using wire rope clips brands

What’s the difference between wire rope clips? Guest blogger Danny Bishop, Director of Training for Crosby stopped by Hercules SLR is here to share some information about the difference between malleable cast iron and forged U-Bolt clips.

U-Bolt style wire rope clips are one of the most commonly used accessories in the world of rigging. They can be found in many lifting and non-lifting applications.

Some common applications include winch lines, crane hoist lines, suspension cables, barrier cables, guy wires and many more applications. However, it is critical that the user know there are differences between a forged steel wire rope clip and a malleable cast iron clip.

The malleable cast iron U-Bolt style wire rope clip consists of the same components as just mentioned except the clip base is NOT forged steel. In fact, it is a malleable cast iron, and that can make a big difference in the performance and reliability of the clip. The malleable cast iron base does not have the desirable material properties of steel, or the beneficial grain structure that a forged base provides. Although, malleable cast iron products have their place in industry, it is not the manufacturing process of choice for wire rope clip bases. This is especially true if the wire rope clip could be used in a critical application.

Notice that some standards do not allow the use of malleable cast iron clips in critical applications. One example would be ASME B30.5 which states that “Wire Rope Clips shall be drop-forged steel of single saddle (U-Bolt) or double saddle clip. Malleable cast iron clips shall not be used. “ASME B30.26 also states: “Saddles shall be forged steel.”

Additionally, shortcuts in the production process of the bases may also indicate there could be other shortcomings of the product. In some recent testing of malleable cast iron clips, it was found that U-Bolts fractured prior to achieving the recommended forged U-Bolt Clip torque, on 2/3 of the assemblies tested. (See picture of test mentioned).

Also consider: Malleable Cast Iron Clip bases are significantly different from forged bases in size, shape and appearance. See figure 1 to compare a Crosby forged clip base and a Malleable Cast Iron clip, both for ½” wire rope.

The Crosby Group provides product users with “Red” U-Bolt Clips and forged Fist Grip Clips. Our wire rope clips meet the Federal Specification Number FF-C-450, considered the industry standard.

Compared to cast iron clips, forged clips provide a greater rope bearing surface and have been proven to be more consistent in strength and durability. Whether wire rope forged clips perform efficiently or not depends on whether the manufacturing practices were done properly.

First Grip Clips, for example, provide a saddle for both the live and the dead-end of the wire. This results in needing fewer forged clips for each termination. However, this is not the case with malleable cast iron clips. Forged wire clips reduce the possibility of hidden defects that are sometimes present in the cast iron clips. Cast iron clips should only be used in non-critical applications.

The wire rope clips are forged and galvanized, which ensures resistance to corrosion and rusting. The double saddle design eliminates the possibility of incorrect installation. The bolts are opposite one another, designed as an integral part of the clip. As a result, the nuts can be installed in such a way as to enable the operator to swing the wrench a full arc for easy installation.

The Crosby traceability system is actively used throughout all manufactured forged wire rope clips. All material analysis for each heat of steel is verified within our own laboratory.

We provide detailed warning information for all wire rope clips. Every clip is bagged or tagged with the warning information. This ensures that the information is available at the point of use for every wire rope clip during installation. The warning system is designed to attract the attention of the product user, with the goal to inform the user of the factors involved in the task and provide the user with proper application procedures.

Crosby will occasionally audit the termination productivity of the Red U-Bolt Clips and Fist Grip Clips. Also, the testing and evaluation of applications can be performed upon request by the product user if need be.

Wire rope clips are used to fix the loose end of the loop back to a wire rope. These clips generally consist of a U-shaped bolt, forged saddle, and two nuts. The two layers of wire rope are placed in the U-bolt. The saddle is fitted over the ropes on to the bolt. The nuts secure the arrangement in place. When installing the clips, the saddle portion is placed on the load-bearing or live side. It is not to be placed on the non-load-bearing or dead side of the cable. This is to protect the stress-bearing end of the rope against crushing and abuse.

The size of the wire rope must be measured to allow selecting the proper size wire rope clip. The wire rope end must be seized prior to forming the eye to prevent the wire rope strains and core from shifting while forming the eye. The use of a soft wire to wrap the end of the wire rope is one method. Once properly wrapped, be sure to tighten the soft wire wrapping with plyers.

The number of clips required must be determined by referring to the information on the Crosby bag or on our catalog. Always use a thimble to protect the wire rope against wear and abrasion as it is used. Make sure the turn back is the proper length by using the tape measure to measure it.

As the clips are installed, it’s important to remember that the first clip is applied one base width from the dead-end, that should have been secured earlier. Always apply the U-bolt over the dead-end of the wire rope. Once the nuts are placed on the U-bolt by hand, they must then be tightened evenly. Using a torque wrench, alternate tightening from one nut to another nut until reaching the recommended torque.

The second wire rope clip is then applied as close to the loop or thimble as possible. When three or more clips are needed, space the clips equally between the first two. Take out any rope slack and place the nuts on these additional wire rope clips by hand. Tighten all of them with the torque wrench.

Our experience and significant testing have shown that using swage sleeves on assemblies that are machine closed or tool closed, will provide a minimum strength rating equal to 100% of the cable being used. It is important to verify the swage with a Go/No-Go gauge to ensure that the fitting is closed properly. Copper swage sleeves tend to provide more resistance to cable slippage over Aluminum swage sleeves, when subjected to the types of shock loads a safety cable might experience.

Wire Rope clips are never recommended for overhead lifts and should only be used in securement when a swaged fitting is not an option. When using wire rope clips for overhead securement, forged fittings should always be used. It is important that the clips are attached correctly, tightened to the proper specifications (supplied by the manufacturer), using the correct cable turnback and minimum number of clips. Proper wire rope clip installation also requires that the assembly be placed under load, inspected and then retightened to the correct torque. Wire Rope clips should be inspected periodically for distortion, cracks and proper torque. Provided all of the above requirements are met, the assembly will reach approximately 80% of the strength rating of the cable.

