RCH 1000 & Modar R3 - ISO 9001 Compliant

Sheave Wheel
Inserts & Linings

Extend rope life, eliminate unlined-rim wear and reduce your rope replacement costs. STOTKO Engineering supplies proprietary RCH 1000 low-friction inserts for sheave wheels, Modar R3 high-friction inserts, and complete lined sheave wheels - designed for the real demands of Southern African mining.

50+
Years Exp.
4
Continents
ISO
9001 Compliant
Scroll

The Case for Lining

Why Line a Sheave Wheel?

An unlined sheave wheel is one of the most overlooked sources of rope wear in a mine shaft. Lining your sheave is the single most effective way to extend rope service life and reduce replacement costs.

The Problem - Unlined Sheaves

  • Steel rope bears directly against a hard metal rim, causing accelerated surface wire fatigue and fretting corrosion.
  • High contact pressures at the rim edge crush and distort individual wires, shortening rope life significantly.
  • Frequent rope replacements mean extended shaft downtime and high recurring material and labour costs.
  • Metal-to-metal contact generates vibration and impact loading transmitted into the rope structure.

The Solution - STOTKO-Lined Sheaves

  • Polymer inserts distribute contact pressure uniformly across the rope cross-section, eliminating wire crushing.
  • Rope life is directly extended in accordance with DIN 22410, reducing replacement frequency and total operating cost.
  • Quick conversion from unlined to lined sheave with minimal shaft downtime using STOTKO's block-fit insert system.
  • Choose the right friction characteristic for the duty: RCH 1000 low-friction inserts for sheaves, or Modar R3 high-friction inserts where rope grip is essential.
🔗

Extended Rope Life

Insert absorbs contact stress. Less surface fatigue means fewer replacements and lower total cost of ownership.

Minimal Downtime

Block-fit installation system converts an unlined sheave to a lined one quickly, without removing the wheel from the shaft.

🔥

Underground Rated

Flame-retarded variant is available for underground environments where flammability standards are mandatory.

🏆

DIN 22410 Compliant

Rope life performance verified and aligned to DIN 22410, the international standard governing sheave lining rope life.

Two Insert Technologies

The Right Friction for the Right Application

Not every wheel in a winding system needs the same insert. STOTKO Engineering supplies two distinct insert technologies — each engineered for its own duty.

Proprietary

RCH 1000
Low-Friction Inserts for Sheaves

Our proprietary low-friction insert system for sheave wheels. RCH 1000 minimises abrasive interaction between rope and groove, protecting the rope's surface wires while maintaining stable groove geometry over the service life of the insert.

  • Low coefficient of friction reduces rope surface wear at the sheave
  • Dimensionally stable it does not close up the rope groove over time
  • Block-fit design for clean, accurate installation without gaps or voids
  • Available for a pre-cut rope groove or plain face for field profiling
  • ISO 9001 compliant Data Packs available on request
High Friction

Modar R3
High-Friction Inserts

High-friction inserts manufactured from Modar R3, a dense elastomer engineered to provide consistent grip and dimensional stability under cyclical loading. The choice for applications where rope grip and drive traction are essential.

  • High coefficient of friction reduces rope slippage under load
  • Dense elastomer structure resists groove deformation over time
  • Flame-retarded variant approved for underground environments
  • Block-fit design for clean, accurate installation without gaps or voids
  • ISO 9001 compliant material test certificate available on request

Which Insert Do You Need?

Property RCH 1000 Modar R3
Friction Characteristic Low friction High friction
Typical Duty Sheave wheels - minimising rope wear at the groove Chairlifts, Kope Winders, Ropeways where traction is essential
Proprietary STOTKO Product Yes Manufactured from Modar R3
Groove Retention Over Time Maintains geometry Maintains geometry
Flame-Retarded Underground Variant Self Extinguishing Available
ISO 9001 Compliant Yes Yes

Not sure which insert suits your installation? Send us your application details and our engineering team will recommend the correct insert for your duty.

Decades of Development

From Leather to
Engineered Polymers

Sheave lining technology has come a long way from the leather blocks of early coal mines. Today, STOTKO Engineering supplies purpose-engineered polymer inserts: our proprietary RCH 1000 low-friction inserts for sheave wheels, and high-friction inserts manufactured from Modar R3 for duties where rope grip is essential.

A flame-retarded variant is available for underground environments, meeting the flammability requirements for in-shaft components.

Low
Friction — RCH 1000 inserts protect the rope at the sheave groove
High
Friction — Modar R3 inserts deliver consistent grip under load
Block
Fit design - neat, accurate installation without gaps or voids
Flame
Retarded variant approved for underground mine environments

Material Evolution

🟫
First Generation

Leather

The original sheave lining material used in coal mines. Provided initial rope protection but was susceptible to moisture absorption, swelling and inconsistent friction characteristics.

Second Generation

Rubber

Standard rubber liners improved durability and moisture resistance over leather. However, conventional rubber tends to close up the rope groove over time, reducing the effective groove geometry.

Current Generation

RCH 1000 & Modar R3

STOTKO's current insert range: proprietary RCH 1000 low-friction inserts for sheaves, and Modar R3 high-friction inserts for grip-critical duties. Neither closes up the rope groove. Block-fit design allows clean, accurate installation. Flame-retarded variant available for underground use. Extends rope life per DIN 22410.

