)

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COIL INSERT/NUT:
THREAD PITCH MEASUREMENT
When gauges are not 
available, calipers can 
be used but care 
should be taken due to 
measurement accuracy 
and the availability of 
Coil insert pitch 2
data.
Coil insert pitch 1
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COIL ROD/BOLT:
MAJOR MAX DIAMETER INSPECTION

Coil rod bolt major OD max (good) Coil rod bolt major OD max (bad)

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COIL ROD/BOLT:
MAJOR MIN DIAMETER INSPECTION

Coil rod bolt major OD min (good) Coil rod bolt major OD min (bad)

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COIL ROD/BOLT:
THREAD PITCH INSPECTION

Coil rod bolt pitch (good) Coil rod bolt pitch (bad)

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COIL ROD/BOLT:
THREAD PITCH MEASUREMENT

Coil rod bolt pitch 1 Coil rod bolt pitch 2
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OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
• Tilt‐up vs. Precast
• Debris
• Insert protection from water accumulation
• Component governing over system design
• OSHA 29CFR 1926 standards

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