Compared to other types of pulleys and blocks, snatch blocks operate differently in certain respects. These blocks utilize a cheek plate, which is simply a side plate that allows the insertion of a cable without the extra step of removing fittings at the end of the wire. When a line is inserted into the snatch block, the process is referred to as reeving. An experienced and skilled wire rope and sling company can help you obtain the block and pulley solutions you need for your rigging applications.
Snatch Block Applications
When a load must be transported to a short distance instead of a much longer distance, snatch blocks are often used to carry out the work. These blocks operate through the use of a winch in a recovery application. The functionality of the winch is enhanced as the snatch block gives it increased pulling strength. The direction of the cable associated with the winch can be altered using an offset anchor point.
Criteria for Safety
Weight, style, and size should be kept in mind as factors related to safety in order to determine whether a snatch block is right for your application.
In particular, the following safety criteria should be considered and followed:
- The Work Load Limits (WLL) of the snatch block or pulley and wire rope must be evaluated for compatibility. If any of these elements of the lift fail, the results can be devastating.
- It is very important to understand the numbers involved with your load. By using a snatch block, you can lessen the direct pull load by 50%. As such, it is very important to select a rigging pulley that will completely make up for this loss with its load rating.
- The diameter of the wire rope and the size of the sheave snatch block must accommodate each other. If the wire rope is too big for the sheave size, the resulting pressure may crack the block. Knowing the wire rope sheave size ratio that securely contains the wire when subjected to the loading conditions is very important.
Choosing the correct snatch blocks and complementary equipment for a rigging task can be challenging. An experienced wire rope and sling equipment supplier can help you determine the right equipment and configuration for your application.
