SELECTION, USE & CARE OF ROPE

Which type of Rope will serve you best?

In your selection of the best rope to serve your needs, knowledge of the various types of rope available to meet different conditions is important. In determining the rope best suited for your requirements, the following factors are of special importance:

Know your rope requirements.

The correct size is important. Using undersized rope causes undue strain on the rope. Proper selection of the right rope size is the greatest factor in getting full use and long life from your rope. In addition to size, other factors such as type of lay and special fiber treatment (for Manila ropes) will determine the selection of rope. Most industries making regular use of rope have selected certain types as best suited to perform specific jobs. In some cases, special purpose ropes have been developed to meet particular needs. Generally, the proper size and type of rope can be specified from your past experience and the recommendations of your supplier.

Manco can makes 3- Strand, 4- Strand, or 8- Strand Plaited Ropes.

• 3-Strand ropes are preferred on most applications because of its flexibility, knotability, and ease in handling. They come in an easy-to- splice medium lay, however can be ordered to conform to specific lay requirements either softer or harder.

• 4-Strand ropes have a slightly firmer lay and provides a rounder rope with more outside surface and more traction on sheaves and objects to be turned or gripped. It is available in various core constructions depending on the rope's application. 4-Strand Manila ropes are approximately 7% heavier than 3- Strand and have a breaking strength approximately 5% less.

• 8-Strand plaited ropes have four left-hand laid strands and four right-hand laid strands, paired off parallel and woven together. Used mostly for marine applications, its neutral (or balanced) construction provides excellent hockling resistance. It is available in 5" to 15" circumference (or 1-5/8" to 5" diameter).

PACKAGING

The standard package(s) are coils of 600-, 720-, and 1,200- feet wrapped in polycloth and lashed. Coils can be boxed in 25-, 50-, and 100- Pound cartons (for ropes 2-1/4 inch circumference and smaller). Ropes are also available in Coilettes of 50 feet and 100 feet, for 1-1/2 inch circumference and smaller. Non-standard lengths may be produced on order. The maximum length of a coil will depend on the size requested for.

TREATMENT(S)

All Natural Fiber (Manila) Ropes are lubricated with a water repellent treatment that resists moisture, mildew, and rot. The lubrication also guards against internal chaffing and wear. Upon request, ropes may be treated with Copper Quinolinolate, Copper Napthanate, Tar, Graphite impregnated, or Tallow treated. These treatments are generally for the added protection of fibers against rot and mildew.

Proper Use of Rope

INSPECTION. New rope should be thoroughly inspected throughout its entire length before it is placed in service to determine that no part of it is damaged or defective. After it is placed in service, rope should be inspected at least every thirty days under ordinary circumstances; more often if it is used to support scaffolding or other supports upon which men work. If it is exposed to acids or caustics, it should be inspected daily. Inspection should include examination of the entire length of rope for wear, abrasion, broken or cut fibers, displacement of yarns or strands, discoloration or rotting. To inspect the inner fibers, the rope should be untwisted in several places to make sure the inside yarns are bright, clear and unspotted. The specification tables show breaking strengths and safe working loads. Rope loaded to over 75% of its breaking strength will be permanently injured. Damage from this cause may be detected by examining the inside threads which will be broken to an extent governed by the amount of the overload. Such damage may also be determined by the reduced diameter of the weakened section of the rope. Care should be taken to prevent kinking a rope. Even a moderate strain may over-stress the fibers at the point of the bend, producing a serious defect and one that may be difficult to locate.

CARE OF ROPE. If rope becomes muddy or dirty, it may be washed with cold water and moderate hose pressure, but never with seam. Any grit or dirt that remains may be shaken out after the rope has dried. The use of wet rope or rope reinforced with metallic strands is dangerous near power lines and other electrical equipment. A wet rope should never be left where it may freeze. With proper care, lubrication other than that in the new rope is unnecessary. Sharp bending of the rope around objects too small for the rope, or over sharp corers should be avoided because these cause extreme tension or abrasion on the fibers/filaments. Be sure the bend is sufficient for the rope size; sharp corners or rough surfaces should be padded.

EASIER HOISTING WITH LESS EFFORT NEEDED. Tackle lifts extra weight, but use the proper sheave size. Blocks and tackle reduce the power needed to hoist or pull a given load. The mechanical advantage to be gained will vary with the number of sheaves employed in tackle combinations. The illustrations and data represent standard practice in the use of block and tackle. The selection of correct rope size for specific applications is an important consideration for maximum efficiency and dependability.

ROPE SLINGS. Small angles increase rope stress. Allow for sling angles. The breaking strength of rope is based on direct pull along a single length of rope. When slings, using two or more legs to carry the load, are properly employed, the rope's safe working load is substantially increased. However, as illustrated below, the load factor on each leg of the sling is greatly increase as the sling angle becomes smaller. Therefore, the use of slings requires certain precautions as well as a knowledge of safe working loads permissible. For best results, sling angles should never be more than 90 degrees - rarely less than 45 degrees.

SPLICE ROPE FOR PERMANENCE. A splice is stronger than a knot. The strongest way to join two ropes, or to make a sling or endless rope, is to splice it correctly. Even the most efficient knots will reduce rope strength to as much as 50%, while a carefully made splice may have up to 95% of the strength of the rope being spliced. A short splice gives the strongest coupling however, it doubles the rope size and is not suitable where rope must run through pulleys or sheaves on a block. For such purposes, a long splice, with up to 90% strength efficiency, is used.

Don't weaken your rope. Follow these rules for good care

ROPE CARE & SAFETY

Although we believe that the information supplied is generally correct, we do not assume any responsibility whatsoever for its accuracy. The data and information contained in the electronic catalog are intended for use by persons possessing technical skill and knowledge. Conditions of use of the items listed in the electronic catalog are beyond our knowledge or control and consequently we assume no liability whatsoever for results obtained or loss or damage incurred as a result of application of the data or information presented. Users of the electronic catalog do so at their own risk. In addition, we assume no liability and make no warranty with respect to claims of patent, trademark or copyright infringement or other similar claims which may arise out of or in connection with the use of any data, information or items listed in this electronic catalog.

MANILA CORDAGE CO. EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MANILA CORDAGE CO. BE LIABLE FOR ANY INJURY, EXPENSES, PROFITS, LOSS OR DAMAGE, DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL, OR ANY OTHER PECUNIARY LOSS ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE ANY PRODUCT DESCRIBED IN THE ELECTRONIC CATALOG.