Spooling Synthetic (with pics)

[Master-Pull]

With the XD I have not had much of a problem with the rope cutting back through itself when we get it on there really tight. I do know what you mean and have had that happen to me when I used to use Amsteel Blue rope before I had my XD.

-Alex

 

[cjlewis]

Do you guys have an ETA on this new product? I am in the market for a new line and patitently waiting for what you guys have coming next

Cheers!

The nylon seems to help, we have had lines that had no sheathing come back melted and flattened whereas the nylon covered line is in better shape. Either way we have a new product that provides much more heat protection. I have it on my winch and we are just going through some final checks before it gets released for purchase.

-Alex

 

[Master-Pull]

Not yet, we are waiting for a few more things to line up, as it were. If that is holding you back from ordering a rope I can always upgrade your line once you have it to the new drum protector once it is available.

-Alex

 

[jfarsang]

Mine was spooled when duct tape was recomended to cover the first layer. It works ok and I get the resistance of the tape if I try to pull it out too far. What I don't like about yours Alex is the picture of the winch with all the line spooled on. It shows what a neat job somebody did. This is great for a steel cable but not so much for a synthetic. To spool a synthetic, chaotic and criss cross is the way too go. Synthetic is just so soft that it will burry it's self between the wraps and it gets wedged really tight when loaded. So tight you almost can't unspool it. When you power out it wraps itself backwards and is a mess especially when you need it in dire situation. If it's all criss crossed it can't burry down and unspools easy. It does not look as nice but in real world it's a better way spool synthetic. Maybe with the nice XD covered line you offer it's not an issue. That stuff is so nice it makes synthetic line look bad.

With the XD I have not had much of a problem with the rope cutting back through itself when we get it on there really tight. I do know what you mean and have had that happen to me when I used to use Amsteel Blue rope before I had my XD.

-Alex

So which is the best way to spool amsteel blue line ?

 

[Master-Pull]

When I spooled my Amsteel Blue I still preferred to have it spooled on there neatly, with plenty of tension applied while spooling it in.

-Alex

 

[adrenaline503]

Thanks, I just used this guide to spool my new Master Pull synthetic line I bought at the Overland Rally.

 

[Master-Pull]

Glad we could help, if you caught any of our recovery classes you may have seen a technique that Sam uses when we need to un-stick a line. basically you wrap hold the line in each hand with it running behind your waist and use your body weight to un-jam it if it cuts through the layers.

-Alex

 

[LR Max]

Quick question:

Do you recommend spooling in under "load"? Basically, dead pulling your rig under load while just spooling in?

For a while there, I just spooled it in with the line laying on the ground and just laid it in the drum all nice a pretty. Then a couple guys flipped out on me about how it "HAS TO BE UNDER LOAD" or something.

So does it matter? From the photos, it looks like you didn't pull it under load.

 

[mervifwdc]

I still have and use an amsteel blue rope I bought in 2000. I've used them on hydraulic and electric winches. Basically, you cannot spool them on too tightly. If you have the skills to safely use the winch, you have the skills to tightly spool it on.

Winching the vehicles weight uphill is usually enough, and if the hill is not steep enough, a little bit of the handbrake does the trick.

As to the weight question - these ropes float!

Merv.

 

[Eventhough]

Quick question:

Do you recommend spooling in under "load"? Basically, dead pulling your rig under load while just spooling in?

For a while there, I just spooled it in with the line laying on the ground and just laid it in the drum all nice a pretty. Then a couple guys flipped out on me about how it "HAS TO BE UNDER LOAD" or something.

So does it matter? From the photos, it looks like you didn't pull it under load.

Yes - spool your synthetic line in under load. The tighter it is would the less chance your line, when under a heavy recovery pull, will pull through line underlying layers and bind up.

 

[Master-Pull]

I have done it both ways, with Amsteel Blue I used to winch my rig up a slight incline and that worked great. Since I have had Superline XD I have always just used a person or two for body weight on the rope.

-Alex

 

[Sangster]

As to the weight question - these ropes float!

Merv.

So do cruise boats.

 

[Hill Bill E.]

I have done it both ways, with Amsteel Blue I used to winch my rig up a slight incline and that worked great. Since I have had Superline XD I have always just used a person or two for body weight on the rope.

-Alex

Last time I respooled my Superline XD, I had my boy sit in his sled, and I drug him across the yard:elkgrin:

It was a very slow 'thrill' ride!:coffeedrink:


I love the XD, and have never had a problem with it getting stuck within the wraps, even when spooled on hand tight.

All it's ever taken was a good tug by hand to pull it out.

Definitely much easier to do with the covered Superline XD than with non covered synthetic line.

 

[DamMan]

In response to some questions I have seen online and also ones that we received at the office I thought it would be good to show how to properly spool a synthetic rope on a winch drum.

It's important to make sure you get the rope going the correct way on the drum, on electric winches today the rope wraps under the drum as pictured. You can see where our drum link bolts to the winch and holds the rope in place when it is spooling. Make sure you always leave one full layer of wraps on the drum. This is what secures the rope when winching, the drum link is only there to hold the rope tight when it is being spooled on.

-Alex

Is there another way to attach the rope to a drum that has the drum link bolt? Somewhere I saw a method that ran the rope thru a hole in the drum and then a length of rope along the drum. I am concerned about the link bolt creating an abrasion point but my Warn winch doesn't have a hole in the drum so I am looking for a third alternative.

 

[opie]

Make a mark in 5.5" from the end you are going to attach to the drum. Lay that end across the drum so the mark you made meets the wall of the drum, either side doesnt matter. Tape the section you laid across to the drum so it will hold fast. Start spooling the line on over the section you laid across the drum. The 5.5" represents the minimum number of wraps you need to keep on the drum at all time. It will vary between 7 and 9 depending on how tight you spool it on and if its 5/16 or 3/8. I tag the end of the line with red electrical tape so that when you see the red tape, you know you need to stop taking line off. No need to count wraps.

I know there are thousands of winches using synthetic line and a side drum attachment without issue. But I would rather eliminate the possibility of the side attachment snagging fibers and prematurely wearing the rope. It works great with wire rope where it will not pull out individual strands as the wire rope will simply slide over it.