Steel or Synthetic Winch Rope

[Autumn Walker]

Personally I have never used synthetic, but I would like to run it on my next winch. It does a lot to decrease the weight on the front of your truck and is inherently safer than cable.

[Sugarphreak]

[quote name='Polar Bear' timestamp='1357044653' post='41573']

NIck, I must say this is totally awesome!! Great Video!



About the cable freezing up, that was a concern that I had. Does it affect the cable in any way or is it simply more difficult to pull out?



Thanks Bud!

[/quote]



Mine just gets really tough to pull out, in a recent case off-road I had to use the winch to spool it out because I couldn't physically pull it out. We were splashing through iced up creeks and it was freezing up fairly quickly.



With mine, because the radiator is pumping heat out right behind it, it usually doesn't completely freeze. I think it if it was front mounted or too far away from the radiator it could get soaked and then freeze solid.

[Sugarphreak]

[quote name='Polar Bear' timestamp='1357044653' post='41573']

NIck, I must say this is totally awesome!! Great Video!



About the cable freezing up, that was a concern that I had. Does it affect the cable in any way or is it simply more difficult to pull out?



Thanks Bud!

[/quote]



Mine just gets really tough to pull out, in a recent case off-road I had to use the winch to spool it out because I couldn't physically pull it out. We were splashing through iced up creeks and it was freezing up fairly quickly.



With mine, because the radiator is pumping heat out right behind it, it usually doesn't completely freeze. I think it if it was front mounted or too far away from the radiator it could get soaked and then freeze solid.

[Hesh]

[quote name='Polar Bear' timestamp='1357002320' post='41568']

Wow, if I used 5/16th line I could probably run 125feet or more on my winch! Is the reason you run only 80ft to prevent it from contacting on the winch mounting plate?[/quote]



No, the Warn unit that comes on the H1 is a modified version of their industrial 12k model offered to the public. It was modified to use a narrower drum so that it could fit between the frame rails of the H1. Not only that, but once the 5/16th's line's exterior protective sheath is considered, the 5/16ths is actually closer to 3/8ths in thickness (confirmed by Masterpull directly). Both of these dictated my choice (or 'forced my hand' lol) of a smaller run of cable.



[quote name='Polar Bear' timestamp='1357002320' post='41568']

I have the Master Pull Kinetic Tow Rope, Super Yanker 1 1/4"x30' 52,300lb

and I can tell you that despite the abuse that I have put it through in the last 6 years, it still looks like new and is not chaffed and definitely in great shape. I think that that rope is probably one of the best recovery tools that I own, especially since it eliminates any chance of damage to either vehicle during the recovery process.[/quote]



I fully agree, that for use in dynamic recoveries (yanks/tugs, etc. read: NON winch recoveries) the super-yanker is an absolute necessity for vehicles that are often the bigger vehicle in the pack. When appropriately sized/chosen, they make use of kinetic energy of a strap (and offer more stretch than traditional recovery straps) and can be relied upon when only smaller vehicles are on-hand to unstuck a larger truck. Not only that, like you say, it virtually eliminates almost any chance of damage to either vehicle given that you wont see sharp tugs/yanks on a frame, but rather more gradual transitions of force.



[quote name='Polar Bear' timestamp='1357002320' post='41568']

I do find the steel line crushes very easily and requires frequent respooling so that you don't damage the cable. I have never had a steel cable break, and I normally use multiple cable weights, but I always replace it before it gets to the point of being dangerous. With the XD line do you have to frequently clean it? I guess I have been concerned that during winter wheeling the XD would freeze up solid and would not be usable until it thaws out, not a problem with steel cable. Is this a possiblity in your experience.[/quote]



I have not found that it needs excessive cleaning, however given the placement of the winch on the H1, it is fairly protected from a lot of the elements, and also tends to stay warm enough on most trail days to keep from freezing. I havent had a winter trail-run or recovery where I havent been able to use the line because it was frozen. When used on more exposed winches (like a front hitch-mount setup or similiar), it is never a bad idea to run a hitch cover if you are worried about freezing. I dont typically wash the truck and then proceed to run it into -40, but I do clean it every now and again, nor do I find it needing to be respooled as often as steel. The XD isnt entirely maintenance-free, but is much less demanding than lesser products.



