Posted by Andy T on Wednesday, December 19, 2001 at 1:43PM :
In Reply to: Winch Cable Question posted by Drew Rogers on Tuesday, December 18, 2001 at 10:44PM :
Drew: Be very careful when buying winch cable. There are too many variations to go into here. I bought 7/16", 6x19, IWRC, IPS cable. What that means is that it is 7/16" OD, I has 6 outer strands made up of no less than 19 individual strands (usually considerably more), has a steel wire core, and is made of improved plow steel. IPS is improved plow steel and is stronger and more flexible the plain plow steel, EIPS is a little better yet. I would stay away from the fiber core. I bought 150' feet of 7/16" because it is easier to handle than 1/2" and it is strong enough. I would buy any cable that had less than a 14,000 pound breaking strength. Remember, cable is rated in breaking strength, NOT (WLL) working load limit. A 1/2" grade 70 chain has a WLL of 11,300 pounds, but a breaking strength of 4 times that (45,200). You can put more cable on a drum, but remember a winch is strongest on it's first layer of cable. A pull that a winch can make on it's first layer of cable may break the shear pin on it's last layer of 200' of 1/2" cable. Not likely, but possible. Make sure they use a steel ferrule to crimp the cable, not aluminum. Don't skimp on the chain end either. I am always amazed when you see a winch with a very expensive and strong 1/2" cable and a very cheap and weak proof coil (grade 30) chain & hook assembly. The assembly is only as strong as it's weakest link. That should be the shear pin. Always carry extra shear pins and you can double the strength of a winch with a snatch block.
Regards, Andy Tierney
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