Snatch block ratings

WantedWolf · May 4, 2009

How do they rate them? I bought the PA 3-ton version and I cant belive its only rated to 3-ton, thats still 6000# right? it weighs 24# and can accept 3/4" wire rope.
my winch is 10000# with 1/2" rope. double line pull would in theory allow a 20000# pull, true? so the snatch block should be rated for that 20k. Unless its because of the cheep steel this thing should take way more then
3 ton

I didnt really shop around much, any other recomendations for a heavy duty block? Maybe a better quality one would be less cumbersome.

snatch block 3 ton 6 in w/hook | Aircraft | Cable | Farm | Princess Auto

ampsucker · May 4, 2009

i wonder about this too. sometimes the chinese stuff isn't labeled very well.

i've had a hard time finding any affordable snatch blocks marked with anything close to the rating i would need for stuck vehicle recovery and when i do find anything, it's ridiculously expensive.

i suppose if it's marked for three ton, that's 6,000 lbs and it should handle any force up to that no matter what you're pulling it with. the entire assembly could end up being the weakest link in a system with a 10K winch and half inch cable.

also, it's probably marked with the working load limit (WLL) as opposed to the breaking strength which is 4 times that for most chain. not sure if this rule of thumb holds true for snatch blocks.

i'm thinking the only advantage to a snatch block of this size for your system would be to make the winch work less and draw less current. otherwise, you could get into trouble pretty fast if it fails with that much winch behind it.

i'm not exactly sure on this so maybe somebody with more experience will give a better answer?

amp

GreenWannabe · May 4, 2009

I've seen several recommendations for this supplier: Towing | Recovery | Repo| Safety| Service Truck Equipment and Supplies - AW Direct. All kinds of towing equipment, including snatch blocks.

ampsucker · May 4, 2009

i also just noticed on on cabellas for 80 bucks. it's 9 ton.

that sounds like a pretty good deal to me...

amp

WantedWolf · May 4, 2009

GreenWannabe said:
I've seen several recommendations for this supplier: Towing | Recovery | Repo| Safety| Service Truck Equipment and Supplies - AW Direct. All kinds of towing equipment, including snatch blocks.

Wow $$ an 8 ton clam/hook type is 240-280$

I really like the one advertised on Cabelas,

but its not on the Canadian site

Its warn brand so it shouldnt be to hard to find.

Im going to return this one for one I can trust.

Thanks for the help

DieselPower · May 5, 2009

Cheap ones are cheap for a reason, they break easily. Having worked in the towing industry and with lot's of freinds who own towing companies I can tell you from first hand experience that snatch blocks are something you don't want to go cheap on. AW Directs prices are right in line for the price of a good snatch block, that's where I get most of mine (actually from them on sale at the Baltimore Tow Show).

WantedWolf · May 5, 2009

DieselPower said:
Cheap ones are cheap for a reason, they break easily. Having worked in the towing industry and with lot's of freinds who own towing companies I can tell you from first hand experience that snatch blocks are something you don't want to go cheap on. AW Directs prices are right in line for the price of a good snatch block, that's where I get most of mine (actually from them on sale at the Baltimore Tow Show).

Have you formed an opinion on the Warn model shown above (19000#) ?

I like the compact design way better then the big cumbersome hook units.