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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: Zukipilot on November 18, 2009, 10:01:36 AM

Title: Broken winch rope..... can it be fixed?
Post by: Zukipilot on November 18, 2009, 10:01:36 AM
So the other day I broke my winch rope when the operator that was final grading around my shop ended up on his side in a big bobcat.... needless to say the bobcat was to much for the winch rope and it snapped about 2' from the hook.... can a winch rope be fixed by re-braiding id around the hook? Who should I call to have do it?

Zig
Title: Re: Broken winch rope..... can it be fixed?
Post by: keith on November 18, 2009, 12:11:05 PM
I don't know but am curious as to whether it dropped benignly like they are supposed to or violently like a cable could?
Title: Re: Broken winch rope..... can it be fixed?
Post by: Bobzooki on November 18, 2009, 12:12:44 PM
This is the PERFECT opportunity to upgrade to synthetic winch rope.  Go to www.rockstomper.com (http://www.rockstomper.com)

For instance:

My Warn 6000 came with something like 50 or 75 feet of 5/8" steel.
I upgraded to 175 feet of 1/4 inch synthetic (rated at something like 9,000 pounds).
Title: Re: Broken winch rope..... can it be fixed?
Post by: zukimoo on November 18, 2009, 02:24:05 PM
cut it clean and then go buy some cable clevis clamps. They sell a little piece that will make the cable have a nice loop. You should always use three clamps and I like to put one in one direction and the other two in the other. I also like to leave a 2" space between each clamp.

There has always been a big argument about which way to face the clamp, how many and if to space them. My experience is that you space them to be able to see if the cable is slidding through. The one this way and two that way makes opposit pressure and the three well if i had the room I'd use 5......

My friend is a rigger and he showed me how to do it....he mounts cables all say. He can even brade them but that is a huge amount of work and I'm not into that.
Title: Re: Broken winch rope..... can it be fixed?
Post by: ebewley on November 18, 2009, 02:47:21 PM
Um, fellas... He has winch rope; not cable. :)

-Eric
Title: Re: Broken winch rope..... can it be fixed?
Post by: rascott on November 18, 2009, 07:49:06 PM
carefull about the cable clamp positioning-
 the "saddle" should be on the live part of the cable(wire rope).
"never saddle a dead horse"
rope can be braided. a good marine supply will have the tools, but mabe that should end up being a spare?
i think you found a core with a braided cover?
warning: i am not schooled on winch ropes- just yacht braid.
the wire rope thing i do know something about.
just thoughts
Title: Re: Broken winch rope..... can it be fixed?
Post by: Zukipilot on November 19, 2009, 10:11:26 AM
It is a synthetic winch rope... and yes it fell short of my vehicle when it broke, and I was only pulling with about 30'. I was actually disappointed when it snapped... with cables my old winch always ran out of muscle before a cable break... this was pulling strong, but it snapped well before I expected it to....

Zig
Title: Re: Broken winch rope..... can it be fixed?
Post by: sidekicksrock on November 19, 2009, 01:33:18 PM
who's line are you using? If you are using Masterpull or Xline they will fix it for you or you can find the instructions for an end to end splice on the net quite easily. You will need a fib or some people use bic pens with the ink part pulled out.

The thing to remember is that not all winch rope is created equal. The market is being flooded by cheap Chinese rope, like is sold by smittybilt. They don't tell you the actual break strength because it is not as strong as the brand name ropes. You also have to be careful of abrasion unguarded winch line will slice very easily when it is under tension. 
Title: Re: Broken winch rope..... can it be fixed?
Post by: blknight87 on November 19, 2009, 09:25:24 PM
cut it clean and then go buy some cable clevis clamps. They sell a little piece that will make the cable have a nice loop. You should always use three clamps and I like to put one in one direction and the other two in the other. I also like to leave a 2" space between each clamp.

There has always been a big argument about which way to face the clamp,

My friend is a rigger and he showed me how to do it....he mounts cables all say. He can even brade them but that is a huge amount of work and I'm not into that.

I work with Cables from 1/16th of an inch and smaller, all the way up to almost 2 in. in diameter... not to sound rude, but the rule of thumb on a clamped cable is... NEVER SADDLE A DEAD HORSE. there is only 1 correct way to do this.. I have seen cables rip ppls limbs off, then will rip you into 2... the smaller ones are more dangerous.. I prefer to back braid itself with a loop ring or guide, and then clamp it with 2 clamps... back braiding is very simple, and very clean and neat...  my .02
Title: Re: Broken winch rope..... can it be fixed?
Post by: Zukipilot on November 23, 2009, 09:51:11 AM
Heres the scoop... I contacted the distributor and they said that the would look at the rope and:
1- replace it if damage is not due to abuse
2- fix with by re-braiding the connection around the hoop at the end.

Will update later..
Z
Title: Re: Broken winch rope..... can it be fixed?
Post by: locjaw on November 23, 2009, 06:40:01 PM
a kit is sold by viking offroad here....... http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/winchrope.htm (http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/winchrope.htm)
scroll to the bottom
Title: Re: Broken winch rope..... can it be fixed?
Post by: Zukipilot on November 24, 2009, 05:25:53 AM
a kit is sold by viking offroad here....... [url]http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/winchrope.htm[/url] ([url]http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/winchrope.htm[/url])
scroll to the bottom


Cool, thanks for the link... may go that route if they do not take care of it.

Zig
Title: Re: Broken winch rope..... can it be fixed?
Post by: rebelzuk on December 01, 2009, 06:52:37 PM
AM Steel Blue is anothe great manufacturer of synthetic rope. I have pulled many many times and no problems at all.
Title: Re: Broken winch rope..... can it be fixed?
Post by: 1madzuk on December 12, 2009, 12:27:00 PM
You could send it to me and I'll fix it for you. I work in a paper mill, I've been splicing them for 29 years. I've spliced mine and have sewing the eyes for the safety thimble with zero issue.
Title: Re: Broken winch rope..... can it be fixed?
Post by: Zukipilot on December 14, 2009, 06:10:26 AM
Cool, thanks for the offer... if they do not fix it under warranty, I'll shoot you a PM.

Zig