I got a smokin' deal on a used Warn winch, but the cable was a rats nest. I unspooled it all and found a few ugly places. The one pictured is the worst. Can it be safely used?
CK5
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Is this winch cable shot?
- Thread starter Mastiff
- Start date
Yes it's shot. For the most part. It could be used in an emergency and I have seen worse work. I have also seen a cable like that snap. And that's freaking scary how fast they flip around when they break
tow guy here .
even we would replace it . just not worth it for many reasons .
maybe time to upgrade to synthetic ? ? ?
even we would replace it . just not worth it for many reasons .
maybe time to upgrade to synthetic ? ? ?
I've seen qualified riggers with the right ends use the left overs of a cable like that for an extension. They had some different looking ends so they were held together and still as stong. Not sure it carried the same rating as before though.
beags86
Eastbound and Down
Thanks for the help. I guess I'm going shopping.
Upgrading to synthetic rope is a good idea... It does not store energy like steel cable and if it does break it will not fly back and potentially kill you or someone else or break the winshield of your truck... Etc.
Yeah, my concerns are (1) will the Arizona sun destroy it, and (2) will it work with my roller fairlead? My new bumper isn't even installed yet, but the fairlead mount was sort of designed around the roller style.
They work with the roller fair lead as long as it new and smooth.
And keep the winch covered
And keep the winch covered
Came across this, rubbery rollers for synthetic rope.
What kind of rope is best?
What kind of rope is best?
It's synthetic winch cable, not actual rope. There are a bunch of big names that are $$$ and then there are a bunch of generics that are way more affordable and reasonably priced. IMO I would just get a cheap one unless you are going to be using it a TON or competing with your rig, then I would look at a higher end one since they probably are a higher grade, better quality product.
Also, not sure how much those rollers are but you could probably get an aluminum hawse fairlead for the same price or a few dollars more and it is less bulky and prone to problems then the roller fairleads.
after working with log skidders, locomotive pulling winches, and overhead bridge cranes up 70 ton capacity, I'm not sold on the synthetic winch cable myself. it is very fragile under tension and will rapidly wear out if used much, even if used very carefully.
my winches are spooled with cable.
my winches are spooled with cable.
Warn calls the metal cable "wire rope", so I was running with "synthetic wire rope"...
Sadly, it's about cosmetics. My new bumper has a fairlead mount that would look weird with a hawse. I haven't even installed it, so I'm not very motivated to start modifying it.
Gotchya
