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Wire Rope Care & Maintenance

Measuring Wire Rope

When measuring wire rope it is important to note that the actual diameter of the wire is taken across its outermost points. Figure 1 shows the correct measurement, with the dimension taken about the crowns of the wire strands.
Figure 2 shows the rope measured incorrectly, across the flats, giving an undersized dimension.

Figure 1 – Correct Method        Figure 2 – Incorrect Method

Uncoiling Wire Rope

When uncoiling rope care must be taken not to allow kinks within the length. Therefore, if removing from a coil the operator must never pull the rope end whilst the coil is lying flat on the ground. This will inevitably induce torsion wraps into the wire, which when pulled taught will produce irreparable kinks.
The correct methods for uncoiling wire ropes are shown below.

Rope Lubrication

Most wire ropes are lubricated at the time of manufacture. The lubricant has two important functions. It reduces friction between the wires within each strand, and the strands within the rope, thus aiding the movement of the rope during its running life, and secondly it provides assistance in protection against corrosion, which can cause loss of rope strength.
To maintain the positive characteristics of the base lubrication, wire ropes should be re lubricated regularly.