I'd like those soft shackles without the pulley for attaching to newer tow hooks that aren't open on the end.
CK5
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'89 R3500 Crew Cab 2wd to 4wd conversion & beyond
- Thread starter mrk5
- Start date
Started out with 2wd TBI350 with SM465 to current 4wd with 454, 700r4, NP241
We've pretty much gone to using the soft shackles exclusively except for the one guy that's too cheap to buy them.....
I still have to use a d-ring to attached to my recovery points because the edges of the holes in my tabs are too sharp. When the distributor failed, we used a soft shackle on the tow strap and eventually it broke where it was rubbing on the edge of the hole. The edges aren't super sharp like you'd cut your finger, but sharp enough to create stress point.
The best thing is using the soft shackles if you need to join 2 straps together. That way if something breaks you don't have flying heavy objects.
I still have to use a d-ring to attached to my recovery points because the edges of the holes in my tabs are too sharp. When the distributor failed, we used a soft shackle on the tow strap and eventually it broke where it was rubbing on the edge of the hole. The edges aren't super sharp like you'd cut your finger, but sharp enough to create stress point.
The best thing is using the soft shackles if you need to join 2 straps together. That way if something breaks you don't have flying heavy objects.
I swear by soft shackles now. Way less dangerous (in most situations) and easier to handle and use.
Soft shackles have many uses.....
Right on. I was wondering the diameter of the sheave, because to have a true mechanical advantage of 2:1 minus whatever friction decrease there is, IIRC you need a ratio of 20:1 based on the diameter of the rope. That also may not be the case with fibre core, and synthetic fiber rope, but it may be something to consider when contemplating what kind of advantage you will gain from the snatch block (If using back to the vehicle). I imagine these are used alot to just simply change the angle of your winch rope, and the anchor point?Depends on your rope size. This one works for 5/16 to 1/2 inch, which is stnadard winch stuff. I wouldn't run cable through it though.
How do you inspect the rope for stresses and deformations, is there colored tell tail threads in there or anything?
I know BC hydro uses synthetic rope on their pole trucks, and there is synthetic hoisting rope as well, but ive yet to see it in real life on any crane. And This whole soft shackle thing... isnt it just rope with knot though?
Right on. I was wondering the diameter of the sheave, because to have a true mechanical advantage of 2:1 minus whatever friction decrease there is, IIRC you need a ratio of 20:1 based on the diameter of the rope. That also may not be the case with fibre core, and synthetic fiber rope, but it may be something to consider when contemplating what kind of advantage you will gain from the snatch block (If using back to the vehicle). I imagine these are used alot to just simply change the angle of your winch rope, and the anchor point?
How do you inspect the rope for stresses and deformations, is there colored tell tail threads in there or anything?
I know BC hydro uses synthetic rope on their pole trucks, and there is synthetic hoisting rope as well, but ive yet to see it in real life on any crane. And This whole soft shackle thing... isnt it just rope with knot though?
From what I understand the soft shackles are made out of the same material as synthetic winch rope.
I bought a pair of them to carry. I have yet to use them but watching guys that pretty much use them on a daily basis pretty much sold me on the use. Rory with trailmater in Moab and Matt’s Off Road recovery in Sand Hollow both have solid YouTube channels and both almost always use the soft shackles. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen them use a metal bow shackle.
But watching the crew from Matt’s hook onto a 40 foot diesel pusher coach with a soft shackle and kinetic rope and yank it out of a hole it was in sold me.
I imagine that @bix Has similar thoughts as I do. He is in cranes, I was in heavy wreckers. Steel was how stuff gets moved!! Steel wire rope, shackles, chains and sheaves. Take care of the cables and equipment, use them properly, and get the work done. Knowing the WLL and breaking strength of everything was important. I learned to trust myself and my equipment, but keep safety in there too. Steel wire rope will pull hard repeatedly for years when taken care of.
I have to learn to adjust and embrace new technology. Probably going to swap the cable out on my rig sometime soon, just to try this new stuff..
I have to learn to adjust and embrace new technology. Probably going to swap the cable out on my rig sometime soon, just to try this new stuff..
