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Recovery Winch Ropes: Synthetic or Steel Cable?

Synthetic rope is safer than steel cable.

When recovery winches first came out on the market, they all came with steel winch cable. Now there’s a new kid on the block: synthetic winch rope. While some offroaders are skeptical of the long-term durability of synthetic rope, others have made the switch and say they’re never going back.

Winch Rope Safety

What’s so special about synthetic winch rope? The biggest advantage, according to most offroaders, is safety. While steel winch cable can snap back violently if it breaks, synthetic rope is lighter and stores less kinetic energy, which means that it doesn’t go very far if it snaps.

We’ve all heard stories about steel cable shattering windshields or causing serious injuries. No one wants that to happen when they’re out for a trail ride…especially if the kids are along. Synthetic winch rope makes recovery operations safer.

Advantages of Synthetic Rope

Besides safety, there are other reasons you might choose synthetic rope over steel cable. Synthetic winch rope is lightweight (less weight hanging off the front of your Jeep), flexible, floats in water, and is easier on your hands—no barbs, no freezing, and no burning.

What About Steel Cable?

Is steel cable ever preferred over synthetic? Yes, if you mainly use your recovery winch for utility tasks like yard work, landscaping, and farm chores. Wire cable holds up better under abrasive conditions.

Synthetic Rope Care

Synthetic winch rope is more expensive than steel cable and requires more care. The synthetic fibers should be protected from the sun (excessive UV exposure can break down the fibers), and you should never leave the rope muddy or wet when spooled on the drum.

Tags: Recovery Winches, Steel Winch Cable, Synthetic Winch Rope, Winch Cable, Winch Cable Replacement
Posted in Offroad Recovery, Synthetic Winch Rope | No Comments »

Tips for Using a Recovery Winch Rope

Written By: Esther
December 28th, 2011 | Filed under Offroad Recovery, Synthetic Winch Rope, Winching Techniques | No Comments »Tags: Offroad Recovery, Recovery Winches, Steel Winch Cable, Synthetic Winch Rope, Winch Cable, Wireless Winch Remote

The winch rope should spool in tight, even rows onto the drum.

1. Don’t spool out all of the cable.

Always keep at least 5 wraps on the drum. Leaving a few wraps on the drum helps anchor the winch cable in place. The rope attachment to the drum is not designed to hold a load by itself.

Expert Tip: If your cable is too short, choose a closer anchor point, use a longer tree strap or chain, or hook up a cable extension.

2. Avoid continuous side pulls.

They place a strain on your recovery winch and allow the rope to pile up on one end of the drum. If the rope gets pinched in the winch housing, your rope or winch could be damaged.

Expert Tip: As much as possible, rig up the pull in a direct line from the stuck vehicle. Use a pulley block to redirect the pull if needed.

3. Avoid shock loads.

Use the winch remote to take up any slack in the rope. The rope should be under tension before beginning the winching process. Shock loads can momentarily exceed the winch rating, which is dangerous for your equipment and for any bystanders.

Expert Tip: Pulse the winch remote intermittently to wind the rope until no slack remains.

4. Watch how the winch rope spools onto the drum.

Don’t let it pile up on one side or get nested into the inner layers. The winch cable should spool in tight, even rows across the drum.

Expert Tip: If the cable stacks unevenly on one side of the drum, spool out the uneven section of rope and reposition it to the opposite end of the winch drum.

5. Never use a winch rope for towing or snatching another vehicle.

Use a snatch strap to free a stuck vehicle with a shock load, and use a tow rope to tow another vehicle at a slow, steady pace. A winch rope is also not meant to hold a load in place.

Expert Tip: Snatch straps are stretchy (to handle shock loads), while tow ropes do not stretch (to pull another vehicle behind you).

Tags: Offroad Recovery, Recovery Winches, Steel Winch Cable, Synthetic Winch Rope, Winch Cable, Wireless Winch Remote
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Wire Winch Rope Safety

Written By: Esther
December 21st, 2011 | Filed under Offroad Recovery, Synthetic Winch Rope, Winch Maintenance | No Comments »Tags: Steel Winch Cable, Winch Cable, Winch Cable Replacement, Winch Rope Maintenance, Winch Safety

Use the winch strap and leather gloves to spool out winch cable.

