Fibre ropes for riggers

There are many tasks involved for a rigger that use fibre rope to help tie objects together or on a pulley system.
Fibre ropes can be used for many purposes including tying an object together securely without causing too much pressure on an object.
These types of rope can also be securely weave through or tied onto a crane or pulley system as a part of the mechanism to lift heavy objects from one area to another.

What types of fibre ropes can a rigger use to perform their tasks?

• Double Braid Polyester
• Ice Blue
• Nylon
• Polyethylene
• Superdan
• Superflex
• Supermax plus
• Supermax

Depending on the type of task being performed by a rigger, a fibre rope is the better option over a wire rope for many factors including:

• Flexibility – Fibres are more flexible to bend or wrap around object better than wire ropes for certain objects.
• Strength – a fibre rope can be strong as it is tightly bound together using multiple fibre strands to increase its strength
• Sizes – the length of some wire ropes may not be long enough to suit the task, therefore require a fibre rope that may be longer in size.
• Weight options – the lightweight material would be ideal if you don’t want to add weight to the object your carrying but can be still securely hold the object.
• Compact – with the fine fibres it can be wound up tight and be easier to store in confined spaces

Rigging Supply Essentials

Its an important part of a job role to ensure you have the correct supplies in order to be able to perform the required tasks to the best of your ability.

It is also really important to be quite familiar in the operating of these supplies.

Depending on the task you are doing there are certain supplies appropriate for that particular task.

Lets look at what supplies a rigger could use:

Ropes – whether your are using wire or fibre ropes, this is no easy task. As you need to ensure you have the right length, thickness, strength and sturdiness to be able to hold or be attached to an object, and have the ability to withstand the weighted object without breakage.

Shackles – these type of supplies come in various shapes and sizes to suit your needs. Selecting which one would be most suitable for your task may require a little knowledge into the better option. Shackle styles include bow, d ring, ratchet, green pin sling, wide mouth, screw, heavy duty and many more.

Safety Harness - this type of equipment is required of a rigger, who may need to perform maintenance at a great height, and needs to be safely secured to an area.

Rigging supplies come in various sizes, shapes and designs to suit all jobs. In order to keep your workers safe, and securely move objects around with ease, its best to keep up to date on your supplies. There may be newly released products that can help perform jobs quicker or simpler, so continue to check your local stockists for any improvements to your rigging supplies.

Forklift & Crane Accessories

Modern construction hardware is extremely versatile. There are many "add-on" products that can see large lifting equipment be used for different purposes, in situations that they wouldn't normally be subjected to.

Forklift add-ons 

A forklift jib (image from nobles.com.au)

So you think a forklift is only useful for moving around pallets of goods? Think again. These accessories can add a new lease of life to a forklift and allow it to be used for more purposes in the workplace.

Forklift Jib - This can turn your regular forklift into a mini-crane. How does this help? Think of one of those situations where you needed to lift something from above due to structural objects placed around it. The jib simply locks on to the forks allowing you to secure the load from above and raise the forklift to lift out the heavy object.
Drum lifting clamps - Got drums with chemicals or hazardous materials within? These can be essential to keeping the drums upright and avoiding a costly and/or dangerous spill.
Work boxes - Allows your workers to work from a specially designed cage box that can be moved around by the forklift driver. This allows the workers to handle small objects, but in high up storage areas.

Crane add-ons 

A container spreader (image from nobles.com.au)

Spreader & Lifting beams - These can be utilized to lift large items and containers, keeping them balanced and upright.
Goods cages - similar to work boxes, these cages allow smaller objects to be loaded in the goods cages and be transported by crane. This could be utilized by fruit  pickers if the orchards are hard to access by other heavy duty movers.

The History and Uses of Wire Rope

Wire rope has been used for over a hundred years in the mining industry.  The first wire rope was invented by a German engineer and was found to be much better than hemp rope or chain.  This early wire rope was made of three larger strands woven together, each of which contained four individual wires.  In the nineteenth century, wire rope was used in a variety of industries, including cable cars and lines for mine shafts.  Wire rope suppliers included John A. Roebling, who became famous for successfully building suspension bridges.

