Figure 6-52. - Trough method of lubricating wire rope.

CAUTION

Avoid prolonged skin contact with oils and lubricants. Consult the Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on each item before use for precautions and hazards. See your supervisor for copies of MSDSs.

As a safety precaution, always wipe off any excess oil when lubricating wire rope especially with hoisting equipment. Too much lubricant can get into brakes or clutches and cause them to fail. While in use, the motion of machinery may sling excess oil around over cranes cabs and onto catwalks making them unsafe.

NOTE

Properly dispose of wiping rags and used or excess lubricants as hazardous waste. See your supervisor for details on local disposal requirements.

Wire Rope Attachments

Attachments are fitted to the ends of wire rope, so the rope can be connected to other wire ropes, pad eyes, or equipment. The common attachments used are the wedge socket, the speltered socket, wire rope clips, the thimble, swaged connections, and hooks and shackles.

WEDGE SOCKET. - The attachment used most often to attach dead ends of wire ropes to pad eyes or like fittings on cranes and earthmoving equipment is the wedge socket (fig. 6-53). The socket is applied to the bitter end of the wire rope.

Figure 6-53. - Wedge socket.

NOTE

The wedge socket develops only 70 percent 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 6-54. Speltering should be done by qualified personnel.

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

NOTE

Spelter sockets develop 100 percent 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 6-55. 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

Figure 6-54. - Speltering a socket.