To avoid kinking wire rope when spooling onto a drum from the shipping reel, the operator should always:

To avoid kinking wire rope when spooling onto a drum from the shipping reel, the operator should always:

• A. Allow the reel to rotate freely
• B. Keep reel stationary
• C. Apply extra tension
• D. Use a larger drum

Answer: (A)

Let the shipping reel rotate freely during pay-out. When the reel is allowed to turn as the drum takes up the rope, the rope unwinds smoothly with minimal torsion, keeping the rope’s lay aligned and reducing the chance that turns and twists will form into a kink as it wraps onto the drum. If the reel is kept from rotating, the rope must twist as it feeds, which can cause irregular winding and kinked sections that compromise strength and safety. Applying extra tension or using a larger drum doesn’t address the twisting issue as effectively, and can even worsen it by forcing the rope to bend more sharply or bind.

Let the shipping reel rotate freely during pay-out. When the reel is allowed to turn as the drum takes up the rope, the rope unwinds smoothly with minimal torsion, keeping the rope’s lay aligned and reducing the chance that turns and twists will form into a kink as it wraps onto the drum. If the reel is kept from rotating, the rope must twist as it feeds, which can cause irregular winding and kinked sections that compromise strength and safety. Applying extra tension or using a larger drum doesn’t address the twisting issue as effectively, and can even worsen it by forcing the rope to bend more sharply or bind.