Published empty weights
| Flange (in) | Example reel (F × T × D) | Empty weight | Rated cable load |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | 24 × 12 × 10 | 23 lb | 350 lb |
| 30 | 30 × 18 × 12 | 39 lb | 950 lb |
| 36 | 36 × 18 × 12 / 36 × 24 × 17 | 64 / 77 lb | 1,900 / 2,000 lb |
| 42 | 42 × 26 × 18 | 90 / 100 lb | 1,500 / 3,000 lb |
| 45 | 45 × 28 × 21 | 106 / 116 lb | 1,500 / 3,500 lb |
| 50 | 50 × 32 × 24 | 143 / 177 lb | 3,000 / 4,800 lb |
| 58 | 58 × 32 × 28 | 187 / 266 lb | 3,000 / 6,500 lb |
| 62 | 62 × 34 × 32 | 256 / 347 lb | 4,500 / 7,000 lb |
| 72 | 72 × 36 × 36 | 335 / 559 lb | 4,500 / 8,000 lb |
| 84 | 84 × 54 × 48 | 639 / 920 lb | 6,000 / 12,000 lb |
| 96 | 96 × 54 × 56 | 816 / 1,199 lb | 6,000 / 12,000 lb |
| 108 | 108 × 60 × 56 | 1,809 lb | not given |
The Okonite Company, Technical News Edition 33, "Reel Anatomy", November 2016. Where two figures are given, the heavier is a stronger build rated for more cable.
What changes the weight
- Build strength. The same dimensions come in standard and heavy-duty builds, and the heavy one can weigh half as much again.
- Moisture. Wood takes on water. A reel that's stood through a wet spring in a laydown yard weighs noticeably more than a dry one of the same build.
- Fasteners and hardware. Steel arbor plates, bolts, and drive pins all add weight.
- Leftover cable. A few dozen feet of heavy copper cable can add more weight than the reel itself.
- Mud and concrete. Packed earth inside the traverse and splashes on the flanges add up fast.
Weight and handling
| Empty weight | Practical handling |
|---|---|
| Under about 80 lb | Two people can lift and load it, with care |
| About 80 to 300 lb | Roll it, ramp it, or use a forklift; don't lift by hand |
| About 300 to 600 lb | Forklift or telehandler; check the forks' rated load at the reel's centre |
| Over about 600 lb | Rated forklift, telehandler or crane, with a spotter |
Rolling a reel moves its weight, it doesn't remove it. A 500 lb reel rolling down a slope has momentum that one person can't stop. The guide to moving large spools covers safer methods.
Weight and trucks
Empty reels almost never hit a truck's weight limit. A 48 ft flatbed is built to haul tens of thousands of pounds, and even sixteen heavy 72 in reels at about 560 lb each come to under 9,000 lb. Deck space runs out long before weight does, which is why we plan loads by flange size and count, not by tonnage. Our guide to how many reels fit on a flatbed has the numbers.
Estimating a weight you don't know
If your reel isn't in a table, find the nearest flange size above and below, and expect something between them. For a quick check, a forklift with a load indicator or a pallet scale will settle it. For a quote, a photo and the flange size are enough; we don't need an exact weight to plan a pickup.
Weight when buying a reel to carry cable
If you're buying an empty reel to wind cable onto, the empty weight matters less than the rated cable load. Add the cable's weight per foot times its length, compare that with the reel's rating, and choose a stronger build if you're close to the limit. Overloading a reel crushes staves and cracks flanges, usually at the worst moment.
Plastic and steel compared
Plastic spools are much lighter than wooden reels of similar diameter, which is one reason they're used for small data and control cable. Steel reels are much heavier, built for repeated trips, and usually belong to someone. Weights for those depend heavily on the maker, so check the stencil or ask the owner.
Wet versus dry, in practice
You can feel the difference. A reel that's dried out over a hot summer rolls lighter and sounds hollow when knocked. One pulled from standing water feels dead and heavy, and its bottom staves may darken and soften. If you're planning lifts with a small machine near its limit, allow for that extra water weight.
Questions
How much does a 48 inch wooden reel weigh?
Okonite lists 45 in reels at 106 to 116 lb and 50 in reels at 143 to 177 lb, so expect roughly 110 to 180 lb.
Why do two reels of the same size weigh different amounts?
Different builds, different wood and different moisture.
Can my pickup truck carry a 72 inch reel?
The weight may be within its payload, but the reel won't fit safely in most beds. Use a trailer.