Handling wire winch rope is one of the hazards of using an electric winch. Although steel cable is rugged and durable in tough winching conditions, it can also be dangerous if handled carelessly. Here are a few tips on learning to handle wire winch rope safely.

Hand Protection

First off, protect your hands. Stray wires from the cable can tear up your skin if you’re not careful. Wear thick leather gloves any time you handle winch cable, and do not let the rope run through your hands. Grab hold of the winch saver strap to spool out cable, and use the hand-over-hand method to guide the cable back onto the spool.

Dampen the Cable

Although the chances of your winch cable breaking are low, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Dampen the winch cable by draping a heavy mover’s blanket or similar object over the rope. Place it about midway between the winch and the anchor point. Even a tree branch, heavy winter coat, or a length of chain draped over the winch cable will work in a pinch.

If the cable happens to break during the winching process, the extra weight will slow down the backlash effect. Just like a rubber band, your wire rope can snap back if broken. Besides dampening the cable, make sure bystanders are standing well out of the cable’s path. The winch operator should also be careful to stand out of the cable’s path as well. If you are operating the winch from inside your vehicle, consider raising the hood for an extra measure of protection in case the winch rope fails.

Winch Cable Replacement

Check your winch rope often for signs of damage. If your cable shows signs of deterioration beyond the usual wear and tear, replace the cable before using your winch again. For safer cable, consider switching to synthetic winch rope.

Tags: Steel Winch Cable, Winch Cable, Winch Cable Replacement, Winch Rope Maintenance, Winch Safety
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Choosing Synthetic or Wire Winch Rope

Written By: Esther
July 28th, 2011 | Filed under Choosing a Winch, Synthetic Winch Rope | No Comments »Tags: Steel Winch Cable, Synthetic Winch Rope, Winch Cable, Winch Cable Replacement

Synthetic winch rope is lighter and safer than steel cable.

Whether you’re looking for a new winch or replacing a damaged winch rope, one of the choices you need to make is whether to get a wire rope or synthetic cable. Wire rope is the most widely available choice, and it’s been in use for a long time. Synthetic cable is newer to the offroad scene, but it’s quickly growing in popularity. Here are some of the pros and cons of wire and synthetic rope.

Types of Use

If you’re planning to use your winch mainly for utility tasks (yard work, landscaping, farm chores, and the like), you’re better off with a wire cable. Wire holds up better under abrasion.

If you use your winch mostly for mudding and creek bogging, synthetic is the better choice. It’s lightweight, easy to handle, and floats in water.

Safety

One of the biggest drawbacks for steel cable is the fact that it holds so much tension. If the cable gets damaged and snaps, it can backlash violently, damaging anything or anyone in its path. That’s why experts recommend dampening the winch line with a heavy blanket, coat, chain, or tree branch. The extra weight slows the cable down and reduces the backlash effect.

Synthetic cable, on the other hand, doesn’t store the same amount of energy as steel, so even if the synthetic rope breaks, it rarely causes damage. It’s a lot safer for you, for your equipment, and for the people who ride with you.

Price

Wire rope is cheaper than synthetic rope, but depending on how much you value the safety and advantages of synthetic rope, the extra cost is more than worth it. If possible, ask a friend with synthetic rope if you can try out their winch. Ask what they like and don’t like about using synthetic rope. Their experience can help you make the decision between wire and synthetic winch rope.

Tags: Steel Winch Cable, Synthetic Winch Rope, Winch Cable, Winch Cable Replacement
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Can I Attach a Snatch Strap to a Winch Cable?

Written By: Esther
March 4th, 2011 | Filed under Offroad Recovery, Recovery Winch Accessories, Winching Techniques | No Comments »Tags: Offroad Recovery, Recovery Strap, Snatch Strap, Steel Winch Cable, Synthetic Winch Rope, Winch Cable

Unlike a snatch strap, winch rope is not designed to stretch.

If you’re short on winch cable, you might be tempted to hook up a snatch strap for an extension, but this can be a dangerous fix. Snatch straps and winch cables (wire or synthetic) are made for different purposes.

