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5.6 WIRE ROPE
5.6.1General
Wire rope can be the weak link in crane safety. It is subjected to heavy loads, abrasion, kinking, extreme
weather conditions, chemical attack and other forces which can reduce its reliability. The inspection and
care of wire rope is essential in the effort to provide for safe working conditions.
5.6.2Wire rope precautions
1 - Avoid the formation of kinks. Kinks will cause severe weakness in the rope. No corrections are availa
ble for kinked rope.
2 - Do not drag wire rope over a non-rotating support such as a non-functioning sheave. Severe abrasion
caused to outer wire strands will result from friction.
3 - Do not use worn sheaves or flat grooved sheaves. They do not provide support to the full radius of the
rope. Flattening and distortion will result.
4 - Do not use nicked or otherwise broken sheaves. Necks and cracks in sheaves will cut the wire rope.
5 - Evenly wrap wire rope onto the drum. Uneveness will cause crusking and/or crimping of the rope.
6 - Select replacement wire rope to match the capacity and use of the crane. The crane was originally
equipped with appropriate wire rope.
7 - Do not expose the rope to corrosive chemicals.
8 - Lubricate the rope frequently to reduce friction and help prevent corrosion.
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