Unlike its distinctive pink-painted VIP equipment, the Dur 100 chain is black and forged products white. The equipment is also rated at grade 10, according to the manufacturer, as chain rated at the European grade 8 standard – EN 818 – plus 20% extra tensile strength.

The company is not planning to market the range, but will make it available to dealers in order to give them a lower-price alternative.

Although the range is intended to be sold on price, because it has been made on new moulds, it is the first of Rud’s products to include a few new features that will eventually be rolled out to the entire range. Three new arrows marked underneath the largest point on both sides of the hook are wear indicators. Also new are marks on either side of the hook opening to make sure it has not bent out of shape.

For its pink VIP range, Rud has launched a weld-on bracket with new supports that help prevent the hook from being caught between the welded sleeve and the lifting ring, and which also help support the sleeve in case of horizontal loading. The protective flanges prevent the sleeve pulling off the load.