Cable issues

[srgould41]

I bought a 12k Harbor Freight winch over the summer. It has worked well, a bit slow, but OK.

My issue has been the cable. It comes with 100' of 3/8". If you put the drum in freewheel the cable springs loose and causes issues with overlaps, etc.

I have already damaged the cable because of this so that it needs to be replaced.

What are people's experience with 3/8" cable. How flexy is the cable on other winches? What about aftermarket cable? I don't want to buy a replacement and have it be just as stiff as what is on there.

Since it's on a 5k rig I even though about going with 5/16", but that wouldn't be safe if the winch should pull past 9k for some reason. I want flexible 3/8" if I can find some.

Thanks

 

[george_tlc]

Synthetic...

Easy to wrap around the roobar when winching often.

I've since gone to an aluminium hawse.

cheers,
george.

 

[Southeast Overland]

If you want flexible you need to go with synthetic over steel line.

Also stick with 3/8" on a winch 10k above.

 

[srgould41]

I know the argument of synth over steel and I agree. I would buy synth if I could afford it, but steel is 1/3 the price.

 

[george_tlc]

I know the argument of synth over steel and I agree. I would buy synth if I could afford it, but steel is 1/3 the price.

Well, at 1/3 of the price you can then replace it 3 times when you kink/crush it

I personally will never run steel rope again after having synthetic on both my winches for the past 5+ years. The lighter weight, easier deployment, easier handling and safer operation in case of it snapping are well worth saving the pennies to purchase it.

cheers,
george.

 

[spotcruiser]

As you've found out on everything else so far, Steve, the inexpensive becomes expensive.

I know the argument of synth over steel and I agree. I would buy synth if I could afford it, but steel is 1/3 the price.

 

[srgould41]

No kidding. Doug just told me he paid only $1.40/foot last summer for plain 3/8" synth. That makes it only slightly more expensive than new steel. I'm going to see if I can get a current quote.

As you've found out on everything else so far, Steve, the inexpensive becomes expensive.

 

[Southeast Overland]

No kidding. Doug just told me he paid only $1.40/foot last summer for plain 3/8" synth. That makes it only slightly more expensive than new steel. I'm going to see if I can get a current quote.

$1.40 / ft for Dyneema SK75? Made in America or abroad? That is a S-T-E-A-L!

I sent you a PM back. Shoot me a call and we can discuss options.

 

[srgould41]

It was Amsteel Gray.

However I found local supplies of Amsteel blue almost as cheap. I have decided to put my own rope together.

 

[Southeast Overland]

It was Amsteel Gray.

However I found local supplies of Amsteel blue almost as cheap. I have decided to put my own rope together.

Amsteel Blue is the line made by Samson. Blue is not the color per se but the name of the line.

Amsteel is not as strong as Amsteel Blue.

3/8" Amsteel = 15,500 average break strength
3/8" Amsteel Blue = 19,600 abs

So there is about a 20% difference.

 

[TLC76]

If you want to stay cheap there's lots of guys selling their steel cables when they switch to synthetic, watch the classifieds or local craigslist. Lot of them are brand new.

 

[srgould41]

I ended up going with steel. I had a local company make up a 3/8" x 100' cable with a swedged on thimble for $43.80, tax included. Can't beat that!

 

[TrekboxX]

The problem isn't the cable, it's the winch. Your winch drum shouldn't be "loose" even in free spool. It should take a bit of effort to manually pull the line out. There should also be a certain amount of drag to prevent overrun. Just like a fishing reel.

Let us know if this new cable has helped.