RMX SERIES
2 - 6
4 8 3 0 1 8 - 3 / 1 5
T e r e x S o u t h D a k o t a
R M X S e r i e s
MAINTENANCE GUIDELINES
WINCH ROPE INSPECTION
All stable braid ropes in continuous service should be visually inspected once every working day. A thorough
inspection of all ropes in use should be made at least once a month and a full written, dated and signed
report of rope condition kept on file where readily available. All inspection should be performed by an
authorized person.
All stable braid ropes installed on a machine which has been idle for a period of one week or more due to
shut down or storage should be given a thorough inspection before being placed in service. This inspection
should be performed by an authorized person whose approval should be required for further use of the rope.
A written and dated report of the rope condition should be filed.
Continued use and normal wear on rope gradually diminishes the ultimate breaking strength and lowers the
factor of safety. In determining the proper discard time of stable braid rope, the following guides are
suggested:
1.
If as many as one half of the cover strands are cut at a given point, this damaged section should be cut
out and the rope rejoined with a standard end-for-end splice. If within 10 ft. (3 m) of the eye, put in a new
eye splice. It can then be used normally. If a few damaged strands spaced out along the rope at intervals
is evident, the rope should be periodically examined.
2.
If the individual cover strands have been worn down after extended use to within 50 percent of their
original bulk over an extended area of the line, then the line should be discarded (or assigned to a less
critical task). This can best be determined by examination and comparison of the bulk of an individual
strand which is exposed and subject to wear with that same strand where it crosses under other strands
and is protected (and therefore is full size).
It should be kept in mind that the rope can be cut and damaged by sharp edges. Therefore, it should not be
exposed to sharp edges and surfaces such as metal burrs on winch drums, sheaves, etc. When installing
rope on older machines, great care must be exercised to assure that the rope does not come in contact with
hardware that has been scored and chewed by previously used wire rope lines.
Winch rope has its best dielectric properties when it is new and clean. Dirt, grease, other foreign matter and
moisture -humidity- will alter these dielectric properties, thus the rope should be kept clean and dry. The rope
can be cleaned by washing in a mild detergent and warm water, rinsed and air dried. Water can be trapped
between the fibers and should be squeezed out by placing the line under tension and air-dried.
The first layer of wraps around the winch drum should be applied closely and tightly with some tension. This
will prevent subsequent wraps from slipping down between the turns when tension is applied.
Certain chemicals will break down the fibers of the rope. Chemicals to avoid are sulfuric acids, alkalis, or
chlorinated hydrocarbons over 160 degrees F (71 degrees C). Strong cleaning agents or bleaches may also
be harmful.
Eye splices at the end of the winch line should be done in strict accordance with the
steps and procedures outlined by the rope manufacturer.
The insulating factors of a fiberglass boom or jib can be affected by dirty, wet or
contaminated rope.
When replacing rope, make sure the correct rope type is installed. All ropes are not
constructed the same and have different ratings.
