Wire rope v. Synthetic

[RedMF40]

I’m looking at this winch as an upgrade from my current one that uses wire rope that I’ve always referred to as “steel cable.”

Anyway, I like the idea of going with synthetic rope but wanted to know if there are any drawbacks. Seems like it would wind on the drum easier, not sure about that. This winch gets pretty good reviews, should be ok for very occasional use on my trailer. Thanks for any thoughts.
Gerrit

 

[Hayfarmer]

I can't really tell you pros and cons but I know most jeep people go with the synthetic rope instead of wire rope if they can. I think it does wind better on winch and if it snaps not as apt to take out a windshield or person.

 

[moresmoke]

The cons to synthetic rope are it degrades in the sun, and if it rubs up against something while pulling it can be damaged/frayed.

A good steel wire rope can last a really really long time if taken care of. I have a winch that is 30+ years old and still has the original steel rope in it with no signs of damage.

The real danger with any winch use is the attachment hardware on the end breaking and the rope recoiling back at you. I have broken a fair number of cables between logging and working dozers. Never had a cable fly. They always just fell to the ground, but the dead end was still well attached to its anchor. If your hardware fails, a synthetic rope will still recoil.

 

[Wdj]

Wouldn't have to pick Jaggers out of your hands.

 

[Stephen Newell]

Depending on how much it's used the steel cable would last longer but the synthetic rope is stronger.

 

[RedMF40]

The cons to synthetic rope are it degrades in the sun, and if it rubs up against something while pulling it can be damaged/frayed.

A good steel wire rope can last a really really long time if taken care of. I have a winch that is 30+ years old and still has the original steel rope in it with no signs of damage.

The real danger with any winch use is the attachment hardware on the end breaking and the rope recoiling back at you. I have broken a fair number of cables between logging and working dozers. Never had a cable fly. They always just fell to the ground, but the dead end was still well attached to its anchor. If your hardware fails, a synthetic rope will still recoil.

I’ve pulled a few logs up my hill and stood well clear in case something snapped. Steel cable winch. I’m interested in your saying the cable won’t recoil. Not that I plan to put myself in harm’s way.

 

[Mule Meat]

The cons to synthetic rope are it degrades in the sun, and if it rubs up against something while pulling it can be damaged/frayed.

Not true. Synthetic rope does not degrade in sunlight. It does not fray when rubbed on something. Why do you think Non Roller Fairleads are recommended for them?

Synthetic rope is far better than wire. It doesn't rust, will not snag your hands when frayed, easier to pull out when free spooling and much less lethal should it break.

The biggest thing you need to watch when buying a winch with the rope included is the rope itself. A lot of cheaper companies will put 5 to 6000 lb rope on 10000+ lb winches as a way to cut cost. Best to contact the manufacturer and check if the rope matches the winch lb.

We do a lot of off roading which put us in mud, dust and water. With that said. I would recommend a good rope washer such as a PMI Bokat washer to clean synthetic winch line with. It makes cleaning rope easy when needed.

 

[RedMF40]

Not true. Synthetic rope does not degrade in sunlight. It does not fray when rubbed on something. Why do you think Non Roller Fairleads are recommended for them?

Synthetic rope is far better than wire. It doesn't rust, will not snag your hands when frayed, easier to pull out when free spooling and much less lethal should it break.

A lot of cheaper companies will put 5 to 6000 lb rope on 10000+ lb winches as a way to cut cost. Best to contact the manufacturer and check if the rope matches the winch

Seems like that should be criminal, putting a rope that’s rated lower than the winch. I’ll check, thanks.

The biggest thing you need to watch when buying a winch with the rope included is the rope itself. A lot of cheaper companies will put 5 to 6000 lb rope on 10000+ lb winches as a way to cut cost. Best to contact the manufacturer and check if the rope matches the winch

 

[m16ty]

Not true. Synthetic rope does not degrade in sunlight. It does not fray when rubbed on something. Why do you think Non Roller Fairleads are recommended for them?

Synthetic rope is far better than wire. It doesn't rust, will not snag your hands when frayed, easier to pull out when free spooling and much less lethal should it break.

The biggest thing you need to watch when buying a winch with the rope included is the rope itself. A lot of cheaper companies will put 5 to 6000 lb rope on 10000+ lb winches as a way to cut cost. Best to contact the manufacturer and check if the rope matches the winch lb.

We do a lot of off roading which put us in mud, dust and water. With that said. I would recommend a good rope washer such as a PMI Bokat washer to clean synthetic winch line with. It makes cleaning rope easy when needed.

