How is a wire rope clip installed correctly?

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Have you ever wondered how to correctly install wire rope clips and what the phrase "Never saddle a dead horse." means? Below you will find our informative video explaining these things.

If you need help selecting the best wire rope clip for your project, head over to our YouTube Channel or Wire Rope Clip page for more videos and information.

If you would prefer simple text and picture explanations of the information, keep reading.

If you have any questions, please contact our team using the link at the end of the article. We look forward to helping you get your next rigging project started.

If you are looking to form an eye in your wire rope or needing to join two cables together with a lap splice, below you will find information on how to make that connection using wire rope clips.

Terminology

A good foundation for installing these clips properly is knowing the terminology.

The parts of the clip are: the saddle, sometimes called the base or body, u-bolt, and nuts.

Live End

The live end of the cable is the longer portion of the cable that extends to the other connection point. It will be holding the load.

Dead End

The dead end is the short portion that is turned back just so the wire rope clips have something else to grab.

Termination

When the clips are used to make an eye or an end on the cable, it is called a termination.

Assembly

The entire group of components is called an assembly.

Turnback

Turnback is the length of the cable from the base of the eye to the end of the dead end.

&#;Never Saddle a Dead Horse&#;

It means to never apply the saddle of the clip to the dead end of the rope.

Materials Needed

A tape measure, seizing tape, a torque wrench, reference information , and the proper size clips for your cable

On our wire rope clip page, you will find reference information, such as, the number of clips required for each termination, the amount of torque to apply to the nuts, and the turnback length.

Prepping for Assembly

Cut off any unraveled or kinked portion of the cable. It is best to seize the cable with tape before cutting to keep the end tight. If you don&#;t need to cut the cable, be sure to wrap it tightly to keep the structure of the cable in its intended form.

For larger cable, soft wire may be a better choice to hold the cable end together.

Measuring Turnback

Turnback is the length of the cable from the base of the eye to the end of the dead end.

First, measure and mark the turnback length specified in your reference material.

Next, determine how large the eye in your cable will be and mark the live end of the cable where the turnback mark is.

Lastly, mark the live end where the dead-end ends.

&#;Never Saddle a Dead Horse&#; is a common phrase to help people remember the proper orientation to apply the clip. It means to never apply the saddle of the clip to the dead end of the rope.

For more information, please visit tension wire clip.

Line up your markings and apply the first clip to the assembly.

Space the wire rope clip one saddle length from the end of the dead end.

Tighten and torque the nuts being sure they are clean, dry, and free from lubrication.

Alternate between the nuts to ensure even pressure. The use of a torque wrench will help to achieve the recommended torque required for holding the load.

Be careful not to over-tighten the nuts as it can permanently kink the wire rope and lead to premature failure.

Apply the second clip to the assembly, remembering to put the saddle on the live end.

Push it snug up against the thimble. If you aren&#;t using a thimble push it up to the lines you&#;ve marked earlier.

Hand tighten the nuts, remembering to alternate between the nuts for even pressure.

If your assembly requires 3 or more clips, space them evenly between the first two clips you applied, remembering to never saddle a dead horse and to never alternate the clip orientation.

Wire rope is an extremely versatile mechanical device that can be used to help support and move an object or load. Whether for use on cranes or for other lifting applications, it&#;s important to have a solid understanding of the rigging components that are being used to attach to and lift a load.

As a rigger or end-user of wire rope, it&#;s necessary to understand the types of wire rope end termination, or treatments that can be used at the ends of a length of wire rope&#;one of the most common being wire rope clips.

In this article, you can expect to learn:

• What a wire rope clip is
• Types of wire rope clips
• Common mistakes when using wire rope clips
• Steps to install a wire rope clip

What is a Wire Rope Clip?

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

As a general guideline, they are NOT to be used for making slings, as ASME B30.9 Slings standard states: &#;Mechanical wire rope terminations requiring periodic adjustment to maintain efficiency shall not be used to fabricate slings.&#;

Examples of situations where a wire rope clip could be utilized include:

• Wire rope end termination on a crane cable or winch
• To run a length of wire rope through an eye bolt or shackle
• Perimeter cables on docks, parking lots, etc.

Types of Wire Rope Clips

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

U-Bolt Wire Rope Clips

This type of wire rope clip is essentially a U-bolt, two nuts, and a metal base (saddle) that can be made from forged steel or cast iron. Careful consideration and attention must be given to the way U-bolt type wire rope clips are installed.

Forged Wire Rope Clips

The base of the wire rope clip is made from forged steel. Forged clips are heated and hammered into the desired shape&#;resulting in a consistent grain structure in the steel. Forged wire rope clips are used for critical, heavy-duty, overhead loads such as winch lines, crane hoist lines, support lines, guy lines, towing lines, tie downs, scaffolds, etc.

