Wire Rope Replacement, Installation and Re-Roping
LB Wire Ropes provides specialist re-roping services for cranes, winches, drilling and piling rigs and other industrial equipment, including the removal and replacement of wire ropes, rope selection, cropping and termination.
Based in Western Sydney, our team supports customers with specialist wire rope replacement and installation, both from our workshop and on-site where the equipment and work requirements allow.
With decades of experience in wire rope, LB Wire Ropes can assist with both the supply of the replacement rope and the technical requirements associated with its installation.
Crane, Drilling & Piling Rig Re-Roping
Wire ropes used on cranes, drilling rigs and piling equipment can be subject to repeated bending, loading, abrasion and crushing throughout their service life. Selecting the correct replacement rope is important for equipment operation, rope performance and service life.
LB Wire Ropes provides wire rope supply and re-roping services for cranes, drilling rigs, piling rigs and other heavy equipment using wire rope operating systems.
Applications include:
- mobile cranes;
- pick-and-carry cranes;
- truck-mounted cranes;
- drilling and piling rigs;
- main and auxiliary winch ropes;
- hoist ropes;
- wireline ropes;
- crowd, pull-down and other rig operating ropes;
- other specialised crane and rig wire rope systems.
Wire rope requirements vary considerably between equipment types and operating systems. Our team can assist with identifying the existing rope specification, reviewing the application, selecting an appropriate replacement and carrying out re-roping work where applicable.
Winch Re-Roping
LB Wire Ropes supplies and installs replacement wire ropes for a broad range of winching applications.
These include:
- tilt trays;
- tow trucks and vehicle recovery equipment;
- telehandler winches and winch attachments;
- industrial winches;
- lifting and pulling winches;
- equipment and machinery winches;
- specialised wire rope systems.
Replacement ropes can be supplied to suit the equipment and operating requirements, including the required rope construction, diameter, grade, finish and end termination.
Selecting the Correct Replacement Wire Rope
Replacing a wire rope is not always as simple as matching its diameter.
Different wire rope constructions have different characteristics affecting flexibility, resistance to crushing and abrasion, bending fatigue, rotation and overall service life.
Factors that may need to be considered include:
- equipment manufacturer requirements;
- rope diameter and construction;
- rope grade;
- fibre or steel core;
- ordinary or Lang’s lay;
- direction of lay;
- galvanised or ungalvanised finish;
- drum and sheave dimensions;
- reeving arrangement;
- operating loads and duty cycle;
- bending fatigue;
- resistance to crushing and abrasion;
- rotation characteristics;
- required end terminations.
Where the original rope specification is known, LB Wire Ropes can assist with sourcing a suitable replacement. Where the existing specification is unavailable or an alternative rope is being considered, our technical team can review the application and available rope options.
Wire Rope Removal and Installation
Re-roping may involve more than simply removing one rope and installing another.
Depending on the equipment and application, the work may include:
- removal of the existing wire rope;
- preparation of the replacement rope;
- transferring or installing the new rope through the reeving system;
- cropping the rope to the required length;
- preparation and installation of end terminations;
- checking rope orientation and direction of lay;
- ensuring the replacement rope is correctly installed through the applicable reeving system and positioned on the drum and sheaves;
- final checks of the wire rope installation.
The scope of work is determined by the equipment, rope system and site requirements.
Wire Rope Cropping and Termination
LB Wire Ropes can crop and terminate wire ropes as part of the re-roping process.
Depending on the rope and equipment, termination requirements may include sockets, wedges, swaged fittings, spliced eyes or other equipment-specific terminations.
The termination method must be appropriate for the rope construction, equipment and intended application.
Drums, Sheaves and Rope System Maintenance
The condition of drums, sheaves and other components within a wire rope system can have a significant effect on wire rope performance and service life.
Damaged or worn sheave grooves, drums, rope guides and rollers can contribute to accelerated wear, crushing, abrasion and premature deterioration of a replacement wire rope.
These components should form part of the equipment owner’s regular inspection and maintenance program in accordance with the equipment manufacturer’s requirements and applicable maintenance practices.
LB Wire Ropes’ re-roping service is focused on wire rope replacement and associated installation requirements and does not replace the inspection or maintenance of the crane, winch, drilling or piling rig, or associated equipment.
When Should a Wire Rope Be Replaced?
Wire ropes should be inspected regularly and removed from service when they reach applicable discard criteria or are no longer suitable for continued operation.
