As you set up your winch, one of the most important things to consider is the winch line. What type of cable or rope should you choose, and more importantly, what size winch line is best?
The winch line will depend greatly on the job at hand and how often you’re likely to use it. If you’re not sure how much you need or what size, go ahead and ask the winch manufacturer.
How Long?
The length of the cable is also important. It’s not about how much you can actually fit on your drum, but rather how much length you need. The first wrap on the drum has the most pull. This is how your winch is rated and every turn of the winch decreases the pulling power, as it needs more power to turn the drum.
If you overload the drum, it can contribute to the winch damage and damage to the line. It can also result in uneven spooling, which can cause further damage and more difficult extractions. Uneven spooling or bunching of the line can happen when the line is pulled at an extreme angle.
Winch Line Diameter
How wide should your line be? It completely depends on what you’re lifting or hauling. You should aim for a cable that is 1.5 to 2 times the winch’s pulling power. This means a winch with 10,000 lb of pulling power requires a line with a safety factor of 15,000-20,000 lbs. This ensures minimal risk of breakage.
There are more than a few types of winch lines, so it’s a good idea to look for the narrowest option possible with the necessary breaking strength. This will depend on the brand of the cable, as well as the material used. Synthetic winch lines will be different from metal cables and the method used to create them can also change what the strength is.
Looking for top quality winches and winch products? Contact Atlas Winch and Hoist to learn how we can help. We offer a variety of products that suit every winching need.
