Bishop Lifting: We Are Wire Rope Experts!

Whether you're an industry professional, a DIY enthusiast, or completely new to wire rope, Bishop Lifting aims to be your supplier. The below guide will help you understand what wire rope is, its various types and constructions, and how it is used in rigging applications.

Section 1: What is Wire Rope?

What is Wire Rope?

Wire rope, often called cable, is a sturdy, flexible, and enduring construction of steel wires that are formed and twisted together. It comes in a variety of sizes and is designed to handle both light-duty and heavy-duty applications.

Types of Wire Rope

Wire ropes come in various types: regular steel vs. stainless steel, plain (bright) vs. galvanized finishes, steel core vs. fiber or poly core, swaged or compacted vs. regular “round rope”, etc. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for selecting the right wire rope for your rigging needs.

Section 2: Wire Rope Construction

Materials Used

Wire rope is generally made from either steel or stainless steel. For non-stainless steel wire rope, there are generally two types of steel used today: IPS and EIPS, which stand for Improved Plow Steel or Extra Improved Plow Steel, with EIPS being stronger than IPS. There is even an EEIPS grade, but that is less common. For stainless steel, the two primary grades are 304 (less corrosion resistant) and 316 (more corrosion resistant).

Core Types

The core of a wire rope plays a vital role in its strength and flexibility. Most wire rope we offer will be labeled as IWRC which stands for Independent Wire Rope Core. Wire rope can also be had with fiber or poly cores, although they are less prevalent with lower overall demand.

Lay and Construction

Wire ropes come in various lay types, such as regular lay and lang lay, each with its unique characteristics. Unless your application calls for a particular lay of wire rope (such as on certain drill rigs and cranes) then RRL (Right Regular Lay) will likely suit you fine. The wire rope you find on our site is all RRL unless otherwise stipulated.

Section 3: Rigging Applications

Lifting and Hoisting

Wire rope is the backbone of most lifting and hoisting operations. Even when synthetic slings or chain slings are used, they are often suspended off a crane that is utilizing wire rope. Additionally, we make many different types of Wire Rope Slings, meaning you could be using wire rope both above the hook and below the hook.

Towing and Off-Road Recovery

In off-road and towing scenarios, wire rope is relied upon for its strength and durability. Although we have seen an increase in synthetic winch lines and straps, most tow trucks and recovery vehicles are still running wire rope on their winches. Consumers, such as those with a winch on their Jeep, are often using galvanized wire rope with a 7x19 construction in either 5/16” or 3/8” diameters. Professional users with larger winches are typically using a 6x19 or 6x36 class wire rope in larger diameters.

Maritime and Nautical Rigging

Wire ropes are essential in the maritime industry for various purposes, including anchoring, mooring, and lifting heavy cargo. Stainless Wire Rope is often the choice for these environments as the potential for corrosion is much higher than other applications.

Logging

We have a large base of professional logging customers that operate primarily out of the Pacific Northwest. These customers rely heavily on wire rope, and in particular, Swaged Wire Rope. This specific type of wire rope is compacted, meaning it has a great linear density (weighs more per foot) than regular wire rope. It also has a smoother finish that is tougher and more resistant to abrasion, as the outer exposed wires are not as easily damaged. But it's not for everybody, as swaged wire rope is notoriously stiff compared to regular wire rope.

Section 4: Wire Rope Maintenance and Safety

Inspection and Maintenance

Proper maintenance is crucial for the longevity and safety of wire rope. You should consistently check for broken wires, deformed strands, rust and other signs of wear or abuse. Using a proper wire rope lubricant (such as Crosby's Vitalife) that penetrates into the strands and lubricates the core will help to extend the service life of your wire rope.

Related Products

Wire rope is incredibly useful, but to maximize its potential, one often needs additional rigging components such as wire rope clips, thimbles, swage fittings, sockets and other similar products. At Bishop Lifting, we have you covered with a robust selection of Wire Rope Fittings to help you create the ideal setup.

Safety Precautions

Rigging with wire rope involves inherent risks. Follow applicable industry standards, best practices and safety protocols, and Get Training so that you and your rigging crew and approach each job with competence and confidence.

Wire rope has an indispensable role in the rigging world. Before you make a purchase, consider the above information and factor in things like the proper wire rope type, finish, construction and diameter for your project. Whether you’re managing a complex job at a high-level construction site, or simply looking to replace a winch line, the experts at Bishop Lifting can help you make the right choice. If you have questions or need assistance with your wire rope rigging needs, feel free to contact us.