Conditions that may require further assessment or replacement include:
- broken wires;
- significant corrosion;
- abrasion or loss of metallic area;
- reduction in rope diameter;
- crushing or flattening;
- kinks or permanent deformation;
- birdcaging;
- heat damage;
- damaged or deteriorated terminations;
- localised wear;
- changes in rope structure or lay;
- other damage affecting continued operation.
Replacement decisions should be based on the rope condition, equipment requirements, applicable inspection criteria and operating environment.
Replacement Wire Rope Supply
LB Wire Ropes has access to a broad range of general-purpose and specialist wire ropes for crane, drilling, piling, winch and industrial applications.
Depending on the application, replacement ropes may include:
- general-purpose wire ropes;
- rotation-resistant and low-rotation ropes;
- compacted wire ropes;
- plastic-impregnated or plasticated ropes;
- galvanised wire ropes;
- specialist crane ropes;
- drilling and piling rig ropes;
- winch ropes;
- application-specific wire rope constructions.
Our technical team can assist in matching the rope characteristics to the equipment and operating requirements.
On-Site Re-Roping Services
Re-roping can be undertaken on-site where the equipment, location and work requirements allow.
Before attending site, we may require information including:
- equipment make and model;
- existing wire rope specification;
- rope diameter and length;
- photographs of the drum, reeving system and terminations;
- required replacement rope;
- equipment location and accessibility;
- site induction or access requirements;
- any relevant work-at-height or other site requirements.
Providing this information in advance helps us determine the appropriate rope, equipment and personnel for the work.
Why Choose LB Wire Ropes?
LB Wire Ropes has supplied wire rope and lifting equipment to Australian industry since 1962 and is a Full Member of the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA).
Our re-roping capability combines:
- extensive wire rope product knowledge;
- access to general-purpose and specialist wire rope constructions;
- technical assistance with replacement rope selection;
- experienced rigging personnel;
- wire rope cropping and termination capability;
- hand and machine splicing capability;
- custom wire rope assembly manufacturing;
- on-site service capability;
- inspection and testing services;
- Western Sydney workshop and manufacturing facility.
Rather than treating the replacement rope and its installation as separate requirements, LB Wire Ropes can assist with the complete process from rope selection and supply through to installation and termination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can LB Wire Ropes replace the wire rope on my crane?
Yes. LB Wire Ropes provides re-roping services for a range of cranes and wire rope systems. We will normally require details of the crane, existing rope specification and installation before confirming the appropriate replacement rope and scope of work.
Do you re-rope pick-and-carry cranes?
Yes. LB Wire Ropes supplies wire rope for pick-and-carry cranes and can provide re-roping services subject to the crane model, rope specification and work requirements.
Do you supply replacement wire ropes for drilling and piling rigs?
Yes. LB Wire Ropes supplies replacement wire ropes for drilling and piling equipment, including winch, hoist, wireline and other rig operating ropes. Rope requirements vary by equipment and application, so equipment details and the existing rope specification should be provided where available.
Can you replace the winch rope on a tilt tray or tow truck?
Yes. LB Wire Ropes supplies and installs replacement wire ropes for tilt trays, tow trucks and other vehicle recovery and winching equipment.
Do you supply replacement winch ropes for telehandlers?
Yes. LB Wire Ropes supplies replacement wire ropes for telehandler winches and winch attachments. Rope selection is based on the equipment and winch requirements, including rope construction, diameter, length and termination.
Can you identify a replacement if I don’t know the wire rope specification?
In many cases we can assist. Equipment details, rope measurements, photographs, existing documentation and information about the application can help identify the original rope or determine suitable replacement options.
A replacement wire rope should not be selected solely by matching rope diameter.
Can you supply the rope as well as install it?
Yes. LB Wire Ropes supplies a broad range of wire ropes and can combine rope supply with cropping, termination and installation where applicable.
Do you provide re-roping services on-site?
Yes, where the equipment, location and work requirements are suitable. Site access, equipment details and any induction or safety requirements should be discussed when arranging the work.
Can you inspect the existing wire rope?
Yes. LB Wire Ropes provides wire rope inspection services and can assess the condition of an existing rope against applicable inspection and discard criteria.
Arrange a Crane or Winch Re-Roping
Need a replacement wire rope or assistance re-roping a crane, drilling or piling rig, tilt tray, tow truck or industrial winch?