WIRE ROPE ATTACHMENTS

Many attachments can be fitted to the ends of wire rope, so the rope can be connected to other wire ropes, pad eyes, or equipment.

Wedge Socket

The attachment used most often to attach dead ends of wire ropes to pad eyes or like fittings on cranes and

Figure 13-21.-Wedge socket.

earthmoving equipment is the wedge socket, as shown in figure 13-21. The socket is applied to the bitter end of the wire rope.

NOTE: The wedge socket develops only 70% of the breaking strength of the wire rope due to the crushing action of the wedge.

Speltered Socket

Speltering is the best way to attach a closed or open _{socket in the field.} "Speltering" means to attach the socket to the wire rope by pouring hot zinc around it, as shown in figure 13-22. Speltering should only be done by qualified personnel.

Forged steel speltered sockets are as strong as the wire rope itself; they are required on all cranes used to lift personnel, ammunition, acids, and other dangerous materials.

NOTE: Spelter sockets develop 100% of the breaking strength of the wire rope.

Wire Rope Clips

Wire rope clips are used to make eyes in wire rope, as shown in figure 13-23. The U-shaped part of the clip with the threaded ends is called the U-bolt; the other part is called the saddle. The saddle is stamped with the diameter of the wire rope that the clip will fit. Always place a clip with the U-bolt on the bitter (dead) end, not on the standing part of the wire rope. If clips are attached incorrectly, the standing part (live end) of the wire rope will be distorted or have mashed spots. A rule of thumb when attaching a wire rope clip is to NEVER saddle a dead horse.

Two simple formulas for figuring the number of wire rope clips needed are as follows:

3 x wire rope diameter + 1 = Number of clips

6 x wire rope diameter = Spacing between clips

Figure 13-22.-Speltering a socket.

Figure 13-23.-Wire rope clips.

Figure 13-24.-Twin-base wire rope clip.

Another type of wire rope clip is the twin-base clip, often referred to as the universal or two clamp, as shown in figure 13-24. Both parts of this clip are shaped to fit the wire rope, so the clip cannot be attached incorrectly. The twin-base clip allows for a clear 360-degree swing with the wrench when the nuts are being tightened.

Thimble

When an eye is made in a wire rope, a metal fitting, called a thimble, is usually placed in the eye, as shown in figure 13-23. The thimble protects the eye against wear. Wire rope eyes with thimbles and wire rope clips can hold approximately 80 percent of the wire rope strength.

After the eye made with clips has been strained, the nuts on the clips must be retightened. Checks should be made now and then for tightness or damage to the rope caused by the clips.

Swaged Connections

Swaging makes an efficient and permanent attachment for wire rope, as shown in figure 13-25. A swaged connection is made by compressing a steel sleeve over the rope by using a hydraulic press. When the connection is made correctly, it provides 100-percent capacity of the wire rope.

Careful inspection of the wires leading into these connections are important because of the pressure put upon the wires in this section. If one broken wire is found at the swaged connection or a crack in the swage, replace the fitting.