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Know Your Rope

Trophyline Rope Products

The improper use of rope MAY BE DANGEROUS!

Our rope shop is busy every day making rope and spliced assemblies that ship all over the country for our customers. In many of these instances the rope can be worked on at our shop and installed on location. Sometimes however, the rope just has to be spliced, cut or installed onsite. If you need rope work done at your location the professionals at Knot & Rope Supply can help.

Our rope splicers and rope craftsmen are experienced at doing onsite work for challenging rope work projects all over the country.

  • Do not overload rope
  • Avoid shock loading rope whenever possible
  • Do not use rope in applications beyond the heat rating of the rope
  • Be sure to use the correct size rope for the job
  • Avoid any area around the linear length of loaded rope
  • Keep rope away from all chemicals to prolong safe working life
  • It is the user's responsibility to use rope in a safe manner!!!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON ROPE

Because of the wide range of rope use, rope conditions, exposure to the several factors affecting rope behavior, and the degree of risk to life and property involved, it is not realistic to make specific recommendations as to the exact loads any given rope can handle.

It is the users responsibility to completely understand the safe use and operation of the rope being put into service for any specific or general task.  The user needs to be aware of all environmental, load and any other variable factors that affect the safe use of rope.  Failure to do so can cause severe personal injury and/or death as well as property and/or other environmental damage.  The user of this rope assumes all such risks.

In addition, any safety training or skill training required for the safe use of rope in any capacity is the sole responsibility of the user of any rope.

Applying a Load to Rope

When weight is applied to rope, various factors come into play. These factors dictate whether it is a dynamic load or a static load.

Dynamic Loads:
impart varying amounts of weight on the rope, for example, a load that drops or a load that swings.  This movement on the rope can greatly increase the force put on a rope.  In some cases this can be 2 to 5 times the weight of the item.  It is crucial to safe use that the correct type of rope is chosen for these applications.

Static Loads:
impart a consistent weight on the rope, for example, a rope holding a single weighted item. Static loads can also be briefly subject to dynamic loads. Being aware of lifting or pulling factors is crucial to maintaining a safe working environment.

Rope Strengths

All rope has a rating referred to as a "tensile strength" or "average break strength." This number is the amount of weight that the rope should be able to hold in ideal conditions, specifically, a new rope, with no knots or splices, at room temperature. These break strength numbers are based on actual destructive break testing by the manufacturer or a certified third party testing facility. Ropes are tested over many cycles and the average break strength is determined and specified for the product.

Rope wear, knots, extreme hot or cold temperatures, chemicals, the manner in which the load is applied and other factors will result in a break strength lower than the stated average break strength.

A rope with a stated or advertised break strength, in pounds will not necessarily safely hold something that weighs that amount! Refer to the SAFE WORKING LOAD of a specific rope for more information.

 
Working Loads

In a broad generalization, most working loads vary from 1/10 to 1/4 of the average break strength of the rope. Applications for rope used in life support or personal fall protection environments must use the 1/10 ratio.

When in doubt, use a working load factor that affords a greater margin of safety, or move up to a larger diameter rope.

Knots & Splices

Main safety ropes supplied for use in the TROPHYLINE harness system have been professionally stitch spliced. This splice will maintain 90% of the rope strength. Before every use, a visual inspection is necessary to ensure that no damage has occurred to the rope itself or the splice. Visually inspect to make sure the stitching in the splice area is in good condition and not cut or abraded in any way.

Special Note for Tree Stand Safety Ropes

Operating safely at height for hunting requires specific training.  Do not attempt this activity without training and guidance by an experienced professional in this industry.

Be sure to know and understand the effects of dynamic and static loading on the main safety line as well as the attached prusik cord(s) being used. BE SURE TO PROPERLY TIE AND SET all knots and connections to your fall arrest and safety gear. Failure to do so can result in severe personal or property damage or even death.