The hoisting steel wire rope is the core load-bearing component of lifting operations, and its condition directly determines the safety of the operation and the service life of the equipment. Scientific maintenance and care should revolve around the four core links of "daily inspection, cleaning and lubrication, correct storage, and damage handling". The specific operations are as follows

I. Daily Inspection: Identify potential risks in advance
It is necessary to establish a system of "pre-shift inspection and regular detailed inspection" to prevent minor injuries from expanding and causing accidents. The following key points should be focused on:
Appearance damage: Check the broken wires. If the number of broken wires in a single strand exceeds 3 per 10 times the rope diameter length, or the number of broken wires in the entire rope exceeds 10 per pitch (the length of one strand wound around the rope core once), it is necessary to stop using and replace it immediately. Check the degree of wear and measure the rope diameter with a caliper. If the wear exceeds 10% of the original diameter, stop using it. Observe whether there is any deformation. If there is a "birdcage-like" twist, local bulging, bending (dead bending), or the flattening amount exceeds 20% of the original diameter, it must be scrapped.
Corrosion condition: If red/brown rust appears on the surface, accompanied by roughness and rust residue shedding, it is considered surface rust. If there is moisture seeping out inside or a "rustling" abnormal sound is made when bending (due to internal rust friction), it indicates internal corrosion. Minor surface rust can be cleaned and lubricated. Severe rust (accompanied by a reduction in rope diameter) requires direct scrapping.
Connection part: Check the rope clamps, use a wrench to confirm whether the bolts are loose (the torque should meet the requirements of the manual), and at the same time verify the number of rope clamps (no less than 3 when the diameter is ≤19mm, and no less than 4 when the diameter is 19-32mm). If they are loose, tighten them immediately. Check the hook and pulley. If the bottom wear of the pulley groove exceeds 3mm or the anti-disengagement device of the hook is damaged, the corresponding parts need to be replaced.
Signs of fatigue: Pay attention to the long-term stressed parts (such as frequently bent pulleys). If there are "hair-like" broken wires, or if the surface luster darkens and elasticity decreases (unable to naturally rebound after bending), the inspection cycle should be shortened. If the number of broken wires increases rapidly, stop using it immediately and replace it.

Ii. Cleaning and Lubrication: Reduce wear and prevent corrosion
Steel wire ropes are prone to impurities during use. Insufficient lubrication will accelerate wear. Cleaning and lubrication operations should be completed in accordance with the specifications.
(1) Cleaning: Remove impurities to prevent lubrication failure
Cleaning timing: It must be cleaned after each use (especially in dusty and humid environments) and before lubrication.
Operating steps: First, use high-pressure air with a pressure of no more than 0.4MPa to blow away the surface dust to prevent hard dust particles from scratching the steel wire. Then, use a neutral detergent (such as diluted dishwashing liquid) or a special wire rope cleaner, in combination with a soft-bristled brush (do not use a wire brush to avoid scratching the coating) to scrub off the oil stains and slag. Finally, rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry with dry compressed air or let it air dry naturally (avoid direct sunlight to prevent internal stress caused by thermal expansion and contraction of the steel wire).
(2) Lubrication: Form a protective film to reduce friction
Lubrication timing: Lubricate immediately after cleaning; Lubricate once every 15 to 30 days during daily use (once every 7 days in damp or corrosive environments). Lubrication is necessary before long-term storage.
Lubricant selection: Ordinary engine oil is prohibited (it is prone to loss and not water-resistant). For mild working conditions (such as indoor hoisting), special wire rope grease (such as lithium-based grease with a dropping point of ≥120℃) can be selected. Extreme pressure grease (containing anti-wear agents and rust inhibitors, such as molybdenum disulfide grease) is recommended for harsh working conditions (outdoor, Marine, high temperature).
Lubrication method: Use the "immersion method" or "application method". Slowly pass the steel wire rope through a container filled with lubricant (soak for 5-10 minutes to ensure that the gaps between the internal steel wires are fully filled with lubricant), or use a cloth dipped in lubricant to evenly apply it, with a focus on covering the gaps between the rope strands and the connection parts. After lubrication, let it stand for 10 to 20 minutes to allow the lubricant to fully penetrate, and then wipe off the excess grease on the surface (to avoid dust accumulation).

Iii. Correct Storage: Avoid damage during idle periods
If steel wire ropes that have been idle for a long time are not stored properly, they are prone to rust and deformation. The following requirements must be followed:
Storage environment: Select a dry, well-ventilated and light-proof indoor space (relative humidity ≤60%, temperature 5-30℃), and keep away from acidic, alkaline and salt spray environments (such as chemical workshops, seaside). Lay wooden pallets or rubber pads on the ground to prevent direct contact with the cement floor (to avoid moisture penetration).
Storage method: Unused new ropes should be kept in their original packaging (oiled paper or plastic film), placed flat on pallets, and the stacking height should not exceed 3 layers (to avoid deformation due to pressure). The used old ropes should be cleaned and lubricated first, and then neatly wound on the dedicated rope drum (the diameter of the rope drum should be no less than 15 times the diameter of the steel wire rope to avoid excessive bending). The two ends of the rope drum should be fixed with guard plates to prevent slipping. Random stacking or hanging storage is prohibited (hanging will cause the steel wire rope to be stretched by its own weight for a long time, resulting in permanent deformation).
Storage inspection: Check the storage status once every 30 days. If lubricant loss or surface moisture is found, re-cleaning and re-lubrication are required.
Iv. Damage Treatment: Do not use when faulty
Once any of the following conditions are found in the steel wire rope, its use must be immediately stopped and it must be forcibly scrapped. It is prohibited to "continue to use after repair" (such as welding broken wires or grinding worn parts, which will damage the strength of the steel wire) :
The number of broken wires, the amount of wear and tear, and the degree of deformation exceed the scrapping standards in daily inspections
Severe corrosion occurs (such as internal rust causing the rope diameter to decrease by more than 5%);
It has experienced overloading (such as significant stretching and elongation of the steel wire rope after overloading during hoisting) or impact loads (such as sudden lifting and sudden stopping, causing fatigue cracks inside the steel wire);
The service life exceeds the design life (generally, the service life of industrial steel wire ropes is 1 to 3 years, which can be adjusted according to the usage frequency and working conditions. Even if there is no obvious damage on the appearance, they still need to be scrapped).