Snatch Straps

Snatch straps are designed to stretch and be able to handle shock loads. They can handle enormous amounts of force but only for the second that it takes to yank out a stuck vehicle. Then they immediately return to their normal length. Holding a snatch strap steady at its peak rated load can render the strap useless if it stretches to the point that it will no longer return to normal length.

Winch Cables

Winch cables are designed for steady pulls that require little or no stretch. For winch recovery, it’s important that the cable has no stretch for two reasons: 1) any stretch in the rope means that it takes more length of rope before the stuck vehicle will move, and 2) if the cable breaks, it will be less likely to act as a slingshot for shackles, snatch blocks, and other metal winch accessories. Because a winch cable has little or no stretch, it can easily be damaged by shock loads.

Using a Snatch Strap as an Extension

What happens when you connect a snatch strap to a winch cable? Combining these two materials increases the danger of the recovery process. If the winch line were to break, the snatch strap with its elastic nature could greatly increase the danger of projectiles, such as a D-shackle. The strap and cable have different breaking points, which complicates the amount of force that your recovery gear can handle.

In the end, it’s best to avoid combining a snatch strap and winch rope, both for the safety of people nearby and to avoid damaging your vehicle. Stick to safe and recommended techniques for winch recovery.

Tags: Offroad Recovery, Recovery Strap, Snatch Strap, Steel Winch Cable, Synthetic Winch Rope, Winch Cable
Posted in Offroad Recovery, Recovery Winch Accessories, Winching Techniques | No Comments »

How to Replace a Winch Cable

Written By: Esther
March 2nd, 2011 | Filed under Synthetic Winch Rope, Winch Installation, Winch Maintenance | No Comments »Tags: Steel Winch Cable, Synthetic Winch Rope, Winch Cable, Winch Cable Replacement

Replace the cable on your winch with the same diameter and length.

When replacing the cable on your ATV or recovery winch, use the cable width and length recommended by the manufacturer. Never replace cable with heavier or lighter rope. If the cable is too thick, you won’t be able to fit as much cable on the spool. If it’s too thin, it won’t have enough strength for the load rating on the winch.

If preferred, you can switch to synthetic rope for safer winching, plus no frayed wire or kinked cable.

You do not need to remove the winch from the vehicle (unless the winch is mounted in a way that restricts access to the drum) or take the winch apart to replace the cable.

How to Replace Wire Winch Cable

Spool out the entire length of the old cable.

Remove the winch cable where it is attached to the drum. Release the tension on the cable and push on the end of the cable where it feeds through the small hole in the drum. If the rope is kinked over and pulled tight into the drum, simply push the cable out of the hole until you can straighten out the kinked cable. Then pull the end of the cable through the hole to remove it from the drum. If the cable will not come out by pushing, try using a pin punch (or something similar) and a hammer to drive the metal button or keeper out of the hole. If your cable is attached to the drum with a bolt, you’ll need to remove the bolt to take off the cable.

Attach the new cable to the drum. For wire rope, slip the end of the cable through the hole in the drum and tighten the set screw to hold the cable in place. For recovery winches, apply Loctite (or similar product) to the cable clamp thread to prevent loosening of the screw. Tighten the clamp screw (but be careful not to overtighten).
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If you are replacing your wire cable with synthetic rope, push the end of the rope into the hole in the drum. Pull the rope through the hole, wrap it around the underside of the drum and over the top, tuck the rope underneath itself where it exits the drum, and then depress the end of the rope back into the hole in the drum. You may need to use a screwdriver to force the end of the rope into the hole.

Respool the cable in the underwound direction so that the winch spools in and out correctly. Respool under a load of at least 500 pounds so that the outer layers will not draw down into the inner layers.

Tags: Steel Winch Cable, Synthetic Winch Rope, Winch Cable, Winch Cable Replacement
Posted in Synthetic Winch Rope, Winch Installation, Winch Maintenance | No Comments »

Respooling Winch Cable

Written By: Esther
February 18th, 2011 | Filed under Winching Techniques | No Comments »Tags: Steel Winch Cable, Winch Cable, Winching Tips

Respool under load to make the cable tight.