Performance Advantages

What Makes Our Inserts Different

Groove Retention

Both RCH 1000 and Modar R3 hold the rope groove open over time. The geometry remains consistent throughout the service life of the insert, maintaining correct rope seating and consistent load distribution.

Key Differentiator vs Rubber

Block-Fit Design

Insert blocks fit neatly together around the sheave rim for clean, accurate installation with no gaps or voids. This ensures a continuous, even lining surface and simplifies the fitting process on-site.

Fast On-Site Installation

Cost Advantage

Our inserts carry a competitive purchase cost without compromise on performance or service life. The real savings come from reduced rope replacement frequency.

Lower TCO

Groove Options

Available with or without a pre-cut rope groove. Supply with a pre-cut groove suits standard rope diameters and speeds up installation. Supply without a groove allows field-profiling to match a specific rope exactly.

New & Existing Sheaves

What We Supply

Our Sheave Wheel Products

Whether you need replacement inserts for your existing sheaves or a fully manufactured lined sheave wheel, STOTKO Engineering can supply both.

New & Replacement Insert Sets

For existing lined or to be machined sheave wheels

RCH 1000 low-friction inserts for sheaves, or Modar R3 high-friction inserts for High-friction duties. Supplied as a set for your sheave matching your rope diameter.

What You Receive

  • Full insert block set dimensioned to your sheave's outer diameter and rim width
  • Choice of RCH 1000 low-friction or Modar R3 high-friction, we can advise on the right selection
  • Available with pre-cut rope groove or plain face for field profiling
  • Flame-retarded underground variant - PLEASE specify from quotation request
  • ISO 9001 compliant with test certificate available on request
  • Installation guidance and after-sales support from our engineering team

Complete Sheave Wheels

Fully manufactured and lined - ready to install

STOTKO Engineering designs and manufactures complete sheave wheels with inserts fitted, ready for direct installation. The ideal solution for new shaft installations or when an existing wheel is beyond serviceability.

What You Receive

  • Complete sheave wheel assembly manufactured to your dimensional specification
  • RCH 1000 or Modar R3 inserts fitted and seated at the factory before despatch
  • Pre-cut rope groove machined to your rope diameter specification
  • Engineered to suit specific shaft geometry and loading requirements
  • ISO 9001 compliant with full traceability and test certificate on request

Custom Dimensions Available

Both products are made-to-order. To receive an accurate quote, please provide your sheave outer diameter, rim width, rope diameter and installation environment (surface or underground). For new sheave wheels, please complete our Sheave Wheel Data Sheet for all other enquiries, contact us directly.

Get a Quote

Quality & Compliance

Built to the
Right Standards

Every insert and complete sheave wheel supplied by STOTKO Engineering is ISO 9001 compliant. Test certificates are available for all products on request.

Rope life improvement performance is aligned with DIN 22410, the international standard governing the relationship between sheave lining and wire rope service life. This gives our clients a documented technical basis for the operational and financial benefit of lining their sheaves.

ISO
9001

ISO 9001 Compliant

All products are ISO 9001 compliant. Test certificates available for all products on request. Traceability maintained throughout production.

DIN
22410

DIN 22410 Rope Life Standard

Insert performance is aligned with DIN 22410, which specifies the requirements for sheave linings in relation to rope service life providing the technical and financial justification for lining investment.

Flame-Retarded Underground Variant

A flame-retarded variant is available for underground shaft environments where flammability requirements for in-shaft components must be met. Specify at time of order.

Proven Globally

Trusted on Four Continents

STOTKO sheave wheel inserts and mining products are in active service at underground and surface mining operations worldwide.

🌎

North America

Shaft cable clamps and sheave wheel inserts supplied to underground mining operations in Canada and the United States.

🌍

Africa

Full product range serving mining clients across Southern and Central Africa including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique.

🌏

Eurasia

Mining and industrial equipment supplied to facilities across Europe and Central Asia for processing and conveying applications.

🦘

Australia

Mining safety equipment including shaft cable clamps and sheave inserts in use at Australian underground and surface operations.

Complete Mining Range

Also From STOTKO Engineering

Get a Quote

Ready to Reduce Your Rope Costs?

Choose the enquiry route that matches your needs. Our engineering team will respond with a competitive quote within 1 to 2 business days.

New Sheave Wheels

Ordering a complete, newly manufactured sheave wheel? Complete our Sheave Wheel Data Sheet so we can capture all the dimensional and application details needed to engineer and quote your wheel accurately.

Complete the Data Sheet

Inserts, Relining & General Enquiries

Need RCH 1000 or Modar R3 insert sets for existing sheaves, relining of worn wheels, technical advice, or anything else? Contact us directly and our team will guide you through the details we need.

Contact Us

What to Include in Your Enquiry

Sheave wheel outer diameter (mm)
Rim width or groove width (mm)
Rope diameter (mm)
Quantity of sheave wheels to be lined
Surface or underground installation environment
Insert type: RCH 1000 low-friction, Modar R3 high-friction, or unsure — we'll advise
Inserts only, or complete lined sheave wheel required
Pre-cut groove required (yes / no / unsure)
Any existing drawings, sketches or photographs welcome

We respond to all enquiries within 1 to 2 business days (SAST)