Synthetic Winch Line Extension

[Bob R1]

When using a Winch primarily with Snatch Blocks, or Winch Rings you can need the Winch Line to be longer than 80-100 feet on the winch drum. Make that 70' thru 90' of use-able line after leaving a wrap on the Drum. This is where the Winch Line Extension comes in to play. I have been getting by using my 2" x 20' Flat Straps for extensions pulling trees over, however they will not work if you are needing the extension ran through a Snatch Block or Winch Ring. I watched a recovery yesterday where a Synthetic Winch Line Extension was needed. They were pulling a stuck vehicle forward using a winch on a vehicle off to the side. They had Two Snatch Blocks using Tree Saver Straps to make an indirect pull. One Snatch Block in front of the stuck vehicle, and the second Snatch Block off to the side pretty much in-front of the Winching Vehicle. This took a lot of line to make work.
I have noticed that Winch Line Extensions come in lots of different lengths from 25 Feet on the Short End to I believe 150 feet on the Long End. So far I have been adding TWO of my 2" X 20 Foot Flat Straps for added length on my tree pulls. For my use I believe that 50 foot Synthetic Winch Line Extension would be a good length. Keep in mind the line can be too long. You can shorten a long line up by looping it through Shackles, Soft or Hard. However when you do this you might as well of used a Flat Strap. My thought would be that TWO Shorter Line's would be handier most of the time than a SINGLE Long Line.
Where I see myself using the Synthetic Winch Line Extension would be using Snatch Blocks to either redirect a pull, or looped back to the vehicle through a Snatch Block reducing Line Speed as well as pulling force required.
Where I am working right now, I am doing Indirect pulls, pulling trees down so that my Roxor is not in line with the falling tree. I can see where using more than One Snatch Block might be handy redirecting a pull.

Just wondering if any of the Roxor Crew are using a Synthetic Winch Line Extension, or for that matter Flat Straps with Winch Pulls?

Bob R

 

[psychmarxs]

I snapped my winchline pulling myself out of late season snow. I need to finda replacement. Does anyone have any recommendations? have a 12k Ironman winch.

Tutuapp 9apps​

 

[txroadkill]

I used Tactical Recovery Equipment when I respooled my 8274. Can’t say I’ve worked this rope really hard but I’ve done a few pulls with it and it’s held up great so far. Haven’t noticed any deterioration from UV And I’ve had it since 2021. back then they seemed like a good value and I think they still are.

 

[Bob R1]

I changed out the Steel Cable on my Badlands ZXR 12000 lb winch with a Harbor Freight 3/8 x 80 foot synthetic line. (I kept the steel line, by the way) No one seems to have any complaints on this line that I have read. I am sure that is the line that comes on the Harbor Freight APEX Winch. I am pretty sure UV will kill any Synthetic Line that I use before wear and tear will kill it. I did research before buying my Synthetic Line, and decided to go with the Harbor Freight synthetic line even though I did fine less expensive lines.
I do not rock craw, or for that matter drive in places that I should not have been. I do not see myself doing any hairy vehicle recoveries with a winch. My normal winch use is around the farm mainly pulling trees around. I really can not justify spending $300 - $500 on a winch line for what I do with a winch. I would leave the steel cable on before spending hundreds on a synthetic line that will need changed out sooner or later. Just my two cents.

Bob R