Wood’s Powr-Grip LL185 - Manual (Page 12)

Rev 2.0/6-09 10 LW185: #35040
W
IRE
R
OPE
M
AINTENANCE
All wire ropes wear out eventually, gradually losing work capability throughout their service life.
That's why regular inspections and maintenance are critical, especially as the rope approaches
the end of its useful life. Referring to ASME B30.6-2003, the following guidelines for rope
maintenance apply:
Daily Inspection of Wire Rope
All wire rope in service should be visually inspected once each day it is in use. A visual inspection
includes examining the full length of all wire rope that can be expected to be used during the
day’s operations. Wire rope should be replaced immediately upon finding any of the following
forms of obvious visual damage:
• Kinking, crushing, unstranding, birdcaging, main strand displacement or core protrusion.
• Rust or other corrosion.
• Any broken or cut strands.
If there is any concern that the rope could be too worn or unsafe for any reason, a more
thorough Periodic Inspection should be performed.
Periodic Inspection of Wire Rope
Periodic Inspections of the wire rope must be performed by an appointed, competent person.
Each inspection must consider the entire length of rope and be thorough enough that individual
wires in the strands are visible to this person during the inspection. Special care should
especially be taken to inspect the rope near the end connections or at common wear points. The
inspector must keep a written record of all Periodic Inspections. Any wear indicating a loss in
strength should be noted, and the inspector must judge whether further use of the rope
constitutes a hazard. Such wear may include, but is not limited to, the following:
• Damage outlined in the Daily Inspection.
• Reduction of rope diameter below nominal (5/32" [4 mm]) from loss of core support, internal or
external corrosion, or wear of the outside wires.
• Severely corroded or broken wires at the end connections.
• Severely corroded, cracked, bent, worn or improperly applied end connections.
Wire Rope Replacement
Numerous factors are involved in determining when the wire rope should be replaced. Once a
rope exhibits any of the following criteria, it should be removed from service and replaced with
another suitably rated rope:
• Broken or cut strands/wires.
• Wear of 1/3 the original diameter of the outside individual wires.
• Kinking, crushing, birdcaging, main strand displacement or core protrusion.
• Evidence of heat damage from any cause.
• Reduction from nominal diameter 5/32" [4 mm] of more than 1/64" [0.4 mm].