I absolutely see the need for the synthetic stuff. Wire rope and hoisting with cranes isnt putting unknown stresses on stuff. You know your single line pull, you know what reeving options you have for mechanical advantage and you know the cranes structural, and tipping capacities at whatever radius. Youre trained to take every thing into account, plus there shouldnt ever be resistance to hoisting because you have sheaves, and bearings ect.. In the bush you dont know how heavy your rig is when its sunken into the mud, you dont know how strong the stump your using as an achor is ect.. so the extra need for safety is needed 100% with so many unknowns. If i come across like im doubting the stuff, i dont at all. Just more curious about the rules and techniques used with it, and peoples experiences.
Is there a safety standard for a safety factor designed in those? Hoisting shackles, slings and wire rope have a safety factor of 5:1 , while standing ropes have a factor of 3.5:1 vertically, and horizontally 2:1 ect ect..
Ive never been too comfortable standing near a wire rope winch line in the bush. I always start to wonder.. does he lubricate this cable...inspect it for wear and broken strands... does he know the 6 / 3.5 broken strand rules, and so on... Id feel way more focused on the handful of recoveries ive been on, if i wasnt always thinking about the wire rope, or steel components breaking. Ive seen steel fail multiple times in my career and its not pretty. Ive also blown apart synthetic stuff too, which ends alot faster and with a way softer blow as the stored energy is released.
Also probably going to order a couple soft shackles and bring them up the towers with me and see where i could put them to use. Any brands you guys would suggest?
ill stop derailing now...
ill stop derailing now...
I think it's funny @6872xtc calls synthetic winchline "new" technology. I've been using it for at least 12 years. 
I've only had 1 synthetic line break and that was on the Snowmaggedon run in 2015. The line got too close to a tree. I was using the line protector already for another spot. Now I carry 2 protective sleeves just in case.
I wish I had video of the yellow YJ from the last time we ran the Chutes on Kelly Flats. His steel line was making scary noises!
I thought for sure it was going to break.
I have Bubba Rope soft shackles. There are tons of them on Amazon but I'd rather have a good brand knowing that we're going to connect them to kinetic ropes and yank the shit out of a truck buried frame deep in the snow. I'd stick with brands like Bubba Rope, Warn, and MasterPull. I know there are others, but those are the ones that come to mind.
I've only had 1 synthetic line break and that was on the Snowmaggedon run in 2015. The line got too close to a tree. I was using the line protector already for another spot. Now I carry 2 protective sleeves just in case.
I wish I had video of the yellow YJ from the last time we ran the Chutes on Kelly Flats. His steel line was making scary noises!
I thought for sure it was going to break.At least is all good techy type stuff.Also probably going to order a couple soft shackles and bring them up the towers with me and see where i could put them to use. Any brands you guys would suggest?
ill stop derailing now...
I have Bubba Rope soft shackles. There are tons of them on Amazon but I'd rather have a good brand knowing that we're going to connect them to kinetic ropes and yank the shit out of a truck buried frame deep in the snow. I'd stick with brands like Bubba Rope, Warn, and MasterPull. I know there are others, but those are the ones that come to mind.
Id have amnesia before i brought a shackle off amazon up a crane with me.
I agree 100%!
Factor 55, I have a couple of soft shackles from them. They put tags on their shackles with a serial number, working load limit and minimum breaking strength. They also have videos on their site showing how they test them.Also probably going to order a couple soft shackles and bring them up the towers with me and see where i could put them to use. Any brands you guys would suggest?
ill stop derailing now...
Yea I should have clarified that I need a working load limit, and where it was made at a minimum for CSA approval on sites.
Thanks man I'll look into them 100%
Put the new winch to the test doing some snow bashing.
I haven't had rear bump stops since shortening the wheelbase. With the new rear springs, it was something I wanted to get done. I still plan on towing the camper, so it seemed like I could kill 2 birds with 1 stone and install the air bags to also serve as bump stops. The manufacturer says to run a minimum 5psi so they will provide resistance even when not towing.
I was short on time before our trail run, so I had to temporary mount the inflation line.
I noticed I have a dead air bump on the passenger front. Gonna have to recharge it.
Other side for comparison.
I was short on time before our trail run, so I had to temporary mount the inflation line.
I noticed I have a dead air bump on the passenger front. Gonna have to recharge it.
Other side for comparison.
They seemed to work well on the trail. Truck felt a little more stable.
Do they limit your droop?
