Posted by David Sherman on Wednesday, December 19, 2001 at 3:09AM :
In Reply to: Re: Winch Cable Question posted by Clint Dixon on Tuesday, December 18, 2001 at 11:14PM :
An old rigging book of mine says that the main purpose of the fiber core is to hold lubricant that will then be released gradually as the wire rope is used. They state that the rope will last much longer if kept lubricated periodically, which is ideally done by running it through a pan of warm oil. Oil probably preserves the fiber core as well. They only recommended steel-core ropes for use in places that are too hot for the fiber core, like steel mills.
And yes, the diameters of winch drums and snatch blocks are pretty much always less than what's recommended in the rigging books, and as a result, a rope that's been wound on a winch under serious strain does take a permanent set. I know we never oil our winch cables or use proper-sized drums and blocks, but maybe that's why most old winch cables are a rusty, snarly, frazzled mess.
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