What Types of Wire Rope Clamps Are There?

A wire rope is an extremely versatile mechanical device that can be used to help support and move objects or loads. Whether for cranes or other lifting applications, it is important to have a solid understanding of the rigging components used to connect and lift loads.

As a wire rope assembler or end user, it is necessary to know the types of wire rope end terminations, or treatments that can be used at the end of a length of wire rope - the most common of which are rope clamps.

Wire rope clips can be used to create a load-bearing eye on the end of a cable or wire rope or to connect two cables together with a lap joint. Wire rope clamps are popular because they can be installed in the field and provide 80-90% rope breaking strength efficiency, depending on the diameter of the wire rope.

Examples of situations where wire rope clips can be used include:

Wire rope termination on crane cable or winch.

Pass a length of wire rope through the eyebolt or shackle.

Peripheral cables for docks, parking lots, etc.

There are two main types of wire rope clamps - U-bolt and double saddle clamps. U-Bolt wire rope clamps are the most common and may be made of forged or malleable metal.

This type of wire rope clamp is essentially a U-bolt, two nuts, and a metal base (saddle), which can be made of forged steel or cast iron. Careful consideration and attention must be paid to the way in which the U-bolt type wire rope clamps are installed.

The base of the wire rope clamp is made of forged steel. Forged clips are heated and hammered into the desired shape, resulting in a consistent grain structure in the steel. Forged wire rope clamps are used for critical, heavy, overhead loads such as winch lines, crane hoist lines, support lines, pull lines, pull lines, tie downs, scaffolding, etc.

Malleable wire rope clamps are only used to make eye termination assemblies with properly conventionally laid wire ropes and are only suitable for light duty applications where small loads are applied, such as handrails, fences, and guard rails, etc. The base of the wire rope clamp is made from malleable cast iron, which can break under heavy use and does not have the ideal metallic properties of steel, or the beneficial grain structure that a forged base has.

The double saddle wire rope clamp consists of two saddles, each with a leg and two nuts - one for use on the top and one for the bottom. Double saddle rope clamps can be used in either direction, so they take the guesswork out of installation when applied to the live and dead ends of a single rope.

The above briefly introduces the types of wire rope clips. If you want to know more or want to buy wire rope clips, please contact us.

Terada is a professional custom wire ropes and accessories manufacturer. We treat our customers as part of the team and support them as partners. For non-standard hardware. We listen carefully to customers' requirements and provide some professional advice and technical support. Follow the new designs to make the most suitable hardware for your project.