The wire rope is supplied on a steel reel supported by a wooden or steel cradle, which is not permanently connected to the reel. The bent nails or wire hooks connecting the cradle with the reel are installed only for aligning the reel with the cradle.

If not provided with special fittings, the reel must be lifted using a proper shaft to be inserted in the reel hole and the shaft must be connected with slings to a suitable lifting beam.

To relocate the reel, the cradle must be connected to the lifting shaft using textile or steel ropes to prevent its falling down during lifting. To install the reel over the pay off, the cradle must be disconnected from the reel before lifting.

For the uncoiling operation, the reel must be placed over the pay-off so that the end will be extracted from the bottom.

After the installation of the reel and before removing the lifting tools, reel rotation caused by its unbalanced weight must be prevented.

The outer rope end must be disconnected from the reel taking care to prevent any rope reactions.

The braking system, if required, shall engage at least two opposite reel rays and must be capable to work in both directions.

The rope end must be connected to the pulling rope by a suitable connection capable to withstand the required pulling force, which should not exceed 2 tons using one braking device or 5 tons using two braking devices (one at each rope side).

Ropes are supplied with a lubrication which protects them during transportation, a certain period of stocking depending on the ambient atmosphere and the initial period of use.

Ropes must be stored in a vertical position (with the axis of the steel reel parallel to the ground) in a cool, dry, clean and well ventilated indoor warehouse, avoiding the contact with the ground.

All the ropes standing outside must be placed in suitable supports for the storage reels to avoid the penetration of the steel reel arms on the ground.

They must be protected with breathable waterproof fabric covers that don’t allow the formation of humidity and condensation and secured in order to maintain a proper ventilation.

If the rope has to be stocked for long periods, especially in the case of high temperature locations, it should be periodically rotated of half a revolution to prevent the lubricant draining. This operation should be performed with a higher frequency in case of temperatures higher than 25°C.

At the same time, the wire rope should be checked to detect any trace of corrosion or inadequate lubrication.

Ropes which have been stored for a long time should be in any case cleaned to remove scales, fouling or incrustation, then lubricated and, if possible, dipped in oil before installation.