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- Ken
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I didn't want to intercede on the current discussion, but your comment above is why kinetic ropes get a bad rap. If at any point a recovery plan is communicated where the recovery vehicle is getting a running start like Wile E. Coyote attempting to sling-shot across a canyon, STOP. There aren't enough nylon fibers woven into the rope to withstand those antics. I likely mentioned it on the Popo Patty video thread. But people need to slow down in recovery and discuss the plan. If anyone is not comfortable with the execution, then they need to discuss the corrective action before executing an improper recovery.Working on heavy earthmoving equipment all my life, Kinetic ropes scare the hell out of me, because when you get a running start there’s really no way to judge how much stored energy is actually there and it can be a ridiculous amount.
I’ve seen too many large parts fly across the shop and go through walls and toolboxes (heard is a more accurate description because they fly like shot from a cannon) I even remember a pin years ago that we never found. Even something like a chain or threaded puller rod can store energy as it stretches a relatively small amount of length. We usually throw a welding blanket over that stuff and it really slows them down but sometimes we get in a hurry and think our equipment is in better shape than it is. An inspector just yesterday took away one of my lifting chains because it was stretched…. I had no clue.
Ideally a soft shackle fails before the bolts holding that large albeit pretty hunk of metal fail turning that pretty recovery jewelry into a death seeking projectile.
Using a kinetic rope properly never entails getting a running start.
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