“When Lifting…
Think Of Wire Rope As A Machine…”

When lifting, think of wire rope as a “machine”. If you break wire rope down or take a section apart you will find that it’s made from many small thin wires pulled through a machine and twisted to form a rope.

Typically in a 6 x 25 construction wire rope Independent Wire Rope Core (IWRC) you have six individual strands made up of twenty-five small wires each strand. These six strands are formed around a steel core made up of small wires. The core moves independent of the outer strands, which must stay lubricated as well as the outer strands.

Wire rope will typically “run” over sheaves which doubles the working load capacity per sheave. The wire is “dead-ended” on a drum, then runs over sheaves and “dead-ends” to a hook or block that attaches to the load being lifted – which creates the mechanical advantage.

Wire rope may be used for lashing or creating a strong barrier. Some military bases use large diameter wire rope as a barrier.