Crosby Sockets

About Crosby Sockets

Wire rope sockets use a basket body to hold the wire rope end. The rope strands are broomed (spread open) inside the basket, then the basket is filled with molten zinc or an approved resin compound. The filling locks the broom of rope strands inside the basket, creating a termination where the load path is through the strand-to-fill material bond distributed across the entire rope cross-section.

When socketed correctly with zinc or approved resin per the manufacturer's procedure, the socket termination achieves full rope breaking strength efficiency — the termination is as strong as the rope itself. That's the technical basis for specifying sockets on crane fall lines and structural cable applications where the termination efficiency matters.

Crosby open and closed sockets fall under ASME B30.26-2015 (Rigging Hardware) for design, marking, and inspection requirements.

Holloway Houston stocks Crosby wire rope sockets in Houston with same-day shipping on in-stock rope sizes.

Types of Crosby Sockets

Open (Spelter) Sockets

Open sockets have a clevis-type jaw that accepts a pin connection, the jaw opens on two sides to receive the pin from either direction. Used on crane fall lines, pendant connections, and structural cable assemblies where the connection is a clevis pin through a structural lug or bracket. The open geometry allows for angular adjustment at the pin axis.

Closed (End) Sockets

Closed sockets have a solid eye at the connection end. The eye accepts a shackle, pin, or bolt. Less adjustable than an open socket, but more compact. Used where the connection geometry fits a fixed-eye termination and space is limited around the connection point.

Crosby Socket Sizes

Crosby wire rope sockets are sized by wire rope diameter. Socket type, open or closed, and the connection geometry determine the specific model selection.

Rope Diameter Range:

• Open and closed sockets available for rope diameters from 1/4" through 3-1/2" and above.

Materials:

• Forged carbon steel (standard).
• Alloy steel for higher-capacity applications.

Marking:

• Rope diameter and manufacturer identification per ASME B30.26-2015 (Rigging Hardware).

Why Crosby for Sockets

Socket terminations on crane fall lines and structural cable applications represent some of the most demanding rigging hardware applications, these are permanent installations on equipment that operates under significant cyclic loading. Crosby's forged socket bodies provide the fatigue life that matches the wire rope they're attached to.

The full-rope-efficiency termination that a correctly socketed Crosby socket provides, when socketed with zinc or approved resin per Crosby's procedure, is why sockets are specified on crane blocks and structural applications where the termination efficiency is part of the engineering calculation.

Holloway Houston also offers rigging inspection services. Our qualified inspectors examine wire rope sockets and assemblies per ASME B30.26-2015 (Rigging Hardware) and OSHA standards.

Shop Crosby Sockets by Type

• Crosby Open Sockets (Clevis End).
• Crosby Closed Sockets (Eye End).

Crosby Socket Applications

• Overhead Crane Fall Lines : Socket terminations on crane hoist rope ends connecting to the drum and to the bottom block.
• Structural Cable Systems : Bridge cable, suspension structure, and architectural cable terminations where the socketed connection fits into a structural anchor or clevis.
• Offshore and Marine Crane Systems : Pendant line and fall block terminations on pedestal cranes and marine crane systems.
• Guy Wire Dead Ends : Dead-end terminations on transmission tower and communication structure guy wires where the socket connects to the anchor hardware.
• Mining and Shaft Work : Hoist rope terminations in mine shaft applications where the socket connects to the conveyance at the rope dead end.

Why Holloway Houston for Crosby Sockets

Holloway Houston is an authorized Crosby distributor with over 65 years in rigging and lifting, operating from Houston, Texas. We stock Crosby wire rope sockets alongside wire rope clips, thimbles, and wire rope termination hardware.

Our rigging specialists can help match socket type, rope size, and connection geometry to your application. We also offer rigging inspection services.

Related Wire Rope Hardware

• Crosby Wire Rope Clips : G-413 forged clips for field wire rope terminations.
• Crosby Thimbles : Rope thimbles for protecting wire rope eyes at bearing points.
• Crosby Shackles : Anchor shackles for connecting socketed wire rope assemblies to rigging hardware.

Socket Safety and Awareness

Wire rope sockets fall under ASME B30.26-2015 (Rigging Hardware). OSHA 1926.251 references wire rope terminations in jobsite use.

Key awareness points:

• The socketing procedure, rope preparation, brooming, zinc or resin fill, and curing, is specified in Crosby's manufacturer documentation. Deviations from the procedure affect the termination efficiency.
• Pre-use inspection of sockets covers the socket body for cracks and deformation, the filler material for separation from the socket walls and rope, and the rope at the socket entry for crown breaks and kinks.
• A socket where the filler has pulled away from the socket body walls or where the rope has begun to pull through the filler warrants immediate removal from service.