Winch line questions...

[JimLS]

Was looking for some 1/2" cable to be used with a winch or direct pulling with a block for some stump removal and such. Ran across someone with 1/2" cable but it has turned out to be elevator cable. Looking into this some this size elevator cable can have breaking strength from 7200 to over 20,000 lbs so I am a bit leary of buying it even though the price is good ($0.50/ft) Other question is flexibility. Any suggestions on where to find reasonable prices on cable, blocks, etc and what size I should be looking at? I think most 8000 lb winches use 3/8" but that is way over the usual derating to 20% of breaking strength. When I was in the northwest we had old logging stuff that was so oversized we never had to give it a thought but I don't have any of that now... Tractor is Kubota L3600

 

[BruceWard]

The safe working load limit for steel cable is typically 1/5th to 1/6th of the break strength. My understanding is that the cable will be damaged if it is stressed to more than 40% of the break strength.

Personally I am using a recovery (tow) strap with my B21 to pull logs. If I were using a winch I would use something like Amsteel Blue. I know a guy who was killed as the result of a tow chain breaking so I do my best to avoid breaking chains or cables.

The strap I am using cost less than $20 and has a break strength of 20,000 pounds. I broke it dragging a tree that had not been fully cut from the root a few years ago. I tied the ends back together and it works just fine.

 

[eanjay]

Suggest you locate a dealer selling logging winches - Farmi or the likes! I have a smaller model on a MF1523 that is rated for pulling 3 tons, The 160ft. of cable is about 5/16 and has done a lot of pulling - strait, and through 'snatch-blocks'. It's never broken - yet!

EanJay

 

[saltbranch]

JimLS do you know what the 1/2" cable design is? 6x19, 6x36, 7x19...I am not that familar with elevator wire rope, we do not sell much to that industry.
Ratings on minimum breaking force for 3/8" 6x19 and 6x36 IPS wire rope is 6.1 tons. For example 6x36 wire rope is more flexible than 6x19. Its been awhile since I spliced eyes in wire rope etc. I've been over shop equipment so long Ive forgotten the specs on wire to speak with confidence.I'll have more info tomorrow, gotta look it up at work.

 

[carpenter383]

Was looking for some 1/2" cable to be used with a winch or direct pulling with a block for some stump removal and such. Ran across someone with 1/2" cable but it has turned out to be elevator cable. Looking into this some this size elevator cable can have breaking strength from 7200 to over 20,000 lbs so I am a bit leary of buying it even though the price is good ($0.50/ft) Other question is flexibility. Any suggestions on where to find reasonable prices on cable, blocks, etc and what size I should be looking at? I think most 8000 lb winches use 3/8" but that is way over the usual derating to 20% of breaking strength. When I was in the northwest we had old logging stuff that was so oversized we never had to give it a thought but I don't have any of that now... Tractor is Kubota L3600

I have a 12,000lb winch on my jeep it has 3/8 cable.
I bought 100ft. of 1/2 in. wrecker cable on ebay (can't remember the price) it's pretty flexible. I doubt I could break it with my tractor, jeep, and both 4x4 pickup trucks pulling on it
Choker cables on skidders are generally 1/2in cable.
I'm sure there are different types of cable that are better than others

 

[JimLS]

A logging winch would be great but I have a very limited amount of use for this heavy gear so the cost isn't justified.

Is that 3 tons straight pull or doubled with a block (meaning cable tension would be 1.5 tons)? Standard 5/16 cable is rated for 9800 lbs. 3 T would be 61% of that. Seems like 1.5T (30%) is probably the case.

Standard 7 x 19 - 3/8 cable has a breaking strength of 14,400 lbs. I am guessing I can pull about 4000 lbs with the rear differential locked and 4 wheel drive engaged but that's just a guess. That would be about 28% of breaking strength. I am reasonably sure I am below 40%. I was wanting to go with 1/2" to get a little more safety factor but apparently it is not available in 7 x 19. A local rigging supply has suggested 6 x 25 stranding. But of course the 1/2" is considerably more than the 3/8 (well over 3 times as much).


I did find a used hydraulic winch rated at 8000 lbs but I have been unable to get details on the motor and be able to figure what it would develop at 2500 PSI. I could limit it with a pressure relief and be safer/have more control than simply pulling on it. Had considered that route and mounting it to the top of a box blade.

 

[Scotty370]

Not a safety cop here.........but although elevator cable cable must be super strong, (They've got a lot to lose on a failure) the wheels on a Elevator unit's gotta be 3'-5' in diameter. I question the bending radius in winch application. In any event, I'd throw a blanket or such over any stressed cable. We use a jacket, even when using little ATV winches. ~Scotty

 

[Egon]

Suggest you find some local suppliers of wire rope and ask some questions.

 

[20 20]

. In any event, I'd throw a blanket or such over any stressed cable. We use a jacket, even when using little ATV winches. ~Scotty

Very good advice, and for the cuople of seconds wasted on throwing something over the line one could be saving years of a life.

 

[eanjay]

A logging winch would be great but I have a very limited amount of use for this heavy gear so the cost isn't justified.

Is that 3 tons straight pull or doubled with a block (meaning cable tension would be 1.5 tons)? Standard 5/16 cable is rated for 9800 lbs. 3 T would be 61% of that. Seems like 1.5T (30%) is probably the case.

The Farmi winch is rated 3 tons straigh pull, and can be made easier using a pully I guess.

I was just suggesting winch dealer as a good source of logging cable - even just to get information etc. The cable of my winch has a flexible center core to increase handling.

EanJay