Synthetic Rope vs Wire Cable

[Gator]

My winch is rated for 50' of 3/16" wire rope.

How much synthetic rope can I get on there.

 

[Admin]

 

[Tflynn]

How thick is the synthetic you're using?

 

[Gator]

Assume I go back with 3/16" synthetic.

 

[CumminsPusher]

I've been having problems with steel I'm trying synthetic now and see how it goes. I bought 1/4 same length I hope it fits I assumed it would if you're carful loading it. I've never tried it yet so I'm interested as well

 

[amc019]

Make sure your winch drum is rated for synthetic rope, puts more pressure on the drum than the wire.

 

[CumminsPusher]

What what? Help I'm new to what you just said?

 

[joeymt33]

Make sure your winch drum is rated for synthetic rope, puts more pressure on the drum than the wire.

I did not know that! Please explain or do you have some literature on this?

 

[CumminsPusher]

I did not know that! Please explain or do you have some literature on this?

I know you can get synthetic to come on our warn's Joe but I guess this makes me wonder. I've never heard this either.

 

[Jason86]

Make sure your winch drum is rated for synthetic rope, puts more pressure on the drum than the wire.

After some quick research this is all that I could find involving the drum and synthetic rope. please provide more information about the drum pressure.

 

[Gator]

You (or the guy that has to handle the winch hook) is going to LOVE the synthetic. I will never go back to cable.

 

[CumminsPusher]

@Gator do I'm assuming you did get that on and like it?

 

[Tflynn]

I know you can get synthetic to come on our warn's Joe but I guess this makes me wonder. I've never heard this either.

I've never heard anything about pressure. Only heard when switching to synthetic from steel you need to be sure your drum (and any snatch blocks you'll use) is smooth and has absolutely no burs etc. Also if you're switching to synthetic you should change your roller fairlead to a hawse fairlead. I wouldn't be worried @CumminsPusher

 

[CumminsPusher]

I knew about the fairlead but I hadn't thought about the burrs so thank you. I didn't understand on the line pressure never heard of that. Wish me luck I'll see if I can get through a weekend without snapping something. Thanks again @Tflynn!

 

[Hondasxs]

Here is a old post I drew up long ago. - Winch Line - Cable vs Synthetic Rope

 

[Gator]

@Gator do I'm assuming you did get that on and like it?

I have used synthetic on all my ATV's. I think they are great. Now I want to change out the cable on the Pioneer.

Back to the original question on this thread. The warn winch has 50' of 3/16" cable. I'm wondering if I can fit a little more rope if I change to synthetic. 60-65 feet might mean the difference between being able to reach a tree of not.

 

[Tflynn]

I have used synthetic on all my ATV's. I think they are great. Now I want to change out the cable on the Pioneer.

Back to the original question on this thread. The warn winch has 50' of 3/16" cable. I'm wondering if I can fit a little more rope if I change to synthetic. 60-65 feet might mean the difference between being able to reach a tree of not.

I doubt you could fit that much extra. Why not just carry a tow strap as well? That's what I do. Tow strap, tree strap, maybe a chain, d-rings all in addition to the winch.

 

[sharp]

They will both be fine just remember to spool in and out from the bottom of the winch spool for longer winch life!

 

[Gator]

I doubt you could fit that much extra. Why not just carry a tow strap as well? That's what I do. Tow strap, tree strap, maybe a chain, d-rings all in addition to the winch.

We carry a lot of gear for winching. I often choose my path based on distance from a tree. We all have tree straps, 20' tow straps (usually 2) and I have an old synthetic rope that my boy broke 10 feet off of.

We have had to daisy chain 4 bikes together, each with 50 winches, to reach a tree.

 

[amc019]

Back when I spent a lot of time on the Rzr forums, I read multiple posts concerning drum strength with rope vs cable winches. Apparently, when the steel cable is spooled on the drum, it doesn't tighten down on the drum when under load because it doesn't squish together so to speak, it takes a lot of the pressure as the cable strands are layered on top of each other . Rope on the other hand is able to squeeze together as it gets tighter and doesn't layer up as well, which has been known to make some drums crack under load.

 

[CumminsPusher]

Ahhhhh. That makes sense I was racking my brain and the Internet looking. I wasn't super worried but I do listen to things I don't know I'm glad you don't spend as much time there anymore!