{"id":1540,"date":"2023-03-27T07:48:16","date_gmt":"2023-03-27T07:48:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heavydutyguide.com\/?p=1540"},"modified":"2023-03-27T07:48:49","modified_gmt":"2023-03-27T07:48:49","slug":"roller-fairleads-vs-hawse-fairleads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heavydutyguide.com\/winches-guide\/roller-fairleads-vs-hawse-fairleads\/","title":{"rendered":"Roller Fairleads VS Hawse Fairleads? Choose Best One In 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n

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First of all, fairlead is a great component and comes in handy in multiple applications like winches and boat anchor rigging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fairlead can be used to divide and minimize the tension in the wire cable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roller fairlead and hawse fairleads are common types used in relative applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s a difference in working, but the use is the same as both of these fairings minimize the tensile strength of wire cable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hawse Fairlead<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Hawse
Source: international<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

A hawse fairlead usually consists of four small gears or pins fixed to the hull with bolts or clips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each gear has its bearings which rotate around a circular fixed shaft called the bullseye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One end of the cable runs over a sheave mounted on the fixed shaft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the other end passes through the hawse fairlead and goes through a different sheave attached to the bullseye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that when the ship’s helm is adjusted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The line tightens as the vessel swings toward or away from the current direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It reduces the need for constant adjustment of the mainsheet, although there are several other methods for varying the tension on the sheet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The large brass drums at the ends of the lines may also be hauled up or down to alter the tension on the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roller Fairlead<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Roller
Source: prolux-shop<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Roller Fairlead<\/em><\/strong><\/a> is another type of fairlead that works by sliding one part of the sheave across the sheave surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thus altering the line’s angle at which the line runs over the drum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are commonly used on vessels where heavy running rigging was needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Especially when it was impractical to install winches on deck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A more modern version of this type of fairlead uses hydraulic cylinders instead of springs to push or pull the roller against the sheave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This system provides smoother action than spring-loaded rollers, but they can be damaged if operated incorrectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also require an operator who knows how to adjust the pressure correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And one who knows how to safely move around in the bowels of a ship while adjusting them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Difference Between Roller Fairleads and Hawse Fairleads<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Roller fairleads work with any Winch<\/em><\/strong><\/a> or hauling system but can only handle moderate loads.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Difference
Source: overlandsite<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

And must be well-secured to function properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast, hawse fairleads work only with mechanical winches and must be firmly secured to function properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hawse fairleads must be firmly secured on deck because they are used for moving sails around in windy conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a hawse fairlead were not secured properly, it could slide off the side of the vessel and cause severe damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is why many people assume that roller fairleads are less secure than hawse fairleads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you’re talking about sailboat hardware, you’re probably talking about hawse fairleads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The force needed to break through a hawse fairlead will generally be far greater than that needed to force through a roller fairlead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Difference Between Fairleads According To Bearings Types<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are several important differences between roller fairleads and hawse fairleads due to differences of bearing types, including:<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Difference
Source: learnmech<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Roller fairleads typically use bearings either with antifriction or tapered roller bearings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tapered roller bearings have high compressive strength and require little lubrication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast, tapered roller bearings have low compressive strength and require periodic lubrication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Antifriction bearings do not need lubrication but do need periodic maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hawse fairleads typically use bronze bushing roller bearings with lower compressive strength than either antifriction or tapered roller bearings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, these bearings do not require lubrication and have excellent self-lubricating properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bronze bushing roller bearings also have excellent wear resistance and good load-carrying capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A third type of bearing commonly used in hawse fairleads is an all-ball bearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ball bearings have very low compressive strength and very high radial loads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thus, ball bearings are often the last component of a hawse fairlead before the mast is cut into the vessel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason for this is that if a ball bearing breaks or comes loose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The boat can continue to sail under bare poles until the problem is corrected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mainstays will likely catch a broken or loose ball bearing, making replacement easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast, ball bearings used in roller fairleads must be frequently lubricated with grease or oil to ensure proper functioning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grease is more effective than oil for reducing friction between ball bearings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it does not carry out as well as oil when protecting water and contaminants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, frequent greasing of ball bearings in roller fairleads is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Difference Between Fairleads Tensile Minimizing Capacity<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hawse fairlead, as compared to roller fairlead, has a higher tensile stress value due to heavy axial loading from sheaves & different sized propellers and shaft diameters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So their minimizing capacity will be very less as compared to roller fairlead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Hawse fairlead’s material has higher elasticity modulus value than that of roller fairlead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, its reducing capacity will be more than roller fairlead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And in addition to this, there is no minimum\/maximum support on them like that of roller fairlead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hence no interference would be experienced during operation & increasing rotation speed & reducing downtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hence Roller fairlead has greater tension-reducing capacity than Hawse fairlead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In case of disconnection or worn parting, it may give an overloading effect due to rotational movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can cause vibration and shock, which can create structural damages on this kind of system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick Summary<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In comparing both types of fairlead, either type can be chosen according to requirements, each type of fairlead possesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And all kinds of advantages. Still, one should choose based on features and disadvantages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So at this moment, concluding this section, I am pretty sure you would get an idea about the selection of either Hawse fairlead or roller fairlead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In winches, boat rigging, and anchoring system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Video Guide<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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