3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Kinking, crushing, bird caging, or any other
damage resulting in distortion of the wire rope
structure
Evidences of heat damage
End attachments that are cracked, deformed or
worn
Hooks that have an obviously abnormal
(usually 15 percent from the original
specification) throat opening, measured at the
narrowest point or twisted more than 10
degrees from the plane of the unbent hook
Corrosion of the wire rope sling or end
attachments
To avoid confusion and to eliminate doubt, you
must not downgrade slings to a lower rated capacity.
A sling must be removed from service if it cannot
safely lift the load capacity in which it is rated. Slings
and hooks removed from service must be destroyed
by cutting before disposal. This ensures inadvertent
use by another unit.
When a leg on a multiple-leg
bridle sling is unsafe, you only have to destroy the
damanged or unsafe leg(s).
Units that have the
capability may fabricate replacement legs in the field,
provided the wire rope replacement is in compliance
with specifications.
The NCF has a hydraulic
swaging and splicing kit in the Battalion Table of
Allowance. The kit, 80092, contains the tools and
equipment necessary to fabricate 3/8- through
5/8-inch sizes of wire rope slings. Before use, all
fabricatedd slings must be proof-tested, as outlined in
the COMSECOND/COMTHIRDNCBINST 11200.11
series.
Spreader bars, shackles, hooks, and so forth, must
also be visually inspected before each use for obvious
damage or deformation.
A visual inspection of all active slings and
rigging geat must be conducted by the crane crew
supervisor every 60 days. The inspections are noted
on the Proof Testing/Inspection Record Cards. Any
deterioration that could result in an appreciable loss of
the orginal strength of a sling or component justifies
it being removed immediately from service. After
passing inspection, a proof test must be conducted
before returning a sling to service.
Wire Rope Maintenance
Wire rope must be thoroughly claened at regular
intervals. A wire brush can be used to remove most of
the dirt and grit that may accumulate on the wire.
Rust should also be removed when the rope is
cleaned. After cleaning, you should allow the wire
rope to dry before it is lubricated.
The object of cleaning wire rope is to remove all
foreign material and old lubricant from the valleys
between the strands and the spaces and between the
outer wires to permit the lubricant to penetrate into
the rope.
Wire Rope Lubrication
Periodic lubrication of wire rope is essential to
prolong the life of a rope. Lubricants generally do not
last through the life of a rope; therefore, this requires
that the lubricant be renewed. A good grade of new
oil or grease (never use engine oil) can be used for this
purpose. It should be free of acids and alkalis and
should be light enough to penetrate between the wires
and strands of the rope and applied as uniformly as
possible throughout the length of the rope.
COMSECOND/COMTHIRDNCBINST recommends
the use of 70:30 ratio of new oil to diesel fuel for a
wire rope lubricant. Wire rope should be cleaned and
lubricated before storing.
Wire Rope Safe Operating Procedures
All personnel involved with the use of wire rope
slings should be thoroughly instructed and trained 10
comply with the following practices:
1. Wire rope slings must not be used with loads
that exceed the rated capacities outlined in enclosure
(2) of the COMSECOND/COMTHIRDNCBINST
11200.11 series. Slings not included in the enclosure
must be used only according to the manufacturers
recommendation.
2. Determine the weight of a load before
attempting any lift.
3. Select a sling with sufficient capacity rating.
4. Examine all hardware, equipment, tackle,
and slings before using them and destroy all defective
components.
5. Use the proper hitch.
6. Guide loads with a tag line when practical.
7. When using multiple-leg slings, select
longest sling practical to reduce the stress on
individual sling legs.
8. Attach the sling securely to the load.
the
the
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