Is my snatch strap stuffed?

I'd say replace it and send the bill to your mate.

Regards

Snatch straps are not stuffed by one single use. Takes a few pulls to damage the fibres.
If there is no obvious damage to the strap (abrasion etc) then I would certainly use it a few more times yet.

.
Hi Frank,

I very much doubt that a steady pull by your winch would harm your 8 tonne snatch strap. They are rated to withstand much more when used in the designed 'inertia tug' mode. And I would expect it to "stretch a bit" in use in the winching mode.

Inspect it for any fractured fibres, but if all looks OK then I would consider it to be undamaged.

Consider the force applied during a snatch compared to a steady stretch on the end of a winch rope. If it did not get dirty or abraded during the winch operation, not too many grounds for replacing the strap.

Iza

Frank - How much did it stretch? Have you measured the strap now, in it's unloaded condition?

A fairly good rule of thumb is 10%. If you are using winches, or cable controlled equipment, you replace the steel wire rope when 10% of the strands show serious flattening or wear.

If you're using ratchet tie-downs, you replace the straps when the strap damage reaches 10% of the width of the strap.

If you bought a snatch strap and it's, say 9M long, in its unloaded state, when purchased - then when the strap reaches 9.9M in length, in its unloaded state, would be a good time to discard it.

Alternatively, the age of the strap needs to be taken into account, along with its storage and use levels.
I'll wager there's a lot of snatch straps out there, that are 10-15 yrs old and have only been used a few times. Many would be at the point of needing to be discarded, particularly if stored improperly.

If your snatch strap has been in the sun a lot or in wet, muddy conditions a lot, then you would certainly be well advised to discard it at around 10 yrs old.

The materials in snatch straps are not designed to last a long period of time. Ageing and UV light is a killer with manufactured synthetic products such as nylon.

The major snatch strap error you have made, is using a snatch strap as a winch rope.

Snatch straps are not designed to be used as tow ropes or winch ropes. The application of heavy, steady strain is anathema to their design and construction.

Snatch straps are designed to be used in a snatch situation, where the load on them is transient, thus allowing them to return to their original length.

If it's now stretched 10% or more in its relaxed state, then I'd have to say, discard it.

Possibly the only advantage in your favour is that your strap is rated at 8 tonnes, so it has probably not been loaded to more than about a quarter of its load capacity - thereby escaping any major stretch damage.

It's rare for loadings on snatch straps to reach 3 tonnes, even on a dead pull, or with a severe snatch.
Over that load figure, chassis damage would start to appear.

Cheers, Ron.

Good quality snatch straps have either an overload indicator built in to the label which, if exposed, the strap should no longer be used for that purpose or overload stitching which if damaged results in the same outcome. By 1 December 2019 the Australian Standard for Vehicle Recovery Straps will be law. See: http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2010L01931[/url]

Do the maths.
Your snatchstrap is rated at 8000kg

Ranger max gross combined mass is 6000kg.

If lifting the lot vertically with your winch all hooked up to work as a crane, you still have 2000kg to spare.

Your winch will only pull its rated capacity with 1 wrap of cable on the drum, each additional wrap is a significant reduction in pulling power, so did the winch stall or really struggle? (10000lb=4500kg)

If the strap is not visibly damaged, then I think you will be right. Hooking it onto a vehicle and driving away at 20km/h will see peak loads significantly above what you have achieved winching.

Thank you everyone for your input.

I am reasonably satisfied that the strap is ok. It has no visual signs of damage and the logic presented here suggests there is no hidden damage. I use it infrequently so I'm going to give it a couple of mild tests and probably keep it.

Cheers

Frank, to be honest, if its 10 years old, replace it anyway.

I had to tow a small car for around 5 K's with a snatch strap once, a the start it was ok the snatch strap absorbing the shock as I slowly took of and the play was taken up, by the time we got to the destination it was like towing with a steel cable. I assume the weave gets tighter and tighter till all the cushioning affect is gone. The fibers may not have stretched but you might find if you use it in a snatch scenario it is a lot harsher than one that hasn't been used to winch with.