TM 5-3810-307-10
6-5
TRAINING THE CABLE ("BREAK-IN")
WARNING
Wear heavy gloves and safety glasses when working
with the hoist cable. Failure to follow this warning
could result in personal injury.
To avoid injury to personnel, always stand clear of
cable when operating the boom.
CAUTION
For proper operation of the cable, ensure the
following steps have been taken.
Spool first layer tightly. It is essential on smooth-faced drums that the first layer is spooled with
wraps tight and close together since the first layer forms the foundation for succeeding layers. If
need be, use a rubber, lead, or brass mallet (never use a steel hammer) to tap rope in place.
Spool multiple layers with sufficient tension. It is very important to apply a tensioning load to
the ropes during the rope breaking-in process. (If not, the lower layers may be loose enough that
the upper layers become wedged into the lower layers under load, which can seriously damage the
rope.)
Unload properly and relieve any twists. Pull the rope off the shipping reel or unroll it from a
shipping coil. (If done improperly, you may kink the rope, which will result in permanent damage to
the rope.) Then lay the rope on the ground in direct line with the boom. This helps release any
twist in the rope.
Attach rope's end to drum. Pull the rope over the point sheave and attach the end to the drum.
Before making any end attachment, be sure the rope strands are free to adjust. (In other words,
make sure the rope is not welded together.)
Wind rope onto drum slowly and carefully; keeping each layer tight.
When paying out the rope, always leave a minimum of three wraps on the drum for safety to
help prevent pulling the rope through the wedge.
a.
With boom raised, attach light load (up to 10% of capacity) at hook and raise it a few inches
off the ground. Allow to stand for several minutes.
b.
Cycle load between full UP and DOWN positions several times. Watch the drum as the
rope winds onto it to ensure uniformity and tightness. Do not allow gaps between windings.
c.
Increase load to 50% capacity and repeat steps a and b.
d.
Increase load to full capacity and repeat steps a and b.
