Cable shoes for reversible aerial tramways are designed so that the cable does not bend excessively under deflection angles during operation. Along with correct lubrication of the cable shoe, this is a prerequisite for travelling comfort and a long service life for the cable and saddle. Cable shoes are directly exposed to the weather – this requires versatile lubrication talents: MOTOREX has combined these in FETT 5200.
Travelling over cable car supports with cable shoes at lofty heights gives passengers a moment’s pause – the smoother the passage, the more pleasant the riding experience. Cable shoes and their lubrication play a key role here, as the bearer cable constantly moves in the friction pairing not only during operation but also due to fluctuations in wind and temperature. It must, therefore, be correctly lubricated in all operating conditions and all year round.
FETT 5200 was developed specifically for lubricating cable shoes and has proven indispensable, especially in alpine areas. It is designed for high, jerky pressure loads (extreme pressure), strong vibrations and extreme weather and temperature influences. A lubrication groove in the cable shoe allows the high-pressure grease to penetrate between the friction pairing of the cable and cable shoe, where it is distributed, thus preventing the dreaded jerky running (the stick-slip effect). Due to its excellent adhesive strength, FETT 5200 remains reliably at the lubrication point. It is also water-repelling, adheres well to the slideway, does not emulsify with water and provides effective protection against corrosion. Another important characteristic is its excellent and broad material compatibility.
Intense ultraviolet radiation and the effects of the weather in the mountains not only accelerate the ageing of plastics but can also have a detrimental impact on lubricants: If the grease used to lubricate cable shoes has little or no UV protection, it can oxidise and dry out. MOTOREX has paid great attention to these factors in the formulation of FETT 5200. The special grease has excellent UV resistance. As a result, it remains inherently stable. It is simultaneously water-repelling and resistant to light acids, such as acidic precipitation. The special grease is neutral with respect to the cable’s basic lubrication and fulfils the specifications NLGI 2 and KP2 K-30 in accordance with DIN 51 502.
Cable shoes are difficult to access for maintenance work, especially in snow and ice. This is why many slideway supports with cable shoes are equipped with automatic lubrication systems. These are often heated during the winter to ensure that the grease can be pumped effortlessly. FETT 5200 can be used in a temperature range from -30 to 120 °C. If a cable shoe is lubricated by hand, this is usually done during operation and always under high safety precautions. Here too, it is important that the grease is easy to pump. Stabilising inhibitors also ensure the high-pressure lubricating properties of FETT 5200 over long intervals without any performance loss - an extra dose of safety that maintenance personnel appreciate.
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