Wire Rope Clips | Crosby Red-U-Bolt® & Fist Grips

Wire Rope Clips (Cable Clamps)

When you need to create a load-bearing eye at the end of a wire rope in the field, you need Wire Rope Clips. Unlike swaged sleeves or poured sockets, clips allow for temporary or permanent termination without special machinery. However, not all clips are created equal.

Holloway Houston Inc. exclusively stocks Drop Forged wire rope clips. Unlike cheap "malleable iron" clips found in hardware stores (which can fracture under heavy load), our Crosby and Green Pin clips are forged from high-strength steel, ensuring they can withstand the rigorous demands of lifting, towing, and guying.

The Product Lineup

1. Drop Forged U-Bolt Clips (Crosby G-450 / Green Pin G-6240)

The classic "U-Bolt and Saddle" design.

• Crosby G-450 (The Red-U-Bolt®) : The global standard. The Red-U-Bolt is the only clip on the market with a distinct Red U-Bolt for instant identification. It offers an efficiency rating of 80% for 1/8"-7/8" sizes and 90% for sizes 1" and larger.
• Green Pin G-6240 : A premium European alternative generally conforming to EN 13411-5 Type B standards.
• Application : Best for permanent installations or turnback eyes on winch lines.

2. Fist Grip® / Chair Type Clips (Crosby G-429)

Also known as "Double Saddle" or "Mid-Grip" clips.

• Design : Features two inverted saddles and two bolts.
• The Advantage :
  • Impossible to Install Backwards : Because both sides are saddles, you cannot make the "saddle on a dead horse" mistake.
  • Non-Crushing : The dual saddles grip the rope without crimping or crushing the wire strands as severely as a U-bolt.
• Application : Ideal for applications where the clips may need to be moved or adjusted, or where rope integrity is paramount.

Safety & Installation: The Golden Rules

Improper installation of wire rope clips reduces the termination efficiency significantly, leading to failure.

1. "Never Saddle a Dead Horse"

When using U-Bolt clips (G-450/G-6240), the Saddle (the forged piece) must always be placed on the Live End (load-bearing side) of the rope. The U-Bolt goes on the Dead End (the cut tail).

• Memory Aid : "You don't put a saddle on a dead horse."

2. Turnback & Torque

Clips rely on friction.

• Turnback : You must use the correct length of rope tail (Turnback) specified by the manufacturer.
• Quantity : Use the required number of clips (e.g., a 3/4" rope requires 4 clips).
• Torque : Nuts must be tightened to the specific torque (ft-lbs) listed in the Crosby/Green Pin manual using a torque wrench. Retighten after the first load is applied.

Technical Specifications

• Material : Forged Steel (Base), Galvanized (Finish).
• Efficiency : 80% - 90% (Depending on size and installation).
• Sizes : We stock everything from miniature 1/8" clips up to massive 3-1/2" clips for heavy lift cranes.
• Standards : Meets or exceeds ASME B30.26, Federal Specification FF-C-450 Type 1, Class 1.

Browse our inventory below to filter by Clip Type (Fist Grip vs. Drop Forged), Size, and Brand.