logging winch cable

   / logging winch cable #1  

4000su

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I need to replace my cable on my old Farmi Winch. I have the new cable with a grab hook attached at the end. Looking for any advice on (1) unspooling the packaged cable, (2) I understand the cable is suppose to be spooled onto the winch drum under tension--what have folks used to do that, (3) how to attach the cable to the drum--it's an older model and there is no type of cable clamp as part of the drum. Thanks for any help.
 
   / logging winch cable #2  
I have never replaced one. If it came on a spool with the hook inside I would try to winde it on the drum spool to spool. Otherwise I don't know - get it all layed out, hook it on to something heavy and winch it on. Try not to add twists.
I rewind mine once in a while. I hook on to a stump with a choker and drive out until the cable is all played out. Then I winch in to put good tension on the cable. I leave it that way over nite. In the morning I get in the tractor and winch it back in from the seat with the tractor in neutral. The weight of pulling the tractor tensions the cable so it winds good.

How is the original cable attached to the drom ?

This might help http://www.stren-flex.com/wire-rope-handling.aspx
 
   / logging winch cable #3  
It is inevitable that the cable will not be rewound under tension all the time during use, so don't lose too much sleep over this. It would help to put some tension on it for a complete wind as it will sit on the drum better, but that could be as simple as just dragging a small log section or weight as you wind it the first time. When using it, you will have times when the choker or cable come loose and get wound up under no tension for a bit, or when pulling it in for the final time as you are packing up. Also if you find you have to pull it in to reposition or because you can't pull the size log you've got and need to try something different.

If it is like mine, it uses a U-bolt to secure it through the face of the drum. In this pic you can see where the legs of the U are bolted through the face of the drum. Mine broke and I had to find a new one, which I got from the hardware store. It did not fit well as I am sure the original is metric, but I was able to bend it enough to fit. If you have the time to get the original size, that would be best, IMHO.

Winch_disassemble(1)_ubolt (Large).jpg
 
   / logging winch cable
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Gordon-thanks for the great cable reference. Lots of good advice in it and thanks for the hint on retightening during use.

Dave--thanks for the helpful picture. My Farmi doesn't have any means of locking down the cable end before starting to spool in the rest of the new line. Yours looks like a possible solution to that. I'll have to see if I can drill through the thick drum plate and get a u-clamp that will fit just one layer of cable.

Wayne
 
   / logging winch cable #5  
What model do you have? There are manuals and info available online... There has to be a way to secure the free end of the cable. If you can find your model number or post some pics, I might be able to track it down.
 
   / logging winch cable #6  
I've clamped a couple short pieces of 2X6 together over the cable and make the winch pull the cable through them to get the cable wound tight. I also wiped or sprayed oil on it while doing it. It eeems to make the cable more flexible and wind up tighter. Might be my imagination. I saw these techniques on Ice Road Truckers.
 
   / logging winch cable #7  
get a u-clamp that will fit just one layer of cable.

Use a wire rope clip of the correct size and remove the saddle, just use the u-bolt.
 
   / logging winch cable #8  
I've clamped a couple short pieces of 2X6 together over the cable and make the winch pull the cable through them to get the cable wound tight. I also wiped or sprayed oil on it while doing it. It eeems to make the cable more flexible and wind up tighter. Might be my imagination. I saw these techniques on Ice Road Truckers.

Is your cable rope core or wire core? Depending on the oil it might adversely affect a rope core. DON'T use grease or old motor oil. Grease will trap any dirt or grit which will work itself between the individual cable wires and cause wear. Used motor oil has gunk in it which wiladverselyly affect thcablele too.


How to inspect and when to replace your wire rope
http://www.unionrope.com/Resource_/TechnicalReference/1127/How-to-extend-wire-rope-service-life.pdf

you may need to register to view the above document.
 
   / logging winch cable #9  
Nothing like a new cable ;-)
 
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   / logging winch cable #10  
On my Farmi there is a heavy cable clip on the outside of the drum, the surface facing tractor when mounted. There is a hole in the drum. Pass cable thru hole to outside drum, wrap around shaft hub 3/4 of a turn and capture with clip. Here is a picture from manual, Maybe yours is like this also.

You may need to enlarge to see.
 

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