Design and properties

For our Hercules ropes six polyester yarn coated steel strands are twisted into a single rope. A strong connection between the steel and the polyester coating is achieved by the braiding and simultaneous bonding between yarn and steel strands. Our Hercules ropes are made with a nominal diameter of 16 mm and 18 mm, with the single strands between 5.0 mm and 6.0 mm in diameter.

Compared with other synthetics polyester already has a high resistance to colour, UV and wear and tear. However, to meet demands and loads of play equipment all ropes are also prepared with a surface impregnation during production.

Abrasion testing

Basically, the abrasion topic is one to be observed by all rope-manufacturers, which can never be completely left out. Depending on stress load a Hercules rope never lasts forever. However reinforced abrasion does not mean no safety risks whatsoever – even visible steel cores can simply be classed as purely optical restriction, there is no danger at the least. Our ropes have been in permanent use in some places for more than 20 years on the playgrounds. We however are constantly taking measures to improve and optimise the quality of our Hercules ropes.

Our own testing machine was set up to simulate abrasion. An abrasive, stainless steel grinder is pushed up and down the rope surface (so-called double stroke) until it reaches the steel core.

The measured double strike is a comparable quality feature for our rope designs.

Colour options

Our Hercules ropes are available in numerous colours:

• 16 mm Ø: green, orange, fluorescent orange, blue, yellow, black, grey, red, beige
• 18 mm Ø: green, blue, black, red, beige

Connecting elements

• HDPE knot system 48 mm Ø, black for Hercules rope 16 mm, six-stranded

• Cross-stitch knots for Hercules rope 16 mm Ø, four-stranded

• Stainless steel clip for Hercules rope 16 mm Ø, six-stranded (Horizontal nets)

• Aluminium knot system 30 mm Ø, for Hercules rope 18 Ø (Aluplus – series)

Border design

Rope closure

Item no. 436

Plastic rope-end closure (material: HDPE, color: black or beige)

Stainless steel shackle M8, cambered

Item no. 440-8G

Shackle M8 of stainless steel, inside a plastic thimble (material: HDPE, inside diameter: 11 mm, color: black or beige, pressure-grouted with aluminium clamp)

Stainless steel shackle M6, straight

Item no. 441-6

Shackle M6 of stainless steel, screwed to a plastic adapter (material: HDPE, color: black or beige)

Stainless steel retainer ring with plastic adapter

Item no. 442

Stainless steel retainer ring Ø 6 mm, incl. two stainless steel woodscrews M6 x 70 mm, screwed to plastic adapter (material: HDPE, color: black or beige)

Steel ring M10 x 50 mm

Item no. 453

Galvanised steel ring M10 x 50 mm, inside plastic thimble (material: HDPE, inside diameter: 11 mm, color: black or beige, pressure-grouted with aluminium clamp)

Threaded bolt M10, with plastic adapter

Item no. 454

Galvanised threaded bolt M10 (length as required), screwed to plastic adapter (material: HDPE, color: black or beige)

Threaded bolt M10, pressure-grouted

Item no. 454V

Galvanised threaded bolt M10 (length as required), pressure-grouted with aluminium clamp

Ring nut, with threaded bolt M10

Item no. 455B

Stainless steel ring nut with threaded bolt M10 (length as required), inside plastic thimble (material: HDPE, inside diameter: 11 mm, color: black or beige, pressure-grouted with aluminium clamp)

Ring nut, with inside thread M10

Item no. 455

Stainless steel ring nut with inside thread M10, inside plastic thimble (material: HDPE, inside diameter: 11 mm, color: black or beige, pressure-grouted with aluminium clamp)

Plastic thimble, Ø 11 mm

Item no. 457

Material: HDPE, inside diameter: 11 mm, color: black or beige, pressure-grouted with aluminium clamp

Round thimble, Ø 35 mm

Item no. 457R

Material: HDPE, inside diameter: 35 mm, color: black, pressure-grouted with aluminium clamp

Stainless steel thimble, Ø 30 mm

Item no. 457VA

Material: stainless steel, inside diameter: 30 mm, pressure-grouted with aluminium clamp

Solid thimble, opening diameter 11.5 mm

Item no. 457V

Material: HDPE, inside diameter: 11.5 mm, color: black, pressure-grouted with aluminium clamp

Plastic thimble, Ø 30 mm

Item no. 457W

Material: HDPE, inside diameter: 30 mm, color: beige, pressure-   grouted with aluminium clamp

Chain (3 links), with chain adapter

Item no. 461

Chain No. 6 (Ø 6 mm, short-link) of galvanised steel, length: 3 links, screwed to plastic adapter (material: HDPE, color: black or beige)

Chain (4 links), pressure-grouted

Item no. 461V

Chain No. 6 (Ø 6 mm, short-link) of galvanised steel, length: 4 links, pressure-grouted with aluminium clamp

Bolt adapter, with inside thread M10

Item no. 463

Plastic bolt adapter (material: HDPE, color: black or beige), with inside thread M10

Rope loop

Item no. 464

Inside diameter as required, pressure-grouted with aluminium clamp

Applications you may not have considered

Net bridges & Net tunnels

A fantastic connecting element that should be considered for every play park is a rope bridge and a net tunnel. These elements really help to tie a whole park together.

Playground equipment

Huck’s world-renowned rope and netting is integrated into much of our commercial outdoor play equipment. One of the best examples of where this is used is in our rope adventure courses. Hammocks, rope ladders and wobble swings all make use of our strong and durable rope too. We also have a great selection of rope net pyramids, scramble nets and climbing ropes.

Our outdoor playground equipment range also includes a selection of birds nest trees. At the core of the birds nest tree series is the original HUCK Bird’s Nest®. This is a round close-meshed basket with a base shaped to form a nest and a steel ring wound round with rope. It’s the perfect addition to any outdoor playground and provides a climbing element to complement ground-based play like trampolines and swings.