Malleable Wire Rope Clips

Malleable wire rope clips are used for making eye termination assemblies only with right regular lay wire rope and only for light duty uses with small applied loads, such as hand rails, fencing, guard rails, etc. The base of the wire rope clips is made from malleable cast iron, which may fracture under heavy use and does not have the desirable metal properties of steel, or the beneficial grain structure that a forged base has.

Double Saddle Wire Rope Clips

Double saddle wire rope clips consist of two saddles, each with a leg, and two nuts&#;one used on the top and one on the bottom. Double saddle wire rope clips can be used in either direction, so they take the guesswork out during installation when applying to the live end and the dead end of a piece of wire rope.

Common Mistakes When Installing Wire Rope Clips

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to see a wire rope clip applied incorrectly. Some of the most common mistakes include:

• Not torquing to the manufacturer&#;s expectations
• Not using the recommended number of clips
• Incorrect spacing between clips
• Saddle is on the incorrect end of the rope
• Incorrect amount of turnback when forming an eye
• Using the wrong type of clip for the application
• Not matching the clip size to the wire rope size
• Failing to cycle the rope and regularly tighten the clips

Not Torquing to the Manufacturer&#;s Expectations

Wire rope clips require the use of a torque wrench in order to function properly. Torquing the nuts on the clips too much or too little can cause the clip to fail. If the clip is over-torqued, it could damage the threads of the wire rope. If the clip is under-torqued, the holding power of the clip is diminished and the wire rope could slip through.

Not Using the Recommended Number of Clips

There are a minimum number of clips required for use related to the wire rope diameter. Using less than the number of specified clips could result in decreased efficiency and possible failure.

Incorrect Spacing Between Clips

Depending on the number and size of the wire rope clips, there is a proportional amount of space required between the placement on each clip on the rope.

Saddle is on the Incorrect End of the Rope

There are two sides of a U-Bolt style wire rope clip: the saddle and the U-Bolt. When securing a wire rope eye, it is important to place the clip on the correct end of the rope.

The saddle of the clip rests on the live end of the rope, while the U-bolt is to rest on the dead end of the rope.

A saying commonly used in rigging to help remember this is: &#;Never saddle a dead horse!&#; In other words, never put the saddle on the dead end of the rope.

Incorrect Amount of Turnback When Forming an Eye

The turnback is the portion of the wire rope eye that runs from the end of the bearing eye to the live end. Having less than the suggested amount of turnback will decrease the efficiency of the wire rope eye and could lead to failure.

Using the Wrong Type of Clip for the Application

It is important to be sure you are using the correct wire rope clip&#;forged or malleable wire rope clips&#;for the application. Malleable clips can only be used for non-critical uses, such as tension rope to form a perimeter around a parking lot.

If the use is critical&#;an application where, if there is a failure, you have potential injury or loss of life or damage to property&#;a forged clip must be used.

Not Matching the Clip Size to the Wire Rope Size

The clip size used&#;whether it be 1/8&#;, 3&#;, or otherwise&#;must match the diameter size of the wire rope. If it doesn&#;t, the wire rope could slip out of the clip.

Failing to Cycle the Rope and Regularly Retighten the Clips

After installing clips, it is necessary to regularly cycle the rope and retighten the clips. Monitoring the torque on the nuts is important, as they will loosen over repeated use.

How to Install a Wire Rope Clip on an Eye or Thimble

Basic steps for installing a wire rope clip include:

1. First, wrap the wire rope around the thimble or to form the eye, and turn back the correct amount of rope&#;as specified by the manufacturer.
2. Apply the first wire rope clip at the end of the dead end, with one base width of space. Use a torque wrench to tighten the nuts on the wire rope clip.
3. When applying the second clip (if required), place it as close to the eye loop or thimble as possible. Again, be sure to properly tighten the nuts of the clip with a torque wrench.
4. If more than two clips are required, the clips should be evenly spaced between the two that were placed first.

Wrapping it Up

Wire rope clips are a common and necessary piece of rigging hardware when it comes to using wire rope and forming end terminations. They are used to form a wire rope eye or to connect two cables together. It&#;s important to understand how to correctly install a wire rope clip, as incorrect installation leads to decreased efficiency in the wire rope assembly.

The main types of wire rope clips are:

• U-Bolt wire rope clips
  • Forged
  • Malleable
• Double saddle wire rope clips

Some of the most common mistakes when using wire rope clips are:

• Not torquing to the manufacturer&#;s expectations
• Not using the recommended number of clips
• Incorrect spacing between clips
• Saddle is on the incorrect end of the rope
• Incorrect amount of turnback when forming an eye
• Using the wrong type of clip for the application
• Not matching the clip size to the wire rope size
• Failing to cycle the rope and regularly tighten the clips

At Mazzella, we offer a large inventory of rigging hardware and equipment including wire rope, clips like the Crosby Fist Grip wire rope clips, hooks, shackles, rings, and more. If you want to schedule a consultation or receive a quote for your next lifting project, contact one of our Lifting Specialists today.

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