I don't know, even all the manufacturers say that synthetic rope will degrade over time when exposed to sunlight.

 

[john in la]

Synthetic is uv sensitive.
It is sold as the latest and greatest thing because it will not whip back when broken.

But ask yourself why they still use wire rope on cranes if synthetic is so great.

 

[caterpillar guy]

They both have their places. A lot depends on the material the synthetic is made from if it is a poly rope it will get old and have bear claws on it just like a steel cable will. We had some netting on a backstop to our bagger decades ago and the rope got bad so we attached it with a poly rope and in a couple years setting out in the sun during seasonal use the poly got just like the bear claws in steel cable and if not careful would stick or catch on your hand or arm whatever rubbed it. On the other hand a nylon rope would not do that for a longer period of time and did not get stiff and brittle like the poly did. As for the recoil both will do that if broke under tension(pulling) I've seen those tow ropes recoil back when they broke or came unhooked pulling semis back when I was working in beet harvest. I've als seen steel cable recoil when broke or came unhooked from one end .Both will do it. The big thing is if you have it pulling over something like an edge then both will also chafe some or completely abrade to the point of breaking if pulled enough that way. It will also then recoil upward when it does break. And both poly and nylon will deteriorate in the sun and out of the sun at a much slower rate than in the sun. So If you go with synthetic I would find a way to cover it when not in use. With steel if you oil it well and keep it oiled and covered so the rain doesn't wash the oil off it will last well and longer than the synthetic will. IT needs the cover to keep the water from washing the oil off though. And steel will also still get bear claws from the flexing over time just no getting around it.

 

[Jim.ME]

Synthetic is uv sensitive.
It is sold as the latest and greatest thing because it will not whip back when broken.

But ask yourself why they still use wire rope on cranes if synthetic is so great.

Synthetic ropes, in place of wire rope, have been an option on cranes for a number of years.

 

[EFV]

Synthetic rope won't pinch like steel will when rewinding on winch spool. Every kink
in steel line where it tightened over itself is a fifty percent reduction in strength is what I was
taught. Keeping line rewinding properly can be difficult so poly prevents weakening of line.

 

[m16ty]

Synthetic ropes, in place of wire rope, have been an option on cranes for a number of years.

Yes, and most electric companies use them on their cranes because it’s non-conductive. You don’t see it on your average crane though because it’s more apt to get damaged and it doesn’t last as long as wire rope. Another big drawback is it’s hard to tell UV damage by visual inspection.
Synthetic is more suited for recovery winches than it is overhead lifting. Why do you think that 99% of new cranes sold today come with wire rope on them?

 

[Jim.ME]

Yes, and most electric companies use them on their cranes because it’s non-conductive. You don’t see it on your average crane though because it’s more apt to get damaged and it doesn’t last as long as wire rope. Another big drawback is it’s hard to tell UV damage by visual inspection.
Synthetic is more suited for recovery winches than it is overhead lifting. Why do you think that 99% of new cranes sold today come with wire rope on them?

Can you link your source for the 99% of new cranes have wire rope?

 

[WNYBill]

I've considered synthetic for my Farmi winch, but I think you would have to carefully polish pulleys and snatch blocks, anything the rope rubbed on. And use a sleeve on the first 10-20 feet that rubs on the ground.

 

[RedMF40]

Thanks for the replies. I’ll go with the winch that I posted a picture of, it’ll be a step up from what I have now. If I use it once a month, that would be a lot.
Gerrit

 

[john in la]

Can you link your source for the 99% of new cranes have wire rope?

I don’t call a boom on the back of an electric truck or a gantry in a building a crane.
I’m talking construction cranes from 100 to 1000 ton capacity.
Synthetic is to prone to UV damage to be used in that situation.
And it’s real easy to check a wire rope by running it through a shop rag.
Checking a synthetic rope is much harder.
So they may be out there but I have never seen or heard of it.

 

[GChief]

Thanks for the replies. I’ll go with the winch that I posted a picture of, it’ll be a step up from what I have now. If I use it once a month, that would be a lot.
Gerrit

I have yet to get a "bad" product from Vevor.

 

[Janicholson]

I’m looking at this winch as an upgrade from my current one that uses wire rope that I’ve always referred to as “steel cable.”

Anyway, I like the idea of going with synthetic rope but wanted to know if there are any drawbacks. Seems like it would wind on the drum easier, not sure about that. This winch gets pretty good reviews, should be ok for very occasional use on my trailer. Thanks for any thoughts.
GerritView attachment 127576

Vevor is certainly Chineese, that being said, I have had good luck with their products. Jim