This article presents experimental investigations to determine the influence of rotation speed on the bending fatigue lifetime of rotation-resistant rope and non-rotation-resistant rope. Heat generated by the rotation speed on steel wire rope samples has been measured by a thermal camera. Two sheaves with different diameters have been used to obtain the effect of sheave diameters on the heat alterations and bending fatigue lifetime. Two experimental tests have been conducted to determine the effect of insufficient lubrication on the bending fatigue lifetime. The results indicate that rotation speed affects the steel wire rope lifetime subjected to bending fatigue.