A minimum of how many laps of rope shall be on the drum when the skip, cage or bucket is at the lowest point of the hoist way after final cutting and installing?

• A. 2 laps
• B. 3 laps
• C. 4 laps
• D. 5 laps

Answer: (B)

The main point is ensuring the rope stays engaged with the drum at the lowest point of travel after installation. When the skip, cage, or bucket is at the bottom, you want enough rope on the drum to maintain friction and prevent slipping or unspooling under load and stopping forces. Three complete wraps provide a sturdy amount of contact between rope and drum, giving reliable grip and reducing the risk of the rope slipping off as the hoist changes direction or starts moving after reaching the bottom.

If there were fewer wraps, like two, there wouldn’t be enough contact area to hold the rope securely through the bottom position. More wraps, such as four or five, aren’t necessary to meet the minimum safety requirement and could complicate drum space and rope management. So the minimum is three laps.