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Librarian
Full Member
USA
214 Posts |
 Posted - 02/06/2010 : 11:32:18 PM
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I broke my steel winch cable this afternoon. I hadn't noticed that it was frayed, but it apparently was. I used it about 6 hours today plowing snow. This time of year, that is fairly typical of the use it gets when it snows. I did a lot of raising and lowering the plow. The cable broke about 6 inches from the end where it oontacts the fair lead. I am thinking about getting a winch rope to replace it. Here are some questions for anyone who has experience with a winch rope.
1. Does a rope bind more than, less than or about the same as a steel cable?
2. I think I have read that most winch ropes are about 25 feet long vs. cables that are often 50 feet long. If the rope tends to be shorter, I assume that the diameter of rope for a given strength is quite a bit bigger than cable. Is that true or not?
3. Are winch ropes more reliable, less reliable, or about the same as cable?
4. How about pricing. Are ropes more costly than cable?
Any help you can give will be very much appreciated. |
Don Williams a.k.a. Librarian
2006 Mule 610 |
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jrs0574
Full Member
USA
290 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2010 : 9:19:17 PM
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| I have a venom winch and it has worked very well for me. I got a wire cable and a synthetic cable with my winch new. The wire cable was already on the drum so i left it on there and will use the other for additional length if needed. Looking at the web site the cost difference is about 20 bucks. The wire is 25 and the synthetic is 45. The biggest difference is gonna be what is the main use of the winch. The syn is much more volnerable to snagging than wire. I dont have any pros for it because i have never used syn. Here is the web site where i got my information. http://www.venomwinch.com/ Maybe this will help you. Goodluck |
Mammoth sound system
15" ss platnum wheels
26" Maxxis Ceros tires
4500lb venon winch
Roof & windshield
Custom paint to match my 09 Jeep Wrangler
John Sampson
Forney Texas. |
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RuralJersey
Senior Member
1979 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2010 : 05:35:42 AM
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| I snapped my synthetic cable... I took a bit of a run pulling a fallen tree and snap... I replaced it with a heavy duty steel cable which I think is better for plowing and you don't have to worry about sudden yanks or dragging it across stuff like with a synthetic... |
    
2008 Silver Sport 700 Rhino
27x9x12 Big Horns, Sheave, Full Body Armor, 3500 Viper Max Winch, Trail Armor Doors, HID Lights, Pod Mod Fuelie, Grant Steering Wheel, Trunk Box
Sold my Rhino 450 Sold my Mule 610 Camo 4x4 and Sold my Yamaha Prohauler 700 |
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sail2xxs
Starting Member
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2010 : 12:59:27 PM
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Don - I'm using a Viper winch and synthetic plow cable from Motoalliance.com on my 610. So far the synthetic plow cable has held up fine since I installed it in late 2007. We haven't had much snow in Maryland until this winter - so far, I have about 75 hours of plowing on the cable this year between this past weeks weather and mid December's storm, and maybe 10 hours from last year. It's looking a bit mashed and very slightly frayed, but is otherwise OK. I do think using the abrasion sleeve helps.
Chris
Chris |
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Missouri Mule
Full Member
154 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2010 : 5:37:13 PM
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My experience with steel cables and plowing snow has not been good. Once you get a kink in steel it never goes away and eventually becomes enough of a knot to seriously affect winch operation.
I've not had that problem with the rope, Blue Steel I believe it's called. Yes, it does get flattened out but doesn't knot and is relatively easy to deal with. I've only had to rescue my 610 once using the Venom winch but it worked great that time. I probably won't be going back to steel.
KK |
KK
If it doesn't fit, force it. If it breaks it probably needed replacing anyway...... |
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Librarian
Full Member
USA
214 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2010 : 10:51:47 PM
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Sorry for the late reply. Thanks to all of you for giving me good information. I think I will try a synthetic rope and see how it goes. I got through this winter with an emergency repair on the broken cable. I'll be removing my plow hopefully soon. I'm afraid if I take it off now, it will snow for sure  |
Don Williams a.k.a. Librarian
2006 Mule 610 |
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Topic |
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Need a new winch cable
