Steel Cable vs Plasma Rope

[VladTepes]

Which for a winch ?

http://piranhaoffroad.com.au/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/t/i/tirfor_winch_cable.jpg

or

http://gigglepin4x4-shop.co.uk/WebRoot/StoreDaily/Shops/eshop343529/4A89/5760/AF6F/8CEC/9004/C0A8/0ADD/FBE1/Plasma_0020_Orange.gif
and why ?

[Blknight.aus]

depends...

most people wont find the limits and disadvantages of plasma rope for their usual usages so plasma rope is pretty much the way to go.

those who are likely to find the disadvantages of plasma rope will be aware of them beforehand and so will have SWR.

[Rangier Rover]

Looking into winches here also.
The problems I can see with rope. Wont like a hot internal drum braked winch, Has to be kept free of sand and grime or will shorten its life, wont enjoy direct sunlight if your vehicle goes to work every day as two of mine do.
The rope is nice and light, easier to handle than the more durable heavy cable. Cable also has a limited life.
I'll be using cable on my 120". Probably rope on the Rangie and Trytoo.
Thats three winches:eek:

[Psimpson7]

I would and do use wire.

While I agree that plasma is lovely to work with it is too easy to damage, especially if you are dragging stuff around, and too expensive.

Rgds
Pete

[weeds]

steel cable for.....cheap as well

[windsock]

Working in riverbeds with firewood/self-recovery and in the bush with mud and abrasion - wire rope all the time. Cheap, predictable with wear and tear and with the right precautions/maintenance just keeps going and going and going. Cheap too.

However, horses for courses. I see many around here who have plastic fantastic for weekend playtime and it suits them to a tee.

If I was in their situation where all I did was occasional self-recovery and liked light gear I'd do the same.

[rick130]

Oh thank my deity, I thought I was the last bugger here to still use wire cable :D

I drag logs, pull over trees, straighten fences, retrieve errant motorists out of culverts and in a past life pulled cows out of dams with the winch, oh, and I have been known to hook the cable up to the fence and pull the engine over in top gear to do the rockers too :angel:

I see a thread like this and go "Hmm, rope, lighter and no roller fairlead" but talk myself out of it pretty smartly.

It isn't widely known, but a protruding roller fairlead on the front is a no-no as far as registration/licensing authorities are concerned too.

[VladTepes]

unless your bar like the ARB is designed for it.

[isuzurover]

I went rope because:
(a) lighter
(b) safer
(c) I had a winch designed for it (external brake)
That is on a tourer which will usually be garaged between trips.

On the IIA, I will be fitting an 8274 which will be running wire because:
(a) I will be running a mid mounted setup
(b) I will probably use it for all the sorts of things Rick mentions...

[Scouse]

I use steel cable in my winch.
Have you tried to thread plasma rope through a Tirfor?

[weeds]

I use steel cable in my winch.
Have you tried to thread plasma rope through a Tirfor?

i always thought winch wire rope and tirfor wire rope were different construction

[Scouse]

No idea, I've only used a Tirfor.
The steel cable in the original post looks like Tirfor cable to me.

[rick130]

unless your bar like the ARB is designed for it.

The OE Land Rover-ARB winch bars have the fairlead proud of the bumper bar, if you look at late model Patrol and Land Cruiser bull bars the fairlead is recessed into the bumper to conform to ADR's.

I was made aware of this situation when registering mine in NSW back in '02.

[VladTepes]

Given the old bars have the fairlead bracket proud of the bar I assume this kinda rules out synthetic rope as if the angle of the cable was uphill enough it would rub on this fairlead bracket (not used in a synthetic application) and cut it ?

[abaddonxi]

i always thought winch wire rope and tirfor wire rope were different construction

Tirfor rope has a core so the jaws don't crush it. I think that winch rope doesn't have a core.

[B92 8NW]

Given the old bars have the fairlead bracket proud of the bar I assume this kinda rules out synthetic rope as if the angle of the cable was uphill enough it would rub on this fairlead bracket (not used in a synthetic application) and cut it ?

Yep, that's my only concern. Fortunately my winch had the option of either, so if I get sick of the rope I'll just swap fairleads and cable.

[weeds]

Tirfor rope has a core so the jaws don't crush it. I think that winch rope doesn't have a core.

that would be it

[rick130]

The Land Rover winch bar doesn't have the reinforcing plate that the aftermarket ARB bar does, so an aluminium fairlead can be used easily.

Anyway, it wouldn't take much to hack off the bracket and grind with an angle grinder on the aftermarket one.

[Tank]

Tirfor ropes have an extra strand in the middle of the 6 outer strands as does any rope wound onto a drum (winch/crane/hoist) or run over a grooved pulley, this 7th strand resists flattening/squashing the wire rope cable, normal wire rope used in slings etc. have 6 outer strands with a rope core in the middle, this rope core is soaked in lubricant and lubricates the 6 outer strands. Rope core wire cable cannot be used in a Tirfor and should not be used on a winch drum or a snatch block, if it is the cable will be damaged and may fail.
Tirfor and winch cable are usually 7 strand/19/24 wires /strand (IWRC) and are not as flexible as wire cable 6 strand 19/24 wires/strand used for slings, Regards Frank.

[DeeJay]

I have gone to plasma for lightweight up front. Ive kept a chain for dragging logs.
One question ( still on topic I guess) I would think plasma doesn't need a damper as there is little kinetic energy?

[miky]

Personally I have never had it break but people who have say there is no whiplash like the steel rope and you can just tie a knot in it to keep going.

[whitakerb]

I have gone to plasma for lightweight up front. Ive kept a chain for dragging logs.
One question ( still on topic I guess) I would think plasma doesn't need a damper as there is little kinetic energy?

The CCDA regs still require a winch dampener with synthetic rope. The difference being, that with synthetic, the dampener must be attached to the hook, and with steel cable it must be in the middle third of the line. Plasma is certainly much easier to drag up the hill when you didn't spool enough out before the stage. ;)

Ben