- - AGRICULTURE CORE CURRICULUM - - (CLF2000) Advanced Core Cluster: AGRICULTURAL MECHANICS (CLF2600) Unit Title: ROPEWORK ________________________________________________________________________ (CLF2604) Topic: SPLICING ROPE Time Year(s) 2 hours 1/2/3/4 ________________________________________________________________________ Topic Objectives: Upon completion of this lesson, the student will be able to: Learning Outcome #: (M-5) - Construct crown, eye, short and side-loop splices (or make a rope halter using the splices). Special Materials and Equipment: Three- or four-foot lengths of 1/4" or 3/8" three-stranded rope for each student. (To make a rope halter, a minimum of four feet of rope is required.) A knotboard showing examples of the different types of splices. References: Birkby, Robert C. (1990). BOY SCOUT HANDBOOK (10th ed.). Boy Scouts of America, Irving, Texas. (Check the telephone book under Boy Scouts of America for the nearest store or center that carries scouting supplies.) Phipps, Lloyd J., & Reynolds, Carl L. (1990). MECHANICS IN AGRICULTURE (4th ed.). Danville, IL: Interstate Publishers. Resources: USING ROPE IN ANIMAL AGRICULTURE (12 Pages) (1975). Available from: Ohio Agricultural Education Curriculum Materials Service, Room 254, 2120 Fyffe Road, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210-1099. Telephone (614) 292-4848 Evaluation: Quiz by the instructor. Completion of a rope halter using all four of the splices. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *** INSTRUCTORS PLEASE NOTE *** The above references and resource contain excellent diagrams and illustrations for splicing. It is often easier to teach splicing if the individual strands or ends are colored differently. This makes it easier for the observer to follow. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TOPIC PRESENTATION: SPLICING ROPE A. Splices are used to finish the ends of a rope, join or repair two ropes, or to put an eye or a loop in a rope. 1. A crown or end splice is used to finish the end of a rope. a. The finished diameter of the splice is larger than the diameter of the rope. This causes problems where the end of the rope must be passed through a loop or a ring. b. Whipping the ends of the rope can replace a crown splice where the finished diameter is important. 2. An eye splice is often used when a permanent loop is required in the end of the rope. 3. A short splice is used to join two ropes together. a. A short splice also increases the diameter of the rope. 4. A side or loop splice is used to put an eye in the middle of a rope. B. Making Splices and Halters 1. A splice reduces the breaking strength of a rope by 20-35% as opposed to 65% for knots. 2. Splices should be attempted only on three-stranded rope for beginners. 3. A pair of side-cut pliers can be used to trim the rope in order to avoid the use of knives in the classroom. 4. A marlin spike or a 20d nail is useful in separating the strands of the rope. 5. Taping the ends of the strands on natural fiber ropes or melting the ends on synthetic ropes will prevent fraying and make it easier to pass the strands through one another. 6. Eyes or loops designed to have a rope pass through them should be no more than 1 1/2 times the diameter of the rope that is to pass through the eye. 7. Consider the size of the head of the animal (calf, cow, bull, etc.) and the length of the lead rope when determining how much rope to start with. 8. Always finish the splice by rolling it between your hands or under your foot to set the strands. ______________________________________________________________ ACTIVITY: 1. Have the students practice making splices until they are proficient. 2. Have the students combine the different splices they have learned to make a halter. 3. Use a splice relay to motivate students through competition. ______________________________________________________________ 6/13/91 RRE/tf #%&C