time for new winch cable.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

black95

black95

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Aug 25, 2008
Threads
127
Messages
2,499
Location
Colorado
So I guess it's time for me to get a new winch cable. I was against going with synthetic, and seeing all the troubles with them on the last snow run, that didn't help matters any. I'm wondering though if brand choice plays a big choice in that though. Most people I have been around with synthetic cables have gone for the affordable low cost cables. They seem to fray badly, sun fade, and pull out of the thimbles holding them to the drum, but, I have yet to see one break. so, I figured I would start a discussion and get some feedback. Who's running them and what do you like/ not like about the cable you chose?

I've seen the expensive synthetic rope that looks like the braids are a lot tighter and looks more like rope. I assume that was a masterpull and they run in the 500's... yikes. The Warn cables are that high too. Anyone using the Amsteel? Running in the 300's, more than say, a smittybuilt cable. Considering switching mostly because my roller fairlead is trash too. The pric of the rollers is higher than the hawse fairleads, and will offset some of the cable cost.

Trevor, what are you selling for synthetics now?
 
Last edited:
You seen the rope pull out of the thimbles because they were pulled to far out. The attachment lug will not hold even on steel cable under load unless there are a few wraps on the drum. Steel cable will also rotate on the drum if the drum end is not secured. Synthetic has issues without a doubt but for me it's attributes far outweigh it's deficiencies! I hate dealing with steel cable! I use Amsteel and have been very happy with it. The only issue I ever had was on the first winch I had it on I used 5/16". It did not last very long and the sun UV's broke down the fibers and it pulled apart. I only run 3/8" now and completely swear by it! I also slip a yellow or red sleeve on the drum end of my synth lines so when I'm pulling it out I can spot that it's almost unrolled all the way so I don't yank it out of the attachment lug.
The Masterpull Superline has never impressed me. While it stays cleaner, deforms less and has more fray resistance it sucks in the wintertime! It's like a plastic garden hose in the cold! In my opinion I cannot justify the greater cost of the Superline as winter is when I use my winch the most of the entire year! Treeroot has the Superline on his winch and you can see what I mean....it took two or three people to pull it out on free spool the first couple times.
 
I have a viking winch line and havn't any problems with it yet. It will sun fade but I have a winch cover anyhow. I was a little skeptical of the synthetic rope at first but after pulling out a forest service truck on it I was sold.
 
Kevin, that was one of the problems I saw on the Yankee Hill run. Ige's cable came out of the thimble and there was half the cable on the drum. I have read some people are not using thimbles at all, rather just taping a 6" or so section lengthwise across the drum and then wrapping over it. According to them, when you see the end of the cable on the drum, you can't pull off any more, and it keeps the thimble bolt from tearing up the cable. That's pretty much how Ige fixed hers, but she also ran the bolt through the cable, have keep in touch and see how that works.

I really like the Viking cable, and I love the orange and yellow colors. The Amsteel appareantly comes in orange, but damned if I can find it anywhere. Looks like Amsteel and Viking are my two best choices right now. I don't want to go any cheaper... I wheel alone a lot, and there have been times I might have frozen to death without the winch. I also agree 3/8 is going to be the minimum. :D
 
I saw this thread pop up in the current topics. We have orange in stock in 5/16" and 3/8" Amsteel Blue. We also have blue in stock and olive green on the way. There are several end attachment options including a regular stainless thimble, captive tube thimble, safety thimble, common sling hook, or a safety hook. Give us a call if you have any questions.
 
Ok, Luke I will beat anyones price on the synthetic rope!

As far as attachment to the drum, i Like the idea of taping it under the first few wraps.. Then if it does come off, its easy to put back on.. I still have not decided how i am going to Sell/suggest to people what to do on this issue, regardless you should not be winching unless you have 4-5 wraps on the winch..

I can also get the Same rope that Masterpull uses for their SuperlineXD, its great stuff because it has the Abrasion protection built into it! but my cost on the stuff is $400 for 100' Masterpull has a direct line to the manufacture. And Regardless it will degrade over the years and need to be replaced!

Come by tonight for that free cable, and il will show you what i have!
 
Last edited:
Stopped by trevor's this afternoon and he showed me all his new synthetic cable toys. Awesome stuff. Prices are very reasonable. I will definitely be going that route when I get some Money together.
I always have more projects than money, but the cruiser got built, and the red tricycle got rebuilt... so now its big black's turn to get some love. I'm on a new kick with that thing, and its been shunned long anough that I'm excited to play with it again. Hate to have it down this close to summer, gotta hurry!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom