TM5-3810-305-10
Seizing Wire Rope
While there are numerous ways to cut wire rope,
in every case certain precautions must be ob-
served. Proper seizings are always applied on
both sides of the place where the cut is to be
made, In a wire rope, carelessly or inadequately
seized, ends may become distorted and flattened,
and the strands may loosen. Subsequently, when
the rope is put to work, there may be an uneven
distribution of loads to the strands. This condi-
tion will significantly shorten the life of the rope.
There are two widely accepted methods of
applying seizing.
1.
2.
Figure 4-29. Seizing Wire Rope - Method A
Method A: Lay one end of the seizing wire in
the groove between two strands; wrap the
other end tightly in a close helix over a
position of the groove using a seizing iron (a
round bar 1/2 to 5/8 in. diameter by 18 in.
long) (Figure 4-29). Both ends of the seizing
wire should be twisted together tightly, and
with a finished appearance. Seizing widths
should not be less than the rope diameter.
Method B: The second of two accepted meth-
ods for placing seizing on wire rope is illus-
trated in Figure 4-30. The seizing itself
should be a soft or annealed wire or strand.
The seizing wire diameter and the length of
the seize will depend on the diameter of the
wire rope. But the length of the seizing
should never be less than the diameter of the
rope being seized. For preformed ropes, one
seizing on each side of the cut is normally
sufficient. But for those that are not pre-
formed, a minimum of two seizings is recom-
mended (Figure 4-3 1). Seizings should be
spaced six rope diameters apart.
Figure 4-30. Seizing Wire Rope - Method A
NONPREFORMED
BEFORE CUTTING
AFTER CUTTING
PREFORMED
AFTER CUTTING
Figure 4-31. SeizinG Applied Before Cutting
4-34
