Synthetic winch line tech

[MTBLAZER89]

My most thoughtful and loving wife bought me some Master Pull winch line for Christmas. 85' of 3/8 line.

I've never ran anything but cable so I was hoping to get a thread going on this stuff.

What are the do's and don'ts, precautions, maintenance..etc.

 

[dhcomp]

Just searched though the pirate recovery bible, and not one mention of syntehtic rope.

There has got to be a good writeup on synthetic rope.

And in case you havent' read this, or for the greater good of all that participate in recovery, here is the pirate 4x4 recovery bible. If you read this and come away with just 5% of it, you will be safer on the trail.

http://pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Recovery/index.html

 

[Randy92782]

I'm thinkin abot gettin this myself. I still have not went through my winch and cleaned it up. Haven't even got a bumper for it yet

 

[Adventurous 4x4]

Outside of tring to avoid dragging it over stuff when winching there isn't much more to say. I have been using rope for several years and have abused the crap out of mine and done quite a few things with it that I probably shouldn't have. I think you will be happy with it.

 

[Randy92782]

Well i'd like to be able to come here and get info on breaking strengths and what size line for what winch or rig. Like he's got 3/8ths line on his Warn (i'm assuming here) 9.5

I have the Warn 8274 and have no idea what size line to go with. Never hurts to go big but it gets expensive too.

 

[Adventurous 4x4]

Well i'd like to be able to come here and get info on breaking strengths and what size line for what winch or rig. Like he's got 3/8ths line on his Warn (i'm assuming here) 9.5

I have the Warn 8274 and have no idea what size line to go with. Never hurts to go big but it gets expensive too.

3/8" on a full size is what I recommend to customers. Here is some information for you.

http://www.masterpull.com/cpage.cfm?cpid=197

 

[Randy92782]

Would ya suggest just the thimble and a clevis or one with the hooks?

 

[MTBLAZER89]

I think my max weight is 18k on the 3/8 line. 85' is as much as you can fit on the average winch.

Is it safe to use a snatch block with the line? Do they make a special one for synthetic line.

I am planning on purchasing a sheath for covering the line in situations where it may rub.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

I think my max weight is 18k on the 3/8 line. 85' is as much as you can fit on the average winch.

Is it safe to use a snatch block with the line? Do they make a special one for synthetic line.

I am planning on purchasing a sheath for covering the line in situations where it may rub.

I believe I run 100' of 3/8" synthetic rope on my 8274.

You can certainly use a snatch block, many will recommend you get a brand new snatch block (there isn't a special one for synthetic) but i just made sure there weren't any burrs in the one I had and used it with no problems.

The sheath is a really good idea, I've already destroyed one but the rope was undamaged, way worth it.

 

[35dp]

I really liked my rope but on a really hard pull it would pull the rope down into the layers under the top layer and would bind it up and made free spooling it out a PITA, almost had to hook it to a four wheeler or something to get it unwrapped a few times, on the steel cable I could just power the winch out when it did that but on the rope I couldnt.

 

[Adventurous 4x4]

I really liked my rope but on a really hard pull it would pull the rope down into the layers under the top layer and would bind it up and made free spooling it out a PITA, almost had to hook it to a four wheeler or something to get it unwrapped a few times, on the steel cable I could just power the winch out when it did that but on the rope I couldnt.

If you had a problem like that then most likely it wasn't spooled on the winch tight enough. I ususally have to resool my winch a couple times a year to avoid that due to how much I use it. I hook it to a tree and drag the truck to it.

 

[Adventurous 4x4]

I think my max weight is 18k on the 3/8 line. 85' is as much as you can fit on the average winch.

Is it safe to use a snatch block with the line? Do they make a special one for synthetic line.

I am planning on purchasing a sheath for covering the line in situations where it may rub.

100' will fit on most winches which is what I am running.

Yes, a snatch block is safe.

The sheath is a good idea, I use mine quite a bit.

 

[Adventurous 4x4]

Would ya suggest just the thimble and a clevis or one with the hooks?

That is really personal choise. I run a hook.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

I really liked my rope but on a really hard pull it would pull the rope down into the layers under the top layer and would bind it up and made free spooling it out a PITA, almost had to hook it to a four wheeler or something to get it unwrapped a few times, on the steel cable I could just power the winch out when it did that but on the rope I couldnt.

I spool my rope onto the winch at a bit of an angle (back and forth) to avoid this problem

 

[MTBLAZER89]

Great info here I figured the snatch block was ok, but I refused to use one on Sat because I didn't know the condition of it, and didn't know if there was a special one for rope.

 

[Randy92782]

Great info here I figured the snatch block was ok, but I refused to use one on Sat because I didn't know the condition of it, and didn't know if there was a special one for rope.

And this is why you started the thread

I know what to order now when I go to do it

 

[blazinzuk]

I would add if you use it in mud wash it off soon. I don't know what the manufacturer says but in the mud we have around here it really eats away at the line. Good stuff wish I had some

 

[Adventurous 4x4]

I would add if you use it in mud wash it off soon. I don't know what the manufacturer says but in the mud we have around here it really eats away at the line. Good stuff wish I had some

That is usually when I respool mine. I pull it out to clean and inspect. I have been running Amsteel Blue for the last 4 years with no complaints but I do plan to switch to Master-Pull Superline XD at some point. The XD is expensive but it's the cats meow of winch rope in my oponion. We have that on the Bronco and I like it. The cover along the entire length of the rope is nice for protecting it from mud and abrasion.