IMPORTANT WARNINGS AND PROPER CARE OF ROPE

NEVER EXCEED THE WORK LOAD LIMIT OF ROPE
Use Work Load Limits as guidelines only. Work Load Limit may have to be reduced when life, limb or valuable property are at risk, or other than new rope is used. When using multiple leg rope slings, the Work Load Limit of each leg will have to be reduced considerably. Consult industry recommendations for information. Work Load Limit does not apply if rope has been subjected to severe dynamic loading, which may not be visible.

AVOID OVERHEATING
Exposure to high temperatures will cause ropes to lose strength rapidly. Even temperatures as low as 150' F (66' C) can reduce the strength of some ropes by 50%. When using synthetic rope, be careful to avoid excessive friction which heats, melts and fuses the outer fibers of the rope.

KEEP OUT FROM UNDER A RAISED LOAD
Never stand in the line of rope under strain - if rope breaks, it will recoil with considerable force.

AVOID SHOCK LOADS
Rope that is strong enough to withstand a steady pull can be broken with a sudden jerk. Be aware of all possible dynamic loading situations. Avoid them when possible and allow for strong enough rope when they cannot be avoided.

DESTROY, RATHER THAN DISCARD, ROPE TO BE RETIRED
It might be used again by someone not aware of the hazard of the defect. This is best achieved by cutting it up into short pieces.

AVOID ABRASION AND UNNECESSARY WEAR
Outer fibers as well as inner fibers contribute to a rope's strength. When outer fibers are worn by chafing or dragging over splintered, buried, rough or gritty surfaces, the rope is worn and weakened.

AVOID SUSTAINED LOADS
Natural fiber ropes such as Manila and Sisal have less ability to take sustained loads than synthetic fiber ropes such as nylon or polypropylene. Never exceed the Work Load Limit and do not subject fiber rope to sustained
loads.

AVOID RUST
Rust can cause rapid loss of strength, sometimes in as short a time as one to two weeks.

KEEP ROPE AWAY FROM CHEMICALS
Strong acids, alkalis and solvents can damage any rope. Natural fiber rope is extremely vulnerable to all
chemicals and solvents.

AVOID THE USE OF SWIVELS IN ROPES UNDER LOAD
A loss of turn will cause permanent damage to the rope.

NEVER USE A NYLON LINE WHICH HAS A HIGH STRETCH FACTOR IN COMBINATION WITH ANOTHER ROPE OF LOW STRETCH.
The nylon line will stretch and not carry its proportionate share of the load, thus putting extra strain on the other lines.

STORE ROPE PROPERLY
Rope is best stored in a dry, unheated place where air circulates freely, off the floor, and away from direct sunlight and other contact with the elements. Keep in mind that synthetic ropes will deteriorate in direct sunlight due to
the exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

KEEP ROPE CLEAN
Dirt on the surface of rope can become imbedded inside and act as an abrasive on fibers.

DO NOT EXCEED WORK LOAD LIMIT OR 20% OF THE PRODUCT'S BREAK STRENGTH.

ROPE FIBER COMPARISON

WARNING: This guide is designed for GENERAL REFERENCE ONLY. The construction comparisons assume using the same rope fiber and size. Expert advice should be sought when choosing a rope where protection of life or property is involved.

ROPE CONSTRUCTION SELECTION GUIDE
Characteristics	Solid Braid	Hollow Braid	Double Braid	Maypole/ Diamond Brain	Twisted
Number of starnds or carriers	9, 12, or 18	8, 12, or 16	16, 20, 24, OR 32	8, 12, OR 16	3
Spliceable	NO	YES	YES	NO	YES
Strength to weight (Best-1, poorest-5)	5	1	2	4	3
Flexibility (Best-1, Poorest-5)	3	1	2	4	5
Flattens under load	NO	YES	NO	YES	NO
Rotates under load	NO	NO	NO	NO	YES
Mechanical elongation (High-1, Low-5)	1	4	5	3	2
Cost per size (High-1, Low-5)	2	4	1	3	5
Working Load (% of tensile)	5-20%	5-20%	5-20%	5-20%	5-20%
Abrasion Resistance (Best-1, Poorest-5)	1	5	2	3	5