Wire ropes used for lifting vs Wire ropes used for aerial trams
The main differences come down to design, function, and performance priorities, because an aerial tram’s ropes and lifting ropes face very different conditions.
Purpose & Load Type
- Aerial tram ropes
o Track ropes: often locked-coil or full-locked-coil construction with a smooth exterior, high metal cross-section, very stiff, minimal stretch.
o Haul ropes: more flexible stranded construction, often with a solid plastic core, optimized for running over sheaves all day.
o Diameters can be huge! Track ropes may exceed 50 mm (2 in).
o Haul Ropes for mono cable systems measure up to 64mm (2.5 in).
- Lifting ropes
o More flexible constructions like 6×36 or 8×19 (number of strands × number of wires) to handle repeated bending around small drums and sheaves.
o Usually, they have a smaller diameter than tram track ropes but optimized for bending fatigue resistance.
Construction
- Aerial tram ropes
o Track ropes: often locked-coil or full-locked-coil construction with a smooth exterior, high metal cross-section, very stiff, minimal stretch.
o Haul ropes: more flexible stranded construction, often with a solid plastic core, optimized for running over sheaves all day.
o Diameters can be huge! Track ropes may exceed 50 mm (2 in).
o Haul Ropes for mono cable systems measure up to 64mm (2.5 in).
- Lifting ropes
o More flexible constructions like 6×36 or 8×19 (number of strands × number of wires) to handle repeated bending around small drums and sheaves.
o Usually, they have a smaller diameter than tram track ropes but optimized for bending fatigue resistance.
Movement & Bending
- Aerial tram ropes
o Track ropes: mostly stationary, minimal bending. Stiffness is an advantage.
o Haul ropes: continuous bending over large-diameter sheaves, but far less flexing frequency than crane ropes.
- Lifting ropes
o Bend over small sheaves and drums thousands of times in a single workday. They must be highly flexible and fatigue resistant.
Service Life & Maintenance
- Aerial tram ropes
o Designed to last many years (often 15–30 years for track ropes with inspections and maintenance).
o NDT inspections and tension adjustments are standard.
- Lifting ropes
o Shorter life cycle due to high bending and shock loads; replacement intervals are much more frequent.
Environment
- Aerial tram ropes
o Constant outdoor exposure: snow, ice, rain, UV.
o Heavy galvanizing and lubrication to resist corrosion.
- Lifting ropes
o May work indoors or outdoors, but corrosion protection varies depending on the job.
In short, aerial tram ropes are engineered for long-term, high-tension stability and smooth running, while lifting ropes are engineered for flexibility, repeated bending, and handling variable loads.