Standard Wire Rope Sheaves
Wire Rope Sheaves for Every Application
Bear Equipment offers two categories of wire rope sheaves, available either in stock or with short lead times: Roll Formed sheaves and Jeamar sheaves. If any of the standard sheaves do not work for your application, Bear Equipment specializes in made to order custom sheaves. Click on a category below to learn more.
Roll Formed Sheaves
Roll Formed sheaves are an economical, medium duty sheave with a wide array of customization options:
Jeamar Sheaves
Jeamar wire rope sheaves are heavy-duty sheaves designed for the most demanding applications.
Custom Sheaves
Our custom sheaves are manufactured to the tightest tolerances for demanding applications.
Sheave FAQ's
Below you will find brief answers to some of the most common questions we are asked about our sheaves. For a much more robust set of questions and answers, check out our resources page.
What is a sheave?
A sheave is a grooved wheel designed to guide a wire rope, synthetic rope, cable, or belt. It rotates on a shaft or axle and is commonly used to redirect a line or provide mechanical advantage.
What is the difference between a sheave and a pulley?
A sheave is the grooved wheel that holds and guides the rope or cable. A pulley is the complete system used to redirect force or make lifting and pulling easier.
How do I choose the right sheave?
The right sheave depends on the load, rope diameter, available space, operating speed, mounting method, and working environment. Proper sizing helps reduce rope wear and supports safe, reliable operation.
What measurements are needed for a replacement sheave?
Important measurements include the outside diameter, rope diameter, groove size, root diameter, bore or shaft diameter, rim width, and hub dimensions. Bear Equipment can also measure an existing sheave for you.
Can Bear Equipment reproduce an existing sheave?
Yes. You can send Bear Equipment an existing sheave to be measured and replicated. We can match its critical dimensions and bore configuration while recommending practical improvements when needed.
What materials can sheaves be made from?
Sheaves can be manufactured from steel, stainless steel, aluminum, nylon, and other materials. The best material depends on the load, rope type, weight restrictions, wear requirements, and operating environment.
What bore and bearing options are available?
Depending on the application, a sheave may use a plain bore, keyed bore, bronze bushing, or roller bearing. Load, speed, alignment, maintenance requirements, and environmental conditions determine the best option.
Can custom sheaves receive protective finishes or treatments?
Yes. Available options for our custom sheaves include paint, powder coating, plating, flame-hardened grooves, and greaseable hubs. These treatments can improve corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and service life.
Why are sheave alignment and groove size important?
Correct alignment keeps the rope properly seated in the groove and reduces wear. An incorrectly sized groove or poor alignment can shorten rope life and reduce system performance.
Can Bear Equipment help design a sheave for a new application?
Yes. Bear Equipment can review your load, rope, dimensions, mounting requirements, operating environment, and other application details to recommend or manufacture a suitable sheave.