[quote name='Polar Bear' timestamp='1357002320' post='41568']

I also agree that safety is a major importance. But I frequently have to do snatch block pulls and most of the time there is a possibility of the cable contacting something during the pull, I guess by simply taking your time and making sure the rock guard sleeve is positioned to protect the cable this would not be an issue, right?



Have you ever used a snatch block with the Masterpull XD line?[/quote]



I have not used a snatch block with my XD line yet, but that is also because the snatch block that I do own is not for Syn-line use (certain pulleys/blocks are specifically for one or the other) plus I had run steel thru my pulley, and you cant run Syn thru a block/pulley that you've previously run steel thru. I did however keep my old steel line, and sometimes will have it packed on hand (depending on the trail or recovery I will be likely encountering that day) as it can come in handy as an extension line. A local cable shop here (works with cranes, elevator companies, and tow-truck operations) put an eyelet on the unfinished end that would typically be mounted into the drum.



Weird as it may seem, I really enjoy educating and discussing the ins and outs of recovery methods & scenarios, so Im always happy to keep the conversation going if you or anyone else had any questions. I always thought it would be really cool to offer a recovery service as a business for offroaders and to aid during inclement weather in the area, while offering clinics and training to weekend offroaders/hobbyists. After much thought though, I really dont think that in my local area this could be a means to sustain or supplement an income. There is far too little in the way of educating offroaders in the way of hands-on winching or recovery techniques and basics, and considering how dangerous and damaging these practices can be, that is an unsettling fact to me.

[shotgun-cam]

Rhino's original T-max winch was steel cable and hard to pull out his new winch though a heavier pull strength 10,500 lbs up from 9,000 lbs is much easier to pull out and handle. As always visual inspections help. Also there is a school in Oshawa (as I recall) that trains people in lifts and winching ( mainly industrial ) but if interedted I could find them and talk about a course and its cost.

[whitehumh2]

Hey Hesh,



I have been doing tons of research on Masterpulls site, it really is extraordinary!



I will be ordering some shortly and doing a similar set-up to you. Shorter on drum and supplement with a winch extension to keep the rope from getting damaged due to bunching up on the drum and to keep the pulling power as high as possible!



I am starting with new rope for my atvs and then the Hummer will come later this spring.



Thanks for the tips!



Btw, I will be ordering their snatch blocks since I do use it fairly often and I will need one that is rated for use with Synthetic rope!

[Hesh]

Awesome stuff, cant wait to hear back from you with on-hand experience and newly formed opinions <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... tongue.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':P' />



Im not sure if they sell directly any more, but they were extremely friendly and accommodating when I was dealing with them, both the young lady in reception, and the older gentleman with an accent who had a wealth of info to share.



Keep me/us posted!

[Gadgets]

Here's a question in regards to the synthetic rope on winches. Does it typically have a life span? I mean even if it is not used is there a time frame it in which it should be changed?

[Hesh]

Winch rope or cable of any kind will require regular visual inspections, however the life of Synthetic is all going to be relative to the environment its in. Synthetic rope could be compromised by UV, as mentioned, and depending on what sort of elements it encounters. If it is a lower grade syn-rope and is always encrusted in mud/sand, the particles of dried sand and mud will get lodged in the strands of the rope, which over time will degrade performance of the line, and break down the fibres of the load-bearing core. Masterpull has some EXCELLENT resources and info for anyone interested in Syn-rope be it their products, or other, as well as outlining key points in installation and maintenance. Ive included a link below the following quote -

From Masterpull's site - http://www.masterpull.com/rope-maintenance/



Open weave 12 strand winch ropes such as our Basic series are vulnerable to having dirt and grit damage the fibers. When dirt and grit become lodged in between the strands of the winch line they cause abrasion to the fibers when the winch line is put under a load. Overtime this can cause a breakdown in the integrity and strength of the rope.

http://www.masterpull.com/Off-Road/Winch-Lines/



Hopefully that answers some of your questions.

[Gadgets]

That is exactly what I was wondering about. My winch is new and only been used a couple times, but I like to know this stuff for future reference. What got me thinking about it was salt, being winter and all.



Thanks for the info it has been bookmarked! <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... ght_on.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':right_on:' />