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Winch cable ?s

Winch cable ?s
Petescj

Petescj

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1982 CJ-7 258 / T-18 / Dana 300 31 in All Terrains.
1978 CJ-7 304 / TH 400 / Quadratrac 32 in Mud Terrains
Where do you get your winch cable at? Should I go synthetic considering I need to replace my linked/frayed one?
 
The only downside I see to synthetic's are the price and they only last a few years if exposed to weather.
 
I'm a fan of old school steel cable, hard to beat over 100 years of success. If I'm making a long/hard pull I tie a jacket (or whatever else you have in the cab) on the line to help absorb some of the energy in the event of a break.
 
Still using the same steel cable on my Warn 8274, that it came with in 1977.
LG
 
This is a debate I've turned over in my head. One reason to go with synthetic is the fact that for any given strength the cable is smaller in diameter. Which means that you can spool more cable on the winch. Naturally cost is a negative, but the biggest negative for me is the climate I live in. The summer sun is brutal and the sand/dust is ever present. Steel, while shorter, really doesn't give a darn about the sun and sand with the dry climate making rust mostly a moot point. But, synthetic rope is very cool to have on your winch. Honestly, if I were to be heading out for a long summer 4 rough wheeling trip I'd have synthetic rope wound on the winch, until then I'm perfectly happy with the relatively un-used cable the winch came with knowing that it will always be there in good health ready for use.
 
PaRenegade said:
The only downside I see to synthetic's are the price and they only last a few years if exposed to weather.
Click to expand...

The price is definitley a factor. Im not sure how much "Weather" would effect mine. Its garaged and I could get a wich cover pretty easy.

hole said:
I'm a fan of old school steel cable, hard to beat over 100 years of success. If I'm making a long/hard pull I tie a jacket (or whatever else you have in the cab) on the line to help absorb some of the energy in the event of a break.
Click to expand...

I had thought I could grab one of those Warn accessory packages with the steel cable and still be under the price of the synthetic.

Lumpy Grits said:
Still using the same steel cable on my Warn 8274, that it came with in 1977.
LG
Click to expand...

Thats the kind of longevity Id like. Do you oil your cable or use any other trick to keep it in good shape?
 
Hedgehog said:
This is a debate I've turned over in my head. One reason to go with synthetic is the fact that for any given strength the cable is smaller in diameter. Which means that you can spool more cable on the winch. Naturally cost is a negative, but the biggest negative for me is the climate I live in. The summer sun is brutal and the sand/dust is ever present. Steel, while shorter, really doesn't give a darn about the sun and sand with the dry climate making rust mostly a moot point. But, synthetic rope is very cool to have on your winch. Honestly, if I were to be heading out for a long summer 4 rough wheeling trip I'd have synthetic rope wound on the winch, until then I'm perfectly happy with the relatively un-used cable the winch came with knowing that it will always be there in good health ready for use.
Click to expand...

Yeah I cant really relate to the Arizona sun here. The length factor doesnt concern me as much in the Pa woods either. Plenty of trees for a shorter cable and tree saver. The previous owner didnt take too good of care of my current cable.
 
I spray the winch cable with silicone spray that dries to the touch.
I also make sure the cable is 'wrapped' correctly after a 'pull'.
Only a couple of times, have I needed more than the AMC 150 ' cable this 8274 carries. That's why I carry 25' of 3/8" grade-70 binder chain, from my days as a OTW trucker that specialized in 'heavy-haul' and HAZ-MAT(military grade explosives).
LG
 
Peter - It sounds like you are in need of a new cable. A synthetic rope most certainly will get your job done, as will the steel cable. The rope does carry a cool factor cable doesn't.
 
Mud kills synthetic ropes. Great for rocks with sleeves for the sharp edges.

Since I like mud a lot steel is on my Mile marker hydro. WD40 and silicon spray helps after the pressure washed. Love the 2-speed winch for fast rewinding.

I vote steel. :D
 
Glad to hear others say this because I spray mine down with silicone too.
 
Well I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised with the majority of the vote going for good old steel cable. Thanks for the replies. :chug:
 
If I needed a new cable I would want to try the synthetic. just because of the lack of splinters and ease of handling. The synthetic comes with a replicable UV resistant cover for the first few feet, enough to make one layer on the spool. Letting the cable slide in my hand when rewinding and not cringing at the thought is interesting. I love the winch and would not be without it but truth be told I really don't use it that much.:D
 
IOPort51 said:
If I needed a new cable I would want to try the synthetic. just because of the lack of splinters and ease of handling. The synthetic comes with a replicable UV resistant cover for the first few feet, enough to make one layer on the spool. Letting the cable slide in my hand when rewinding and not cringing at the thought is interesting. I love the winch and would not be without it but truth be told I really don't use it that much.:D
Click to expand...

IO brings up some good points.
After breaking my steel cable and seeing other steel & synthetic cables break I went synthetic and never looked back. I use mine way to often to worry about a steel cable killing me or someone else.
 
I've only ever used steel personally, and even then I try not to use it. But, I have used a lot of rope to repel over the side of a cliff and to hoist people back up that fell. Some points to ponder:

1. Rope (synthetic cable) will stretch more than steel.
2. Rope and dirt are not a good thing. That includes walking on it which puts dirt into it.
3. To take care of a rope it needs to be washed once in awhile.
4. If a fall ever occurred on a repel rope, it had to be replaced. Not sure how a severe winch load would effect a rope. My guess is it would weaken it.
5. Occasional use of a rope would most likely be ok. Using it everyday would most likely find it would wear quicker than steel and need to be replaced.
6. Anywhere the rope rubs on something, like a rock or a tree, it will need something to protect it. I have used webbing for this.
7. You can kink rope, you kink steel it becomes a week point.
8. If you want to use a snatch block, you will most likely have will have to buy one from a climbing/repelling store and that stuff is not cheep.

Pete, I guess it all boils down to how many greenbacks you have in your pocket and what trips you trigger. If it's synthetic cable, go for it. If not, I guess you'll have to use steel. Either way, if you get stuck, we need a picture! :banana::banana::banana: Rod
 
In OR the rope would wear & mold faster then the rust on steel.
 
I don't know anything about climbing rope, but I don't think you can compare it to synthetic winch cable.
Yes you do have to be more careful in the rocks but that's what the sleeve is for. Mud doesn't seem to effect it, nor do normal snatch blocks.
Most of the people I ride with use it and have for many years with no problems, and we use our winches a lot, not only for helping ourselves and others
but also for pulling downed trees out of the way.
 
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Not sure if mice like synthetic rope or not? :confused:

I use mine 7-10 days a year pulling others up hills, broken rigs and big stucks in the sloughs out back. Some take a triple line double snatch blocks. Should be around 25000 on a one line wrap. Being hydraulic I pull litterly for hours.

The CJ can reach places on my place my tractor can't so it's a logging rig as well. The 2-speed makes short time of rewinds.

Kinks? In 20 years I have never kinked a cable. Carelessness has no place around winches.

I see more broken harbor freight straps and winches.

Bottom line - don't be cheap on equipment that you are counting on to save the day. :D
 
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