Today, wire rope is made from steel wires woven together in a particular fashion, either forming stranded rope or spiral rope.  Usually, the wires are made of carbon steel.  Wire rope suppliers classify ropes according to the different uses that they fulfill.  Running ropes are generally stranded, and are bent over different structures to support weight.  Most of the stress placed on them is bending stress, rather than tensile stress.  Stationary ropes are usually spiral wound, and mainly operate under tension. Track ropes are used, as the name would suggest, as tracks for pulleys and rollers.  Lastly, wire rope slings can be used to harness down or lift goods in various fashions.  Like running ropes, they are mostly under bending stress when bending around the edges of objects.  It is important to know exactly what conditions your wire rope needs to fulfill before purchasing rope for any project.

Looking for a Melbourne wire rope supplier? A. Noble & Son has been servicing the industry for years with high quality lifting and hoisting equipment.

Do’s and don’ts while using lifting beams

A lifting beam in action

Lifting beams include various loose and removable items of lifting gear. While using lifting beams and its accessories make sure not to use defective or distorted beams or attachments. There are various types of lifting beams and each type serves a particular purpose. In no case shall one try to use a beam for the purpose it is not meant for without consulting the manufacturer.

While calculating the total load which will be imposed on the crane hook, the weight of the beam and its attachments must be added to the weight of the load.  Make certain that the SWL on the individual lift points remain within the limits and be sure to take extra care where these are adjustable.

The load should be stable so that the beam remains at its intended attitude during use. Take extra care while lifting and setting down the load as at these points the risk of instability and overload is maximum.

Lifting beams require minimal maintenance but there are certainly some things to take care of. Make sure the bolted joints are in good shape and corrosion damage is prevented. Regularly inspection of lifting beams is very important in order to prevent any accident.

Maintenance of different types of lifting slings

In order to maintain safety while operating with lifting slings it is very essential that are maintained as per the instruction provided by the manufacturer. Properly maintained lifting slings will allow the people at the work place to feel more secure and will increase the life of the sling as well.  

Chain 

 

Chain lifting slings are mostly used for heavy load and a slight mistake in maintaining them properly can cause disaster. Prior to every inspection chain lifting slings must be cleaned properly in order to make any possible damages visible. The length of the chain sling should be checked every now and then to make sure that the sling is not stretching beyond the limits.  

 

Wire Rope

 

Like chain lifting sling, wire rope slings must be cleaned prior to each inspection. Wire rope lifting sling should be lubricated regularly according to manufacturer's instructions. Periodic inspection for corrosion should be done by the operator. In case any indication of corrosion is found, operator must follow the recommendations provided by the manufacturer.

 

Fiber Ropes and Synthetic Webs

 

Fiber ropes and synthetic webs are generally not serviced or repaired but discarded straightaway once any damage occurs. Operators must follow manufacturer's recommendations.

Snatch block warnings

As we already know that snatch blocks are an essential component of the recovery kit for off roadsters. However, if operated in a wrong manner, these tools can do some serious damages. Here are some points, which will provide you a brief insight on the handling of snatch blocks.

To avoid serious properly damage, injury or death, a person must follow these precautionary measures:

1. Always rig snatch block systems in such a manner so that the load will not fall or slip.
2. Make sure that the lifting system is designed with appropriate sheave assembly material. This will prevent premature sheave, wire rope or bearing failure.
3. If you are not good with rigging, hire a qualified professional to rig the snatch block system.
4. Make sure the workers are keeping their hands and body away from the swivels, block sheaves and pinch points”, especially where wire rope makes contact with the load or block parts.
5. Avoid side loading snatch blocks – as it can exerts additional force.
6. Make sure the workers are alert all the time and have put on appropriate safety gear.
7. It is essential that the hook supports the load instead of the latch.