Publish Time: 2026-02-12 Origin: Site
Whether it’s a construction-site crane or port lifting equipment, crane wire rope is a critical load-bearing component. Different operating conditions—such as lifting height, load weight, abrasion, and rotation control—require different rope structures. Below are the most common types of wire rope used for cranes and heavy lifting, along with their key advantages and typical applications.
Shaped strand wire rope(4V×48S+5FC；4×25Fi+PP) is formed and then processed using methods such as swaging/compacting. By changing the rope’s effective diameter and surface profile, this structure can increase breaking strength while maintaining good flexibility and a smoother outer surface.
Key benefits
Rotation resistance
Long service life
Stable structure
Good wear resistance
Smooth surface and strong breaking load
Typical applications
Vertical shaft hoisting (shaft sinking / mine construction)
Vertical shaft balance ropes (typically for alternating lay designs)
Port handling and cargo loading/unloading
Tower cranes, truck cranes
Marine cargo handling (galvanized versions commonly used)
As lifting height increases and loads become heavier, standard wire ropes are more likely to spin and twist. For equipment such as tower cranes, rotary drilling rigs, and high-lift hoisting systems, rotation-resistant wire rope is often required to improve safety and control.
Where it’s commonly used
Vertical shaft hoisting
Shaft sinking hoisting (mine construction)
Vertical shaft balance ropes (typically for alternating lay designs)
Shaft guide ropes and aerial ropeway load-bearing ropes (same-direction lay often recommended)
Marine cargo handling
Rotary drilling rigs
Excavators / electric rope shovels (winch systems)
Oil drilling operations
In compacted strand wire rope, each strand is processed before closing the rope using methods such as drawing, rolling, or forging. This modifies strand diameter and shape, which increases breaking strength and significantly improves abrasion resistance.
Key benefits
Higher breaking load
Better wear resistance
Improved drum winding stability
More durable in heavy-duty environments
Typical applications
Vertical shaft hoisting (same-direction lay often recommended)
Shaft sinking hoisting (mine construction)
Vertical shaft balance ropes (typically for alternating lay designs)
Shaft guide ropes and ropeway load-bearing ropes
Oil drilling
Excavators and rotary drilling rigs
Large casting/steel pouring cranes
Port handling equipment
Tower cranes and marine cargo handling
In point contact wire rope, at least one layer of wires in the strand shares the same lay direction, and wires between layers cross each other, creating point-to-point contact.
Key advantage
Very good flexibility
In line contact wire rope, wire layers are arranged so that wires make line contact, improving resistance to crushing and deformation.
Key advantage
Better anti-crushing performance than point contact rope
Generally more widely used in lifting and industrial environments
Typical applications for both
Tugboats and towing
Cargo nets and floating timber transport
Ship mast tensioning and suspension bridge operations
Fishing trawls
Oil drilling
Additional applications for line contact wire rope
Vertical shaft hoisting
Cable cars / ropeways
Hot rolling mill equipment
Marine cargo handling
Salvage operations (wreck recovery)
Cranes, rotary drilling rigs, excavators, and more
Different wire rope structures deliver different performance in real operations. When selecting crane wire rope, consider:
Load weight and lifting height (risk of rotation increases with height)
Need for rotation control (tower cranes, high-lift systems, rotary drilling rigs often require rotation-resistant designs)
Abrasion and drum/sheave wear (compacted strand is often preferred)
Crushing resistance (line contact typically performs better than point contact)
Environmental corrosion (galvanized options for marine/outdoor use)
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