When terminating a wire rope, where does the saddle go?

When terminating a wire rope, placing the saddle on the live or loaded side is essential for ensuring maximum strength and stability. The saddle is the curved part of the u-bolt that provides support to the wire rope. By positioning the saddle on the live side, it effectively supports the load and minimizes the risk of slippage or failure during operation.

This arrangement also allows for even distribution of forces across the termination point, reducing the potential for damage to the wire rope and improving safety during lifting operations. It’s important that the wire wraps around the u-bolt in a way that it secures the load tightly while using the saddle to provide that extra grip on the loaded side, which is under tension during use.

In contrast, if the saddle were on the free or unloaded side, it would not provide the necessary support and could lead to instability or misalignment. Placing the saddle in the center of the rope or at the opposite end of the u-bolt would also compromise the effectiveness of the termination, as it detracts from the intended purpose of controlling the loaded side of the rope.