Winch safety
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
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Winch safety
My off-road project came with this winch on it.
The winch appears to work, but the cable has some alarming kinks and frays in it and the unit does not have that plate most winches are mounted behind with rollers on it.
I'm guessing this winch isn't really safe to use as it sits; Although maybe they used to set them up like this and it's acceptable.
Should I try to find and
What are some good, relatively inexpensive cables?
Should there be some kind of roller assembly in front of this winch?
The winch appears to work, but the cable has some alarming kinks and frays in it and the unit does not have that plate most winches are mounted behind with rollers on it.
I'm guessing this winch isn't really safe to use as it sits; Although maybe they used to set them up like this and it's acceptable.
Should I try to find and
What are some good, relatively inexpensive cables?
Should there be some kind of roller assembly in front of this winch?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 225
Likes: 2
From: Berryville AR
If the cable has kinked and/or frayed places it probably should not be used. The damage most likely was caused by not having a roller fairlead to help guide the cable. If you can find a name & model you should be able to look up info on the capacity & cable size, and maybe parts & service info too. It looks very similar to a Pierce winch I have. Good luck with it.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
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A fairlead, ah so that's what that part is called. The controller in the cab says Thor on it, and the side of the winch is stamped either 8,000lbs or 8,500 lbs. Pretty sure it's 8,000 though.
What should I look for in a new cable? Synthetic, steel, what diameter, brand etc...
And what should be the minimum weight rating?
What should I look for in a new cable? Synthetic, steel, what diameter, brand etc...
And what should be the minimum weight rating?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 225
Likes: 2
From: Berryville AR
Look on the winch itself for a name & model, then do a google search for info. A steel (wire rope) cable should run $100 or less, a good synthetic line probably $300. And if you go synthetic you will need a polished aluminum fairlead, not steel roller.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,330
Likes: 17
From: Dryden, ON, Canada
If it says Thor, it probably is one. They made winches in the 70s, they are the typical worm drive winch like Pierce, the old Ramsey RE series, etc, big, heavy, slow, usually abused with low oil levels in the gearbox... But, they get the job done.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,924
Likes: 153
I get all my parts from US winch. They might have a used fairlead you never know what they have laying around, just have to ask them.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 104
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From: UK
Rather than use a cable, the preferred system is rope.
Winch competitions are pretty big over here and 99% of competitors use synthetic winch rope. The main reason is that it is safe. If a wire rope were to break, the recoil from the wire can do damage. Along with the fact that wire is horrible to handle and usually has strands sticking out that can cut you pretty easily.
Rope is just as strong as wire, the only downside is that it is easy to damage i.e. winching across a sharp edge. If it snaps whilst under tension then it'll either drop to the floor or spring a little bit - but even so if it hits someone it is not painful.
I personally will never go back to steel wire. I've had rope break on me whilst i've been in awkward positions and ended up in even more awkward :lol:
I do know people who are tree surgeons (our version of a basic lumberjack!) and they'll use a steel cable due to the amount of damage they're likely to cause a rope.
I've seen an anchor wire break whilst at sea, this was about 1.5" cable the recoil was tremendous !
G
Winch competitions are pretty big over here and 99% of competitors use synthetic winch rope. The main reason is that it is safe. If a wire rope were to break, the recoil from the wire can do damage. Along with the fact that wire is horrible to handle and usually has strands sticking out that can cut you pretty easily.
Rope is just as strong as wire, the only downside is that it is easy to damage i.e. winching across a sharp edge. If it snaps whilst under tension then it'll either drop to the floor or spring a little bit - but even so if it hits someone it is not painful.
I personally will never go back to steel wire. I've had rope break on me whilst i've been in awkward positions and ended up in even more awkward :lol:
I do know people who are tree surgeons (our version of a basic lumberjack!) and they'll use a steel cable due to the amount of damage they're likely to cause a rope.
I've seen an anchor wire break whilst at sea, this was about 1.5" cable the recoil was tremendous !
G
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,083
Likes: 4
From: Victoria , BC
5/16 cable should be fine for that size winch. If your worried about breaking a steel cable carry a big blanket,carpet or rubber mat to lay over the middle line so if it let's go the weight will let it drop.
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