Properly Handling Steel Wire Ropes

Wire RopeIf a wire rope is damaged, it is possible for the cable to malfunction and do harm to people and materials. As a means of staying safe, wire rope must be handled carefully and in specific ways. Below, we will discuss some of the biggest issues users face when receiving and using wire ropes.

When receiving and moving cables that are on a coil or reel, you must avoid all contact between the wire and metal (metal lifting hooks or forks of a fork lift). Contact can cause problems that are not immediately seen.  If possible, lift items with a sufficiently broad textile-webbing sling. Another option for lifting is by putting a shaft through the reel and lifting with a forklift.

Before using the rope, it will most likely be stored for safekeeping. Wire ropes should be stored indoors in areas that are dry, cold, and clean. They should also not be left directly on the floor (place them on wood pallets). If outdoor storage is the only option, make sure that ropes are fully covered to prevent moisture, dirt, and corrosion.

How to unwind the steel wire ropes all depends on if the cable is stored on a coil or a reel. Steel wire on coils must be unwound on a turntable or by being rolled on the ground like a tire. Wire rope from a reel must be unwound on an unreeling stand. A less common, but acceptable, way to unwind from a reel is by mounting the reel on a shaft that is sustained by two separate jacks.

Wire Rope

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