Vestil CC-30-MC - Manual (Page 16)

15 Help Line: 800-363-2488 October 15
th
, 2001
THE CABLE ASSEMBLY (continued)
CAUTION!
Certain factors can be abusive and lessen the load that the cable assembly (and by extension, the
chute section) can withstand. Some examples are:
• twisting of the cable assembly
• disfigurement, deterioration by straining, usage, weathering, heat, and corrosion
• rapid application of load or jerking
• the application of excessive loads
Keep corrosive substances away from the cable assemblies, and do not weld near the chute
system.
Some types of damage may not be visible to the eye. Consider the following example:
Incident:
A blockage occurred in a tall chute. The blockage went unnoticed and workers
continued to introduce debris into the chute. The installers had calculated the
weight of the unblocked chute to be 1500 lb. (680 kg).
Debris continued to accumulate in the chute until the blockage was finally
discovered by the inattentive safety monitor. A crane was called in and the
entire chute was lowered to the ground. The crane’s load indicator showed the
total weight of the chute and blocked debris to be 15,000 lb. (6800 kg).
Upon inspection of the cable assemblies, no obvious signs of strain were noted.
The chute sections were equipped with cable assembly pairs having a combined
working load limit of 2000 lb. (900 kg). The breaking strain of the cable
assembly pairs is 20,000 lb. (9000 kg).
Action:
Although the cable assemblies showed no obvious sign of strain, the working
load limits were greatly exceeded. All the cable assemblies should be replaced.
Conclusion: If, during the course of your job, the working load limits of the cable assemblies
are accidentally exceeded, consult a structural engineer and the Superchute ®
factory to determine whether the chute sections in that system must be refitted
with new cable assemblies.
WARNING
!