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Blocks FAQ

Here you can find useful information about blocks

Top quality – long lifetime

Blocks from BMM is recognized as top quality among people in the fishing world.   BMM have produced blocks to the commercial fishing fleet since 1972. Today BMM has export to more than 40 countries and BMM is market leader in blocks.

Galvanized blockhouse

  • Hot dip galvanization provides the best protection against corrosion in the harsh and salty conditions at sea. (the blockhouse is dipped in a zink bath).

Quality bearings in sheave and top fitting        

  • Spherical roller bearings in sheave – best bearing type for the application.
  • Thrust bearing in top fitting – best bearing type for the application

Hardened sheave / stainless sheave

  • BMM recommends hardened steel sheaves for steel wire ropes.

If the sheave material is to soft, then the rope will indent/mark the sheave and these indentations may produce sharp edges within the sheave which may damage the wire rope and the sheaves could experience excessive wear.

  • BMM recommends stainless steel sheaves for fiber ropes (Dyneema ropes).

Stainless steel should be used to avoid rust on the surface which will abrade the fiberrope as sandpaper.

  • The stainless steel sheaves can be replaced with hardened steel sheaves and visa versa in the blocks if the vessel decides to switch from type of rope.

High strength:

  • The blocks have safety factor 5:1.
  • The WLL on the top fitting is 2 times the WLL (2 x line pull)
  • The blocks are supplied with 3.1 test certificate and tested in own test benches.
  • RMRS certification available upon request

Test certificate with individual product- & certificate no

  • BMM blocks are tested on own test facilities and can be supplied with BMM-test certificate. The blocks are stamped with individual product- & certificate numbers and also shows date of production. The individual number secures easy replacement of spareparts (sheaves, bearings etc..)

Easy access to spareparts

BMM always keep stock of spareparts.   The individual number secures easy replacement of spareparts (sheaves, bearings, etc.)

With grease nipples where needed  

  • Greasing on regular basis is important

Various top fittings to suit all connections onboard.

  • All blocks can be supplied with top fitting to suit all connection onboard.
    • Swivel oval eye
    • Swivel fork for shackle bow
    • Swivel eye for shackle pin
    • Swivel icedavit topfitting for hinge suspension
    • Custom made top fittings can be made to suit with existing hinge onboard a trawler

Hinge suspension provides better guidance:

  • BMM can supply hinge suspension for blocksizes above sheave diameter of 370 mm.

Ratings in this catalogue are applicable only to new products.

The safe working load (S.W.L.) or working load limit (W.L.L.) of each Blue Line-block may be affected by wear, misuse, overloading, corrosion, deformation, intentional alteration and other use conditions.

Working loads shown are the maximum load the block is authorized to support under normal environmental conditions, chock loading and abnormal conditions must be taken into account when selecting the blocks. Regular inspection must be conducted to ensure the equipment continues to meet the required standard.

Blue Line blocks generally are intended for tension or pull. Side-loading must be avoided,as it excerts additional force or loading for which the product is not designed to accommodate.

Welding of or to load supporting parts or products can be hazardous. Knowledge of materials, heat-treatment and welding procedures is necessary for proper welding. The Blue Line should be consulted for information.

All blocks must be regularly inspected to monitor its condition. The frequency of inspection depends upon frequency and period of block use as well as environmental conditions.

When inspecting blocks for wear, check headfittings for deformation, cuts, sharp edges and any damage which may produce additional stress conditions.

Check for excessive wear in pins, side plates, rope grooves, bushes and bearings. Check security of bolts, nuts and any other locking method and ensure that during continuous usage cannot vibrate loose. Any crack or deformation of a block is sufficient to withdraw the equipment from service.

The frequency of lubrication depends on product use and environmental conditions. Upon request Blue Line will provide both lubrication type and frequency.

Also available we have instructions on disassembling and assembling of blocks and sheaves.

Welding of or to load supporting parts or products can be hazardous. Knowledge of materials, heat-treatment and welding procedures is necessary for proper welding. The Blue Line should be consulted for information.

The design safety factor calculated relating the ultimate load to the working load generally expressed as a ratio.

S.W.L. (Safe Working Load) or W.W.L. (Working Load Limit) indicates the maximum mass or force which the product is authorized to support in a particular service.

Throughout the catalogue safetyfactor 5:1 is used. Meaning: Ultimate load divided by 5 = S.W.L.

The following examples will give you guidance when deciding what you need to lift or move a load:

BMM blocks are tested on own test facilities and can be suppled with BMM-test certificate. The blocks are stamped with individual product- & certificate numbers and also shows date of production. The individual number secures easy replacement of spareparts (sheaves, bearings etc..)

The S.W.L. for Blue Line blocks indicate the maximum load that should be exerted on the block and its connecting fitting.

This total load value may be different from the weight being lifted or pulled by a hoisting or a hauling system. It is necessary to determine the total load being imposed on each block in the system to properly determine the rated capacity block to be used.

A single sheave block used to change load line direction can be subjected to total loads greatly different from the weight being lifted or pulled. The total load value varies with the angle between the incoming and departing lines to the block.

The following chart indicates the factor to be multiplied by the line pull to obtain the total load on the block.

Regarding testing of trawlblocks.

Extract from the Norwegian Maritime Directorate’s Rules (§13.1.2.):

“For single sheave blocks with or without becket, the testload may

be reduced in accordance with the above table when the resultant

load in the headfitting exceeds 25 tonnes.”

When a steel wire rope is bended over a wire sheave tensions will occur.After repeatedly bendings fatigue will arise.

Exactly when this fatigue will arise depends on the sheave diameter the steel wire rope is bended over.

General recommendations is the sheave diameter (measured at the bottom of the groove) = “D” – should be 16-20 times the diameter of the wire = “Ø”.

Also the groove at the bottom of the sheave has a big impact on the lifetime of the steel wire rope. The Blue Line recommends that the groove supports the steel wire rope at a minimum of 1/3 of the circumference (120 degrees).