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Winching Rope, Damper Placement

Submitted: Monday, Aug 27, 2007 at 11:19

Graeme

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We had a car [ Nissan X-trail] and camper trailer run off the road into one of our dams on Sunday.
As it was about 30 miles to the house to get the tractor I decided to winch them out using the four wheel drive winch.
They were about 150 feet down off the road and the trailer had overturned. We managed to get the trailer back on its wheels and I towed it up onto the road, but getting the car out took the full length of the winch wire and also about 50 foot of tow rope.
I have not done very much with the winch before, so with so much line out it was a bit of a guess as to where on the line we should put a damper just in case the tow rope broke. I ended up putting it about 20 feet back from the hook towards my car.
After about 2 hours we finally hauled the car out, but I was worried the whole time about what would happen if the rope broke and the winch wire went flying.
What is the approach you take when doing something like this.

Thanks
Graeme
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AnswerID: 259039   Submitted: Monday, Aug 27, 2007 at 11:58

Member - Jason S (SA) replied:

I would place the dampner down by the heaviest part of the line which would have been your winch hook. The rope would have been the first thing to go making the hook the most dangerous projectile.
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AnswerID: 259042   Submitted: Monday, Aug 27, 2007 at 12:30

nowimnumberone replied:

first thing to would be make sure they will get your slab
then as above
Reply 2 of 9
AnswerID: 259043   Submitted: Monday, Aug 27, 2007 at 12:33

Trevor R (QLD) replied:

No experience with winches so maybe not the best advice to take, but I would agree with Jason. If the cable broke it would just coil up and be no probs but if the hook let go or where the hook was attached let go then the dampner would be required to stop a missile so the dampner needs to be fairly close to hook end of winch IMO.

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FollowupID: 520558   Submitted: Monday, Aug 27, 2007 at 20:47

Nick R (VIC) posted:

we never did hear how that guy gets 35s on a GU.


So, when is Lucy getting his just desserts?

Nick
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FollowupID: 520559   Submitted: Monday, Aug 27, 2007 at 20:50

Nick R (VIC) posted:

we never did hear how that guy gets 35s on a GU.


So, when is Lucy getting his just desserts?

Nick
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FollowupID: 520560   Submitted: Monday, Aug 27, 2007 at 20:51

Nick R (VIC) posted:

we never did hear how that guy gets 35s on a GU.


So, when is Lucy getting his just desserts?

Nick
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FollowupID: 520638   Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 28, 2007 at 10:07

Trevor R (QLD) posted:

Lucy gets his just deserts every day by having to drive that oversized double bed with a motor and porta potti atop of it.

Trevor.
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AnswerID: 259053   Submitted: Monday, Aug 27, 2007 at 13:41

Member - Greydemon (WA) replied:

There is of course no reason at all why you shouldnt have more than one damper.



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Reply 4 of 9
FollowupID: 520513   Submitted: Monday, Aug 27, 2007 at 14:44

Ingtar posted:

If the cable breaks then the hook is going nowhere. If it were me, I would make sure hook placement is secure, and place the damper in the middle.

But then, even better, would be to place multiple dampers which can be made out of many things.

Trying to predict where things will let go can be a dangerous science, and if in doubt, probably don't do it. Or at least stand well out of the way.
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FollowupID: 520515   Submitted: Monday, Aug 27, 2007 at 14:53

Ingtar posted:

Apologies, my eyes skipped over the mention of a rope.

In that case I would have put the damper on the winch cable, to protect myself, and tried to not have anybody at the other end if possible. But still if you're not sure/don't think it is safe, don't do it. Find another way or somebody with more experience. Half an hour to get the tractor isn't so long when you see the damage these things can do.
FollowUp 2 of 2
AnswerID: 259061   Submitted: Monday, Aug 27, 2007 at 14:43

Member - Davoe (Nullagine) replied:

the cable has very little stretch and therefore little stored energy. the rope has a bit. If the rope snaps the weight of the cable will stop anything flying
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FollowupID: 520517   Submitted: Monday, Aug 27, 2007 at 15:13

traveller2 posted:

That may be so Davoe but having seen winch ropes break several times over the years in 4wding situations the damage they can do and the distance they cover is horrifying.
The damage a snapped and frayed steel cable can do to the human body even as it comes to rest is horrific.
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AnswerID: 259081   Submitted: Monday, Aug 27, 2007 at 17:29

Member -Dodger replied:

You stated winched out of dam, it is a good idea to wet your air brake if it is of a material type. I use a wheat bag with one rear corner cut out and thread the cable etc through. However You did the correct thing and brake on the rope itself would have been ideal.
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AnswerID: 259104   Submitted: Monday, Aug 27, 2007 at 19:20

Dave from P7OFFROAD Accredited Driver Training replied:

I would have probably used more dampners, I tend to place one (something) every 10 meters or so, (but I have been accused of being pedantic).
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Reply 7 of 9
AnswerID: 259123   Submitted: Monday, Aug 27, 2007 at 20:25

Skippy In The GU replied:

Hi Graeme, where was the winch cable hooked onto,
Have you got a rated tow recovery hook,
Did you use a bridle.


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FollowupID: 520570   Submitted: Monday, Aug 27, 2007 at 21:31

Graeme posted:

The winch cable was hooked onto the tow rope which is a inch and a quarter rope with spliced eyes at each end. The hook on the winch wire is what the wire came with. Its supposed to be 12000 pound.
Didn't use a bridle, which I think you mean to be a 2 position attachment rope for evening up the load. Tell me if I am wrong.
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AnswerID: 259143   Submitted: Monday, Aug 27, 2007 at 21:26

Graeme replied:

As if I don't have enough to do.
I have just got back in from trying to clean all the oil out of the dam.
It's a bit of a mess and I've had to fence the area off from the stock today. Don't know how long it will take for the oil to be removed. The fellow says he hit a rock as he went over the edge into the dam and its split the sump. The oil has spread all round the water edge of the place.

Thanks for your thoughts on the damper. I was using a haystack cover which is pretty heavy probably 80 pounds all up.

The rope was tied round the rear suspension as that is all I could get to. Worked OK, to get them out but I don't know if its bent anything. The cars still down there waiting for a truck to take it away.
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