If you are interested in a Wire Rope Clip, you have come to the right place. We offer U-Clips made with stainless steel or galvanized steel. These clamps are used to apply terminations on a cable assembly.

If you are looking for swage sleeves, which fulfill similar functions, we also have those available in their own category. However, if you are interested in picking up some Wire Rope Clips, we have prepared some information that you should find useful.

As we mentioned before, Wire Rope Clamps are used for a similar function to their not-so-distant cousin, the swage sleeve/ferrule. They are used to establish dead-ends and eyes at the end of a wire cable.

While using a clip may decrease the breaking strength of a rope slightly more than a swage would, there are a few advantages over swages. A Wire Rope Clip can be removed and even reused without much wear. This makes clips ideal for less permanent fixes.

When a clip is installed properly, the decrease in the breaking strength of the wire. Eyes installed with Cable Clips will maintain 80-90% of their strength. However, when a clip is not installed properly, the decrease in breaking strength will be much more significant.

Since we just discussed the importance of installing a wire clip properly, let’s talk about what you will need to get this kind of job done. If you already work with wire cables, chances are you already have everything you need.

For the most part, Galvanized Steel is a little easier on your wallet than Stainless Steel and it will take a lot of abuse without much damage to show. However Galvanized Steel is not quite as strong as Stainless Steel and it can’t be used in jobs where the rope may be exposed to saltwater or excessive moisture.

When you are choosing your wire cable, there is a general rule of thumb. Large wires generally stand up very well to abrasion but are not as resistant to fatigue as smaller wires. The size of the rope will help to determine both its strength and flexibility.

Steel Cable Clamps are used in a wide variety of applications. They can be used in towing, loading, rigging, agriculture, and household uses just to name a few areas. The key advantage to using Wire Cable Clamps is that they can be used in any application where an eye termination may need to be removed at some point.

US Rigging are a manufacturer and master distributor of climbing ropes, fall protection equipment, and industrial rigging equipment located in Santa Ana, California. This Orange County based company is proud to provide American Made products with both safety and service in mind. US Rigging has a legacy lasting over 40 years and are known for operational excellence.

We offer a variety of Wire Rope Clips to fulfill your needs in rigging, lifting, towing, and heavy construction applications. These Cable Clips are designed to reliably splice wires with dead-end eye terminations. They are perfect for applications where you need to apply terminations that can be removed.

Swaged wire rope fittings are superior to the use of wire rope clips, but in the field, this typically isn"t an option. For that reason we sell a ton of wire rope clips, and the U-bolt style is the most popular. Available in light-duty malleable or heavy-duty forged designs, both imported and made in the U.S.A. The Crosby G-450 Clips are some of the best-known and most sought after, famous for their "Red U-Bolt". When users see the "Red U-Bolt", they quickly identify a high-quality Crosby product.

Other styles of clips are also popular such as Crosby Fist-Grips. Instead of a U-bolt design, these clips work by securing two opposing saddles with nuts--the process is very similar to regular U-bolt clips. We also stock other specialty clips, such as stainless steel clips and those designed for specific applications. Please ask for help if we can assist you in finding the right wire rope clip for your application.

Wire rope clips, sometimes referred to as u bolt clamps, u bolt clips, u clips, u clamps or cable clamps, are used to secure the loose end of a wire rope when forming an eye. Wire rope u clips have a u-bolt that is secured into a saddle by two nuts. Wire rope assemblies almost always require two, or more wire rope clamps to secure the wire rope properly. When using wire rope cable clamps to form an eye in a wire rope, the working load limit of the wire rope is reduced by about 20%.

Here at Tri-State Rigging Equipment we pride ourselves on providing only the highest quality wire rope clamps from only the most reputable manufacturers. We can provide you with any wire rope clip on the market so, if you are unable to find what you are looking for, or if you don’t know exactly what you need, call or email our sales team to speak with a rigging product specialist.

Wire rope cable clamps come in a variety of materials ranging from galvanized and zinc plated steel, to stainless steel. The two most important different types, however, are drop forged and malleable wire rope u bolt clips.

Drop forged wire rope clips are more heavy duty than malleable rope clips and can therefore be used for more heavy-duty rigging applications. In addition, they are galvanized with a heavy coating of zinc that resists the corrosion and abuse found in rugged work environments. Wire rope cable clamps of every type are not designed to be used in an overhead lift but drop forged wire rope u bolt clamps can be used to suspend an overhead load. This makes wire rope cable clamps ideal for use with:

Regarding the first question, if the load is being moved, wire rope clips are not to be used. If the load is being held in place, heavy-duty drop forged wire rope clips can be used. For the second question, if the load is near the ground, malleable wire rope clips may be used, as their lighter duty design is more than enough for the job. On the other hand, if the load is being suspended above the ground, heavier duty drop forged wire rope clamps must be used.

In the rigging and lifting industry there is a common saying that is used to remember the correct way to use wire rope u clips: “Never saddle a dead horse.” This means that the saddle of the u clamp should always be in contact with the live side of the wire rope rather than the dead side. The dead side of the wire rope is the side of the eye that has the cut end. The dead end is attached to the live end of the wire rope to form an eye and it is imperative that the saddle be on the live side of the wire rope.

Tri-State Rigging Equipment is a service provider and distributor for all wire rope cable clamps, and u bolt clips for rigging serving clients from coast to coast, Canada, Mexico and especially focused in the states of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, Florida, and Oklahoma.

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