| Author | Message | ||
     steve herrod (Sherrod) Member Username: Sherrod Post Number: 73 Registered: 02-2003 |
is there a good reason to buy a winch rope rated at 26,000 lbs. vs 16,000 lbs when the vehicle weighs around 6-7,000 lbs and the winch rating is 12,000 or less? | ||
| John Cinquegrana (Johnc) Senior Member Username: Johnc Post Number: 627 Registered: 07-2002 |
Steve, I can't answer your question but I can tell you this....if you are using a winch it's because the vehicle is stuck (mud, rocks, hill, etc) and you have to take into consideration the weight of the vehicle plus the resisting force... I'm sure someone will chime in and give you a more scientific explanation. Hope this helps. John | ||
| Rob Davison (Nosivad_bor) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Nosivad_bor Post Number: 1713 Registered: 02-2003 |
yes, if you use a pully it will make the winch able to pull double it's wieght. Go with the stronger rope. rd | ||
| steve herrod (Sherrod) Member Username: Sherrod Post Number: 74 Registered: 02-2003 |
26,000 lbs winch rope 16,000 lbs winch rope 14,000 lbs winch steel cable why go to the 26k rope? there must be a good reason to spend the extra money? | ||
| inceiptiant spin (Chrisseries1) New Member Username: Chrisseries1 Post Number: 32 Registered: 03-2004 |
some where here some time some one posted a real good link to an article on winches and rope ratings . i belive that it was written by the military on heavy recovery and heavy lifting technics. hopfully it is in the archives still. try posting on the disco side . you will get a lot more hits with a faster response time. bets waiting around for the answer. | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 1557 Registered: 02-2002 |
Steve, the common recommendation I have seen is to use the same width rope as the original steel cable. Even though its stronger and may be OTT. | ||
| Rob Davison (Nosivad_bor) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Nosivad_bor Post Number: 1715 Registered: 02-2003 |
I dont think steel cable is as weak as you state. where did you get your data? What brand Winch/Rating do you have and What diameter wire? | ||
| Rick Clarke (Tugcap) Member Username: Tugcap Post Number: 57 Registered: 02-2002 |
When catagorizing strength of rope and wire rope, there are usually two factors listed: safe working load (SWL) and breaking strain. Usually there is safety factor of 4 or 5 or more between the two. So a rope rated at 26,000 lb breaking strain has in reality a 5250-6500 safe working load. If it is used frequently its a good idea to stay within the SWL to prolong rope (or wire rope) life. You can obviously exceed the SWL, but it shortens the life. Using blocks, adding sheaves increases mechanical advantage as Rob indicated, will help keep you in the SWL of the line, but it also increases friction, and should be factored in the pull. You count the number of line/rope parts to know the mechanical advantage. If you are pulling 10,000lbs and you use a single sheave block to double the line, you halve the required pull to 5000lb achieving the 10,000lb pull. BUT- the weight is increased by an apparent 10% for each sheave or pulley in the pull. So a 10,000lb pull thru a snatch block and back to the truck means your winch has to pull 5500lbs to achieve the apparent 11,000 pull. (10,000+10% for 1 sheave/block). Remember that strains are tested in lab conditions, where rope coiled improperly on a winch cylinder, friction from sheaves, bumpers, fairleads,dirt, mud and cutting edges are not factored in. Sand/dirt shortens the life of wire and rope, particularly the latter, it gets between the fibers and cuts them under strain. Sorry if this is TMI. Reference 'Merchant Marine Officers Handbook'for more detail of the above. | ||
| steve herrod (Sherrod) Member Username: Sherrod Post Number: 76 Registered: 02-2003 |
Rob; the 14,000 lbs number came from several web sites (here is one: http://www.masterpull.com/results.cfm?catid=364). I have a 12,000 lb milemaker hydralic winch which came with 125' of 3/8" diameter steel cable. i want to go to change the steel cable out to synthetic rope, but not sure why i need to spend the extra money for the 26k if the 16k is sufficient. | ||
| Justin V. Nevitt (What_rd) New Member Username: What_rd Post Number: 28 Registered: 02-2004 |
Compared to gear oil, this is one place I would spend more money and go ahead and get the "better" (more expensive, higher rated) unit. Reason: Rope is not as durable as cable is. The rope will wear when used against trees, dirt, rocks, or what ever else. Cables are considerably more durable when used properly. Gain the safety, save the weight, but spend the money and get the "better" unit; or, run the risk of replacing the "sufficient" unit more often. Peace. | ||
| Jaime (Blueboy) Senior Member Username: Blueboy Post Number: 944 Registered: 02-2002 |
my "rope" has 2-5' length sleeves to help prevent wear when using it. and while the rope is less durable, it doesn't kink which is the more common reason to replacing a wire cable. besides, the safety aspect more than makes up for any durability issues at least imho. I went for the same size diameter when changing mine out. the extra strength just increases the safety factor. Jaime  |
