| CABLE STRETCH,
PROOF LOADING AND TENSIONING FOR ALL MODELS
It is very important that cable cylinder cables are
properly adjusted to obtain maximum cable and seal life.
Loose cables tend to “whip” at the beginning and end
of the stroke, shortening cables and seal life.
Excessive cable tension deteriorates the cable and its
covering.
Properly tensioned cables prevent all this but
periodic inspection is necessary to maintain maximum
operating life.
All cables exhibit two types of stretch,
constructional and elastic. When cable is stranded, the
individual wires and strands are laid in their proper
position but are slightly loose. When the cable is
subjected to an initial load, the wires align themselves
into a tighter position. This readjustment under tension
is the constructional stretch.
TABLE 2 PROOF LOADING

After the constructional stretch has been eliminated
by proof loading, the cables can be tightened to the
operating tension. With the load physically blocked in
midstroke, apply operating pressure to one end of the
cylinder. Tighten the slack cable to the value indicated
on Table 3 (the torques listed are for maximum rated
pressure). Repeat the procedure with operating pressure
applied to the opposite end. The fish scale method could
be use here also, but would take more time to obtain the
correct tension.
Once the constructional stretch is removed by
proof loading, any further stretch is elastic stretch
which relates to the actual material characteristics.
Before operating the cylinder the constructional stretch
must be eliminated by proof loading:
1. Tighten the trolley locknuts to the torque indicated
on
Table 2.
2. Maintain the proof load tension for 30 seconds.
3. Loosen nuts and repeat.
If a torque wrench is not available, the cable tension
can be estimated using a common fish scale. Apply the
fish scale at the midpoint of the span between two
sheaves or between a sheave and the load. The fish scale
should read the value indicated on Table 2 when the
cable is pulled 1% of the span.
TABLE 3 - CABLE OPERATING TENSION
(at maximum rated pressure)

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