The thing I hate most about operating an ATV winch is the probability I’m going to stabbed by one of those broken lines in the steel cable. Even as I type this I can feel that pain in my hands…and for some reason that pain is the kind that always hangs around for an hour. It’s just infuriating!
Thanks to a genius we now have the option to switch to a synthetic winch cable which is made from Dyneema fiber. Even though synthetic rope can cost twice as much a steel cable it’s well worth the investment into your ATV or UTV winch.
Here’s why:
Safer – Synthetic winch rope will not fray, so there’s not worrying about getting stuck by a broken line in the cable. By some chance the synthetic cable breaks, it won’t snap back. So there’s no chance of catching a flying winch cable to the face.
Stronger – Synthetic winch cable has a higher breaking strength than steel cable. Depending on which size cable, synthetic rope is 30% to 45% stronger compared to its counter part.
Resilient – Synthetic winch line won’t rust, kink or splinter and it’s more flexible.
Convenient – Easy to pull off the spool, coil in your hands and walk to a winching point without getting tangled up.
Lightweight – Synthetic winch cable is 80% lighter than steel cable.
It Floats – In those circumstances where an ATV or side by side needs recovered from water and a line has to be thrown out, a synthetic rope will float making is very easy to retrieve.
Repairable – If the rope breaks it can be spliced back together.
Need to Know Tips
- Small to medium sized ATV’s can use a 3/16” rope and large ATV’s and UTV’s should use a ¼” rope.
- You must replace the fairlead on your ATV winch if you switch over to a synthetic cable from a steel cable. The old fairlead is to rough from wear by the steel cable. It’s also recommended to use a Hawse style fairlead instead of a roller fairlead to reduce the chance of the line being pinched in the rollers.
- When you install the new synthetic cable make sure to wrap the spool in a manner that allows the rope to run directly through the center of the fairlead. Don’t cause unnecessary abrasion by winding the spool in a fashion that forces constant stress on the rope.
- Make sure to use a protective sheath at points where the cable is making contact during recovery, for instance, against timber or rocks. This will reduce the chances of premature wear.
- Extreme heat from planetary gear winch brakes can cause damage to the synthetic rope. Damage can start occurring at just 150 degrees. In circumstances that you must power out under load, it’s best to power out in short runs to help keep the brakes cool.
- Synthetic winch rope is very slippery, at a minimum keep 6-8 wraps on the spool before pulling your ATV or UTV out.
Small & Mid-Size ATV’s Large ATV’s & UTV’s
3/16 Synthetic Winch Cable
Synthetic Winch Rope Manufactures
Samson (Amsteel)