Synthetic winch rope

[Bayou Boy]

What I did on my 8274 with Amsteel blue to combat this slipping into the warps was this.

Take a normal wrap the full width of the spool then go back to the other end quickly so you are going over 5-6 wraps below with one wrap above.
Repeat this until full.

This keeps the wraps from cutting between the wraps because the cross wraps stop them.

Wow that's kinda confusing.

 

[Tucson T4R]

What I did on my 8274 with Amsteel blue to combat this slipping into the warps was this.

Take a normal wrap the full width of the spool then go back to the other end quickly so you are going over 5-6 wraps below with one wrap above.
Repeat this until full.

This keeps the wraps from cutting between the wraps because the cross wraps stop them.

Wow that's kinda confusing.

Not confusing, that actualy makes good sense. Interesting idea.

 

[Bayou Boy]

I can't remember where I read that. I did a google search after I had my line cut into the wraps and respooled it like this.

I haven't actually made a pull yet to test it though.


eepwall:

 

[Kilroy]

Bill Burke demonstrates a method that won't bind up to reduce the length of a synthetic rope. I saw it in his DVD on recovery. Didn't pay as much attention as I should have as I don't have synthetic rope, yet.

I haven't seen any discussion as to whether it is possible to attach prusk lines (or related knots) to the blue line. It may be too slick. Plus the knots are a potential weak point.

paulj

 

[paulj]

Expedition Exchange has a couple of pictures of Bill shortening a line. I have copied it, but it looks to me as though it would weaken the line just like knots do. Basically he produces a chain of overhand loops, with each one holding the previous one open. The last is a marlin hitch. Over the shortening length the line is tripled.

paulj

 

[Alaska Mike]

What I did on my 8274 with Amsteel blue to combat this slipping into the warps was this.

Take a normal wrap the full width of the spool then go back to the other end quickly so you are going over 5-6 wraps below with one wrap above.
Repeat this until full.

This keeps the wraps from cutting between the wraps because the cross wraps stop them.

Wow that's kinda confusing.

We started doing that and had about 3 wraps on, but it was so greasy that it just buried itself anyway. Very frustrating. The fact that is was a thicker line might have had something to do with the problem. I doubt that it would have been an issue in a drier climate or with another rope.

This stuff was/is junk.

 

[SEREvince]

This stuff was/is junk.

Wow, one shot and done?

Anyway the reason I am reviving this post is I have found multiple sources for these lines at very good prices and I thought I'd share. You can also buy it much cheaper by the foot at marine supply sources about $.40 cheaper per ft.

Best price out the door line/thimble and hook that I have been able to find.
http://www.amsteelblue.com/item.cfm?itemid=44772

Also something good to know is that the winchline.com parent company Gourock undercuts thier own folks on eBay by a good margin and even throw in a free hat! Maybe due to overstocks in certain models?

$50 savings on 100' 5/16 FIRELINE

http://stores.ebay.com/Gourock-Netting-and-Rope-Products_Recovery-Gear_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ8QQftidZ2QQtZkm

If can find a synth line cheaper, let me know!

 

[paulj]

This page on spectra fishing line
http://www.fishingkites.co.nz/fishingknots/spectra_fishing_line.html
suggests threading the line through a length of braided dacron fishing line to significantly increase the strength of knotted line. The dacron keeps the spectra line from cutting itself.

It raises the possibility that strength of a knot in winch rope could be increased by incorporate a sheath into the knotted section. Some winch line already comes with a sheath. It might also be possible to thread winch line less than 1/2" in diameter through a length of 1" tubular nylon webbing (the common climber's webbing).

paulj

 

[seriessearcher]

Been there done that

I have snapped a steel line and never want to see it again. I am going with Rockstomper line out of CO. I know this post is way at the end of a long line of folks giving a lot of great information.

We were very lucky when my steel line snapped.

 

[SEREvince]

Impulse buy!

I couldn't pass up the OD green FIRELINE! I'm a sucker for anti-bling what can I say?

Can you say cool? Stable up to 450 degrees, with a 13K breaking strength!

$50 off of the price on Winchline.com (same company) Plus a free hat:wings:

http://stores.ebay.com/Gourock-Netting-and-Rope-Products_Recovery-Gear_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ8QQftidZ2QQtZkm

 

[paulj]

Rope on BC ferry

Here's a shot of one of the mooring lines on a British Columbia ferry. Note that an armored thimble has been spliced into the line, and cable sling spliced into that to take the actual wear and tear on the dock.

Actually in this picture there are two lines. One coiled on the wood pallet, the other hitched to the mooring bits.

paulj

 

[craig]

I couldn't pass up the OD green FIRELINE! I'm a sucker for anti-bling what can I say?

Can you say cool? Stable up to 450 degrees, with a 13K breaking strength!

$50 off of the price on Winchline.com (same company) Plus a free hat:wings:

http://stores.ebay.com/Gourock-Netting-and-Rope-Products_Recovery-Gear_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ8QQftidZ2QQtZkm

Only 13k? Is that suitable for vehicle recovery?

Craig

 

[SEREvince]

Only 13k? Is that suitable for vehicle recovery?

Craig

That's 13,000lbs or almost 6000 kilos

I believe that the 5/16 wire rope equiped on most 8000lb winches is only good to about 9000lbs.

It also depends on the vehicle,

Unimog = probably not enough
Tacoma = More than enough

 

[ntsqd]

It has been my observation that self recovery winches do not adhere to rigging industry safety standards. Where industry would want at least a 2:1 F.S. (more in Man-lift or overhead situations) the self recovery products are barely more than 1:1 I believe this is why every self recovery winch has the "Not to be used for Hoisting Operations" disclaimer.
At least with 13k line on an 8k winch the F.S. is 1.625:1

 

[Photog]

Factor of Safety (F.S.)

The 13,000 lb breaking strength is determined in a lab, under ideal conditions. When you place a thimble, or any other device in or on the line, you will reduce the ultimate tensile strength of the "system". Then, considering the way the line may be entering the fairlead, the breaking strength will also be reduced. Then, how the line is laying onto the drum also reduces line strengh.

So; with a 13,000 lb "LAB" strength for the line, you may have an actual "working" strength of 7,000 - 10,000 lbs. Depending on how poorly you take care of the synthetic rope, or the poor riging practices, your line could easily be the weak link. At least the synthetic line would not kill anyone, if it broke; but a vehicle might roll backwards down something dangerous, if a line were to break.

One more thing to consider. If you are winching your vehicle up a rough spot, or out of the mud, the force necessary to move the vehicle, can easily be 2x or 3x the weight of the vehicle. An 8000lb winch won't be enough for a Tacoma. Luckily, we only need a "boost", most of the time, and the winch does the job. But, when you REALLY need it, the little winch might not be able to get the job done. You might need another vehicle with a winch to assist, or a High-Lift to get your axles out of the mud first, then pull, etc...