Winch cable replace..........

Reiner

I used the synthetic rope last weekend on a steep grade at toolangi and I was very impressed with it. On the same hill I used my steel rope then spent an hour at home rewinding and straightening it so I am now a synthetic convert and will be replacing my steel wire as soon as I can afford it.

Was told to source it out of the US as is much cheaper than local product.
You have to be careful around rocks and sharp stuff as it will fray or cut fairly easy but you can get a protective sheath that slides down the rope. Cost?? don't know as yet.

Reiner
I am now using the synthetic winch rope and have found it a big impovement on the normal wire rope. No kinking, easier to spool and stronger for the same diameter. The weight saving is also a big bonus. If you go with synthetic you will also need to change to an aluminum or plastic fairlead.
I purchased 100ft x 5/16" Amsteel blue rope plus an off-set billet aluminum fairlead from CSEoffroad in the states, US$219 delivered to my door.

Chris

Good prices here
http://stores.ebay.com.au/Tigerz11-Winches-Accessories

What type of terrain do you mostly cover, if its rocky then stay with the steel, otherwise go for the synthetic. Roger Smith sells Dynamica, thats what I got, Google it and you'll get his details. He is a good guy

Reiner ,
I ordered my winch with synthetic rope so I still have a new coiled up steel winch cable . You can have N/C , it if you organise the freight or get someone to pick it up .
Cheers ,
Willie .

We have been using synthetic rope for several years now and the Dynamica brand as it has a much higher temperature resistance from many of the others and this is a primary consideration when constantly using the winch for heavy duty work and where the winch drum gets hot. As well it seems to have stood up to UV degradation well. Like any other piece of recovery equipment it requires regular maintenance and checking and parituclarly if used in mud and sand which definately abrade the rope quickly. Still you will be cleaning and washing your snatch and winch extension straps after each use to preserve their integrity and life so adding the synthetic rope to the bucket is not a problem.

We regularly operate in rocky terrain and use a Michelle's Sacks purpose built protector, a couple of them actually, as required to protect the rope as it is run over rocks and other abrasive objects.

The rope is pulled off the drum and everything checked every three months regardless.

Apart from that the benefits are; 10m more rope which is still never enough it seems and the lighter weight

RobA

Thank you all for your replies. Interesting to hear about the synthetic cables.
I'm sure they are good and one day I get one but I find the prices a bit high right now. I'm sure they come down one day.
Another steel cable for me this time.
Might take Willie up on his great offer.
cheers
Reiner