When was the last time you checked your lift's cables? If you answered "today," good for you! Cables are one of the things you should check before using your lift every day. In this article, we'll explore how to maintain your lift cables or "wire ropes," how to look for damage and when to replace a cable. The better you take care of your cables, the longer they'll last. One of the best things you can do is keep your cables lubricated with 85W90 gear oil or ALMASOL® Wire Rope Lubricant. These lubricants get deep into the fibers to protect against wear and damage. Lubricate your cables every three months. Start by relaxing the rope to a stationary position and moving the pick-up points off the sheaves. Clean the surface of the rope with a cloth or wire brush so you can see any breaks.Flex the cable to expose any broken wires hidden in the valleys between the strands. One way to check for crown breaks is to run a cloth along the rope to check for snags.Use an awl to probe between wires and strands. Lift any wires that appear loose. Evidence of internal broken wires may require a more extensive rope examination.Other damage to look for includes abrasive wear, mechanical damage, rotational damage, heat damage and bending fatigue.
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