“Never saddle a dead horse” means that when using your Crosby clips, the “U Bolt” is ALWAYS over the DEAD part of the cable and NEVER on the part of the cable that will see the load applied to it. In other words, NEVER have the u-bolt over the load side of the cable.
Here is a diagram and instructions from Crosby’s website showing the proper use of their clips.
Step 1. Refer to Table 1 (below left) in following these instructions. Turn back a specified amount of rope from the thimble or loop. Apply the first clip one base width from the dead end of the rope. Apply U-Bolt over dead end of wire rope – live end rests in the saddle (Never saddle a dead horse!) Tighten nuts evenly, and alternate from one nut to the other until reaching the recommended torque.
You can visit their installation page for more on to properly use their clips, but this was one of those “little details that can make a HUGE difference,” and I wanted to pass it on.
Click Here for the Crosby Page.
NOTE: This could become VERY HANDY in high-angle rescue and CS rescue if you were having to make up this type of arrangement at a moments notice during the rescue. What a sheltered life I have lived!!!!
