When unwinding the rope from the transport drum or reel, the drum or reel must rotate as the rope unwinds. Any attempt to unwind the rope from a stationary drum or reel will cause the rope to kink, resulting in irreparable damage.

Extreme care must be taken not to drag the rope over obstacles, deflections, or corners.

Avoid creating a large line angle between the transport drum and the first pulley. The rope may roll in the pulley, causing it to unwind. This is particularly important for all straight-lay, straight-lay, and non-rotating rope constructions.

Avoid passing the rope through pulleys with small deflections and avoid changing the plane from vertical to horizontal.

If you must unwind a large, heavy wire rope, use a brake to maintain slight tension in the rope. Never allow the rope to slack and form loops.