Okay, recovery nerds...

[dremu]

I'm thinking one of these years I'm gonna replace my steel winch line with synthetic, so I'll then have a chunk of steel line to use as an extension, etc.

The one end is bare, however, so I'll wanna put a loop on it, or some kind of end. I've been reading Billavista's stuff until I'm dreary-eyed, so it looks like I could do a swaged end, or a thimble and a compression sleeve. (Neither of which I have the proper tool for, but I do have a hydraulic press... )

I am scared poopless by the safety ratings of the thimble plus clamps method, so that's out.

Any of y'all have any simple recommends?

-- A

 

[GotBoykins]

You could take it somewhere to have the ends pressed properly. I would just use 6 properly sized clamps staggering them (one points left, the next one points right). I have used that before and had no problems. Just inspect it before and after usage for any signs of slippage.

 

[YZEATER]

recovery bible
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Recovery/index.html

i'm reading it again, as i am making a couple of recovery cables.

 

[dremu]

As I said, I've been reading that. Curious to see what folks have done at home that's still safe.

As for the staggering thing, BV says it's bad and lists sources as to why...

Which is enough for me to be scared. Plus clamps even if done right are only ~70% efficient

-- A

 

[ThaMule]

well i disagree if you are saying that the above diagrams are not effective this is what CDX has the army tie their loads down with before they are loaded onto the rail cars to be taken to port and then shipped over seas. with that being said. we go through rigorous check after freaking check at the railhead to make sure everything passes inspection and those guys are d!cks and dont let you get away with anything. basically what i am saying is, the army uses this method to tie down loads in excess of 40,000 pounds. if done right it will work.

 

[gmc4cw]

I don't remember who I heard it from, mostly likely an old gentleman when I was doing tree work.

"don't saddle a dead horse"

what that means is when you are clamping cable like shown in the above diagrams the saddle needs to go on the live end of the wire. Its a goofy saying but it will stick with you.

We would winch huge logs and never had an end come apart. granted I checked the nuts on the u-bolts everyday as part of routine maintenance. I have an will continue to trust my life to a cable secured the way shown as long as I am the one checking the connection.

If I see that on someone elses winch, I getting as far out of range as possible after I lend them my weights.

leg weights for runners make great winch cable weights. just flop them over the cable and secure the velcro. they are usually very heavy and you can find them really cheap at garage sales.

I have one that look like this.
http://store.martialartsmart.net/20-81.html

 

[ThaMule]

oopppsss good point gmc4cw. CDX also checks all the tiedown points on everything everyday.

 

[dremu]

oopppsss good point gmc4cw. CDX also checks all the tiedown points on everything everyday.

Jah -- what I meant was the staggering clips is not the way to do it, as said.

Also, *for a winch cable* the clips in general is suspect as it severely reduces the capacity, which is questionable already... BV has lots of good info about why.

-- A

 

[ThaMule]

wasnt exactly sure what you were getting at in the earlier post but do now. i have to disagree with BV only because i have seen the cables and clamps in that exact configuration carry as assload of weight for two and three weeks at a time.

 

[bowtiepower00]

If clamps/ saddles/ whathaveyou are sufficiently strong enough for OSHA to approve them for Crane use, then IMO, you're not going to have any issues in your winching application, assuming you use the right size and install them correctly. If you're not jerking the load, which you shouldn't be doing anyway with steel winch or load line, you won't have any issues. If you find and use all Crosby (or other American made name brand parts) and assemble everything the way you're supposed to, you will not have any equipment related failures.

If you're going to get an end put (crimped/ pressed) on your line, have a pro do it. The equipment and ends used are specialized, and expensive, and there is a lot of liability involved. Depending on the condition of your winch rope, some places may not agree to do it.

Obiviously, whenever you're talking about load carrying equipment, or stuff that will cause injury in the event of breakage, frequent inspections are in order.

As stated before, Never Saddle a Dead Horse. Doing crane and equipment inspections it is amazing how often that advise gets ignored.

Before you reuse your cable, I would Mic it and make sure the diameter is still within spec for the size of cable you're using. Any stretching or damage to the individual wires means it's time for replacement.