The strength, quality, and integrity of wire rope define the level of safety for any lift at all construction sites. Each lift is only as safe as the wire rope being used on the crane. Wire rope should be inspected prior to each shift for damage. There are many different types of wire rope used on cranes. The wire ropes used in on cranes will either be a standing wire rope (such as a pendant line) used mainly on lattice boom cranes, or running wire rope (runs over a sheave) used as hoist line or boom hoist reeving. For running wire ropes, there are dozens of types to choose from for the hoist line on a crane. However, out of the dozens of wire ropes available, similar characteristics for inspection and removal criteria are shared by all.
The most common wire rope used on cranes is right regular lay, which usually has a safety factor of 3.5 and must be removed from service when there are 6 broken wires in one rope lay or 3 broken wires in one strand of one lay. Left lay and lang lay share similar criteria for removal from service. Rotation resistant wire rope has different criteria for removal from service. Rotation resistant wire rope is removed when there are 2 broken wires in 6 rope diameters or 4 broken wires in 30 rope diameters. Rotation resistant has a safety factor of 5. Special attention should also be given to any reduction in rope diameter, such as kinking, bird caging, or crushing with rotation resistant. Find stainless steel cable, galvanized cable, and wire rope providers at Cranehunter.com
