On a smooth wire rope drum, the fleet angle should not exceed which specification?

On a smooth wire rope drum, the fleet angle should not exceed which specification?

• A. 0.5 degree or 10:1 ratio
• B. 3 degrees or 60:1 ratio
• C. 1 1/2 degree or 40:1 ratio
• D. 2 degrees or 20:1 ratio

Answer: (C)

Fleet angle is the small angle formed between the rope as it exits the drum and the plane of the rope on the drum. Keeping this angle very small reduces rope and drum edge wear and helps the rope wind evenly rather than rubbing on the flanges. For a smooth wire rope drum, the maximum recommended fleet angle is about 1.5 degrees, which corresponds to a drum width roughly 40 times the rope diameter. Staying at or below this limit minimizes uneven loading and wear as the rope wraps and unwraps. If the fleet angle were larger, the rope would contact the drum at skewed points, causing accelerated wear, fraying, and potential early rope failure. The other options would require impractically wide drums or exceed what’s typically advised for smooth drums.

Fleet angle is the small angle formed between the rope as it exits the drum and the plane of the rope on the drum. Keeping this angle very small reduces rope and drum edge wear and helps the rope wind evenly rather than rubbing on the flanges. For a smooth wire rope drum, the maximum recommended fleet angle is about 1.5 degrees, which corresponds to a drum width roughly 40 times the rope diameter. Staying at or below this limit minimizes uneven loading and wear as the rope wraps and unwraps. If the fleet angle were larger, the rope would contact the drum at skewed points, causing accelerated wear, fraying, and potential early rope failure. The other options would require impractically wide drums or exceed what’s typically advised for smooth drums.