Crosby 2-1/2" A-342 Alloy Master Link - 160000 lbs WLL - #1014468

Crosby A-342 Forged Master Link – Forged, Not Welded. The Difference Is Everything.

In critical overhead lifting, the master link is the single point where the entire load converges. The Crosby A-342 starts where most master links stop — with a forged alloy steel construction instead of the welded fabrication common in lesser products. Forging produces a continuous, uninterrupted grain flow through the entire link body, eliminating the heat-affected zones, weld discontinuities, and inconsistent strength profiles that make welded links the weaker choice for certified lifting applications.

QUIC-CHECK® – Overload Detection Built In

The A-342 features Crosby's patented QUIC-CHECK® deformation indicators — forged directly into the link body — allowing instant visual assessment of whether the link has experienced overload deformation. No specialist tools, no guesswork. A quick visual check confirms whether the link remains within safe working parameters or requires removal from service — a critical capability for inspection programs and high-frequency lifting operations.

Individually Proof Tested. Fully Traceable.

Every A-342 is individually proof tested with certification, using special fixtures sized to prevent localized point loading per testing standards — ensuring the proof test reflects real-world load distribution rather than artificially favorable test geometry. Each forging carries a Product Identification Code (PIC) alongside raised markings for size, Crosby, and USA — providing complete material traceability from mill certificate to lift record.

Fatigue rated to 20,000 cycles at 1.5× WLL, manufactured from quenched and tempered alloy steel, and meeting or exceeding all ASME B30.26 requirements for identification, ductility, design factor, proof load, and temperature — the A-342 goes further by addressing fatigue life, impact properties, and traceability that fall outside the standard's scope. Select "W" sizes feature enlarged inside dimensions for additional clearance around sling hardware and crane hooks.

Specifications at a Glance: