Purpose -The purpose of this paper was to create conditions for the correct decision concerning an exchange of the used rope for a new one. A cognitive goal was to indicate the causes of its wear and determining its mechanism reliability and durability. Design/methodology/approach -The magnetic, organoleptic and strength standard tests of lifting triangle-strand ropes of a mining hoist were carried out. This way the current state of the tested rope was defined. Findings -On the basis of an analysis of the results of the performed tests: magnetic, organoleptic and fatigue tests, it can be said that the magnetic one is accurate enough only to indicate the place of the rope's biggest weakening, though the degree of weakening is not defined precisely -with significant excess. The accurate rope's destruction degree is indicated by the strength tests. Practical implications -The results of described investigations can improve safety of the mining rope mechanisms operation, even for an increased resource. Originality/value -The elementary wear processes, which are the basic reason for the destruction of the rope, are indicated. Rope destruction is caused mainly by tribological factors: abrasion, corrosion and fatigue wear. Magnetic tests are accurate enough only to indicate the place of the rope's biggest weakening (qualitative index). Most precisely, the rope's destruction degree (quantitative index) can be found by the strength tests.

In this paper structural analysis of steel ropes applied in mining shaft hoists was conducted. Functions of the ropes which they fulfilled in these shaft hoists were identified. Expected operational features of ropes were indicated too. An analysis was carried out four identified groups of ropes: hoisting ropes, balance ropes, leading rope and fender ropes. Basic constructional features: geometrical and material of ropes, which they should be characterized in each of mentioned functional groups were indicated. Constructional structures of mentioned steel ropes, the most often applied in domestic mining shaft hoists were described. Observed tendencies in analyzed issues also were shown.

In the paper there were discussed factors which determine wear process intensity of shaft hoist rope. The ropes as the element or the elements set are appearing in numerous, diverse machines and mechanisms, fulfilling the most different functions in them. Mining shaft hoists are a very representative example of the object being used for a vertical transport, of both the staff of the mine and winning. Results of experimental investigations of rope were presented. Findings obtained different methods were compared.

Analiza porównawcza wybranych cech eksploatacyjnych lin określonych różnymi metodami Comparative analysis of some rope operational features obtained by different methods Prof. dr hab. inż. Michał Styp-Rekowski-Towarzystwo N-T Obrabiarek i Narzędzi SIMP; dr inż. Eugeniusz Mańka-Centrum Badań i Dozoru Górnictwa Podziemnego; dr hab. inż. Maciej Matuszewski-Uniwersytet Technologiczno-Przyrodniczy w Bydgoszczy, Wydział Inżynierii Mechanicznej.