Release #71560 Agency Contact: Russ Risko AdSpeak Marketing Communications 215.343.6565

New "Lightweight" Sheaves & Shackles Designed Especially for Fiber Optic Cable

General Machine Products Co., Inc. has designed a new Sheave and Shackle (or "bicycle wheel") combination to accommodate the special handling needs of pulling fiber optic cable. Among the unique features are a lightweight design, one-size shackle and the reduction of loose parts.

The new sheaves are available in three sizes to accommodate the bending radius of the most common sizes of fiber optic cable; a 24 in., 32 in. and 40-inch split sheaves. Because sheave and shackle assemblies are used to feed cable out of and into manholes during cable pulling operations, the split-sheave design allows the larger sheaves to fit through smaller manhole openings. All components are permanently attached to the shackle, eliminating any concern about loose or lost parts.

Extruded aluminum replaces steel wherever practical. The new components weigh about half as much as their all-steel counterparts, improving handling and maneuverability without sacrificing structural strength or integrity. The 40-in. (102 cm) sheave, for example, weighs just 23 lb (10 kg). Likewise, the 32 in. (81 cm) sheave weighs just 20 lb (9 kg), and the 24 in. (61 cm) just 9 lb (4 kg).