What kind of oil should be used for wire rope maintenance?
2 Answers
Wire rope maintenance requires specialized wire rope protective grease. In general cases, ordinary lubricating oil or soap-based grease can be applied or brushed for wire rope protection and lubrication. Below is an introduction to wire rope protective grease: As a specialized grease for wire rope protection and lubrication, wire rope protective grease has its particularity because it not only needs to meet lubrication requirements but also needs to withstand special working conditions such as high temperatures without flowing, low temperatures without cracking, good adhesion, resistance to rainwater washing, acid rain corrosion, and minimal dust accumulation. Since wire ropes are often used in harsh environments, dust and impurities on the surface can cause greater damage to the wire rope during operation. Ordinary lubricating oil and soap-based grease do not possess these characteristics.
Back when I drove heavy trucks, we had to pay special attention to the wire ropes on cranes at construction sites. We always used that sticky specialized wire rope grease - the kind with graphite or metal particles. This grease could penetrate deep into the wire gaps, coating each individual strand with a protective film. Especially for mining equipment, we'd use high-pressure grease guns to inject it regularly - the grease would spiral down the rope as it penetrated, even pushing out embedded grit. Never try to cut corners by using regular grease though. Not only does it fail to adhere properly, but it collects dirt and turns into sandpaper, causing rapid wear. I once saw a loader's wire rope develop burrs in less than six months - all because someone used ordinary grease.