After you use your winch, it’s important to make sure you respool the cable so that it’s tight. If the cable is spooled too loosely, the strands can intermingle and create a “birdsnest” that’s next to impossible to untangle without a headache. Here are a few tips on respooling the winch cable. To respool under load using your vehicle, see this article.

Wear leather gloves to protect your hands while respooling the winch cable. To make the cable spool in tight rows, keep a slight load on the cable during respooling. Hold the cable in one hand and the remote control switch in the other. Start as far back and in the center as you can. Walk towards the winch, keeping load on the cable as the winch is powered in.

Do not allow the cable to slide through your hand—this can burn your hand or tear up your skin from loose barbs and rough spots in the cable. Don’t let your hand get too close to the winch.

Stop powering in the winch when only a few feet of cable is left to spool. Disconnect the remote control switch and finish spooling in the cable by hand. Rotate the drum manually with the clutch disengaged.

On hidden winches, spool in the cable under power, but make sure to keep your hands clear of the winch.

Tags: Steel Winch Cable, Winch Cable, Winching Tips
Posted in Winching Techniques | No Comments »

Winch Fairleads for Steel and Synthetic Rope

Written By: Esther
October 27th, 2010 | Filed under ATV Accessories, Recovery Winch Accessories, Winch Maintenance | No Comments »Tags: Aluminum Hawse Fairlead, Roller Fairlead, Steel Winch Cable, Synthetic Winch Rope, Winch Fairlead

Roller Winch Fairlead for Steel Cable

The winch fairlead you choose for your wire or synthetic rope is important when it comes to protecting your rope from damage. The following guidelines will help you choose the right winch fairlead for your setup.

Fairlead Choices for Wire Rope

Wire rope should always be paired with a steel fairlead, preferably rollers. Steel cable will eat up an aluminum hawse. If you decide to use a hawse with steel cable, it must be a steel hawse, not aluminum. Some customers choose a hawse for the extra clearance, but rollers will treat your wire rope better.

Just like other equipment, roller fairleads wear out over time and need to be replaced. Keep an eye on the condition of the fairlead and replace as needed.

Fairlead Choices for Synthetic Rope

If you switch from wire rope to synthetic, get a new winch fairlead, preferably an aluminum hawse. Special roller fairleads are available for use with synthetic line as well. A steel hawse should not be used with synthetic rope. If the protective coating wears off, rust will form, and the rough texture of the rust will wear down the rope.

If you switch from wire rope to synthetic, you may also need to purchase a new snatch block. If the groove is roughed up by the wire rope, do not use it with your new synthetic rope, or you could damage the rope.

Aluminum Hawse Fairlead

Why Use an Aluminum Hawse?

Many of our customers have used new roller fairleads for their synthetic rope with no problems. However, roller fairleads are more susceptible to damage (such as weathering and rust), and if damaged, they can easily damage the rope. To protect your investment in your synthetic rope, we recommend using an aluminum fairlead. Buying a new fairlead is cheaper than buying new synthetic rope when your old fairlead chews up the rope.

You’ve probably heard the argument that synthetic rope can get pinched between the rollers. Possible? Yes, but only in extreme cases. In severe angle pulls, the line can get caught on the edge of the roller support up in the corner, causing the line to part under load, but this rarely happens. And if you redirect the line for a straighter pull (which we strongly recommend), it should never be an issue.

An argument that holds more weight is that damage to a steel roller can easily shred your synthetic rope. An aluminum hawse, on the other hand, can be sanded down smooth again if damaged. Other arguments for an aluminum hawse over steel rollers is that synthetic rope is smooth enough that sometimes it doesn’t even move the rollers; aluminum is lighter than steel; and a hawse does not stick out as far as a roller fairlead, allowing a better approach angle.

Tags: Aluminum Hawse Fairlead, Roller Fairlead, Steel Winch Cable, Synthetic Winch Rope, Winch Fairlead
Posted in ATV Accessories, Recovery Winch Accessories, Winch Maintenance | No Comments »

How to Unbind Pinched Winch Cable

Written By: Esther
June 7th, 2010 | Filed under Offroad Recovery, Winching Techniques | No Comments »Tags: Steel Winch Cable, Winch Cable, Winch Rope Maintenance, Winching Tips

Use your truck or ATV to unbind a pinched winch cable.

