I just bought a winch and want to get rid of the steel cable.
So i wanted to know, for those of you that have a synthetic winch rope (or steel), what length are you running and why?

 

I have an 80' Rockstomper line.

It is great because the shorter rope makes it less likely to jam on the winch drum if the rope piles up, it allows more pulling power with less line extended and it costs less.

I also carry a 60' T-MAX winch extension strap should I ever need to go further.

Lamm

 

I have a 100' of Amsteel Blue. Was told that would work well on the M8000. Of course, I bought a 9.5ti...

(Can't remember if it was 5/16 or 3/8 - I'll measure today)

 

I bought 100' but cut off 10' to make a tree saver which can also be used as an extension. So 90' on the spool and about 8' in reserve.

Also, you can get the protective sheath at REI for like 20 cents per foot or so.

 

85' of 3/8's Rockstomper.

Rememeber if you go to synthetic, you can fit a little more, but then you can offset that by upsizing.

 

Usually rope != tree saver. A tree saver is a wide strip of webbing that distributes the load on the tree over a much broader contact point than a strand of rope would.

What did you build? Strap with rope extensions? Braided into a strap? You have my curiosity up.

 

Same here ... also seems an awful expensive option for a tree saver...

Using too narrow a "tree strap" will cut a ring in the bark and kill the tree.

 

I just used a rachet tie-down to pull out some dude, no need winch, or rope, just a 6' tie-down... lol!!

 

The one I made is similar to these (more like the second link):

http://www.masterpull.com/cpage.cfm?cpid=426
http://www.redrock4x4.com/shop/products/1199.html

Basically, winch rope, with several layers of thick webbing around it to cushion the tree. The tree saver ends up being about 2" thick. Edit: on second thought, those pictures don't really do it justice. It ends up being much thicker than what the pictures look like. But like I said, it's a good 2" thick.

As for expense, at $150 for 100' of 5/16" winch rope, that comes out to $1.50 per foot, so $10.50 for my tree saver. Add $5-10 for more webbing from REI. Rockstompers 6' tree saver is $20 and the 10' is $30.

 

Hmm... I have never really thought of it being padding that does the job of a tree saver, more of width, for spreading the load. I was using a three inch wide strap, but was still seeing some chafing of the bark, so I went with a 4" wide version and now the tree is completely unharmed, except for the scuffed moss.

I would not have thought something that narrow would do the job, padded or not.

 

THIS is what I think of when I say "tree saver";

http://www.deist.com/item.asp?item_id=411221513411065

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...=amd-google-20

 

Do we have anymore winch owners here?

Thanks for the replies, i'm leaning towards a 80' or 90' line....just not sure if i should get 5/16 or 3/8 though. I have a 9.5ti.

 

I'm still running the 125' of cable that came with the warn xd9000i. Here in the desert, there has has been more than one occasion when I needed more length.

I used to carry 3 beefy metal stakes to pound into the ground on such occasions. The first time I needed 'em, they all broke like toothpicks. Lesson learned. I should definitely invest in a better anchor... Or a longer cable... Or lockers.

 

Seen guys use axles a anchors. Cant imagine a rear axle out of some old Detroit iron costing that much.

 

That's a great idea. I'll look into that.

 

Also have heard of people burying their spare as an anchor too. just seems like to much work to me.

 

I've heard of that as well. In most of my desperate situations, the spare is nearly impossible to get to (under the truck). And the ground is too damned frozen to dig. I really like the axle idea. Get 3 of 'em. Sharpen the hell outta one end, and pound 'em right into the ground. Awesome.

 

Little grinder action, it'll be all good.

Sorry for the Hi-jack Rocket.

Don't have a winch mounted on anything, still sitting in the garage. but according to my wife i have enough to hang myself.:pat:

 

Geee. I don't blame ya... You aint gonna be pullin' no 116mph with that extra weight.

 

thats just wrong....