If you’ve ever gotten your winch cable pinched between the drum and the rod, you know what a pain it is to dig out. Freespooling won’t get you anywhere, and jerking on it with your hands won’t make it budge. If the cable is pinched tight enough, it’s going to take a lot more power than that.

Cable binding and pinching can happen for a number of reasons, for example, an off-kilter pull, loose wraps on the drum, or other improper winching techniques. In any of these cases, strands of cable can overlap, crisscross, pile up on one side of the drum, or get pinched in the winch housing.

How to Unbind Winch Cable

If the winch cable gets hopelessly pinched, to the point where freespooling is impossible, the first thing to try is to hook the winch cable to a tree or anchor point and pull it loose. Use a tree strap to attach the cable to the anchor point. Then back up the ATV or truck while powering out the winch. If that doesn’t work, try powering the winch in while you maintain backwards pressure with the vehicle.

Keep Safety in Mind

If the cable does not come loose right away, try powering in and out a few more times, but don’t work at it so long and hard that you damage the winch or vehicle. And don’t throw safety precautions out the wind. All the same winch safety rules still apply. Don’t jerk the cable. It’s not designed to withstand shock forces. Also, keep bystanders well away from the winching operation. Severe pinching and binding can weaken the cable and make it more susceptible to break. Use extreme caution when attempting to free a pinched winch cable.

Other Suggestions for Untangling Winch Cable

If pulling the cable out with your ATV or truck doesn’t work, you’re basically left with the option of taking your winch off the vehicle or trying to free the cable with a screwdriver or other tools. If your winch is behind the bumper, you may not be able to reach it with tools unless you remove the bumper and winch.

Once you get the cable loose, spool the line all the way out and inspect the cable for weak spots, snapped wires, or permanent kinks. Flex the cable to remove any temporary kinks or compression. Replace the cable if there is any sign of damage. Then respool the cable with the proper tension in tight, even layers.

Tags: Steel Winch Cable, Winch Cable, Winch Rope Maintenance, Winching Tips
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How to Rewind Winch Cable Under Load

Written By: Esther
March 23rd, 2010 | Filed under Offroad Recovery, Winching Techniques | 1 Comment »Tags: Offroad Recovery, Steel Winch Cable, Winch Cable, Winch Rope Maintenance

After you’re done using your winch, it’s best to rewind the cable under load to spool it tight and even onto the drum. Ideally, there should be at least 500 pounds of tension on the cable. Here’s one way to get the job done:

Protect your winch hook and cable with a winch line stopper.

Find an empty parking lot or open area with enough room to spool out most of the winch cable, leaving at least 5 wraps on the drum. Ideally you should be on a slight incline.

Attach the winch hook to a tree, another vehicle, or a solid anchor point.

Put the vehicle in neutral.

Ask a friend to stand outside, in a position where he can see you (the driver) and see the winch cable as it wraps on the drum but where he is safely out of the cable’s path. Then have him direct you which way to turn the steering wheel as the winch pulls the vehicle towards the anchor point and the cable rewinds.

Have your friend make sure that the cable winds in tight even, rows on the drum. If the cable starts to pile up on one side or become tangled, stop winching and power out the cable until the tangled rows are off the drum. Then respool in tight, even layers.

Stop the winch when the vehicle is about 10 feet away from the anchor point.

Let the tension out of the rope and disconnect the rope from the anchor.

Attach the hook strap to the winch hook and hold on to the strap to spool in the rest of the cable. Do not put your fingers through the winch hook.

Carefully spool in the remaining cable under light tension by pulling back on the rope while pulsing the winch remote.

Attach the hook to one side under light tension, or—if you have a rubber stopper—spool in the cable until the hook is snug against the stopper. Do not power the winch hook into the fairlead without a rubber stopper, or you could damage the winch.

Tags: Offroad Recovery, Steel Winch Cable, Winch Cable, Winch Rope Maintenance
Posted in Offroad Recovery, Winching Techniques | 1 Comment »