Winches require the use of winch cables or synthetic winch ropes. They help you move heavy objects or recover vehicles stuck in the mud. In order to use a winch, you must know how to tie synthetic winch rope. Now, that is where we come in. We carried out research and put together a comprehensive guide on how to tie synthetic winch rope. Read on to learn all about it.
Our Expert Recommended Synthetic Rope
What is Synthetic Winch Rope
Synthetic ropes are made using synthetic materials. They are woven together tightly to create a sturdy finished product. You must go with the sturdiest and most tenacious rope when it comes to choosing between different ones. These ropes are abrasion resistant, cost-effective and also quite lightweight. These qualities help make them suitable for winching operations.
Steps to Tie Synthetic Winch Rope
Let’s move on to the detailed process of tying up a synthetic winch rope. Following are the steps that you need to follow in order to do this procedure:
1. Winch inspection
First, you have to remove the roller fairlead and the steel cable from the winch. After that you must ensure there are no sharp objects on the drum of the winch that could result in damage to the synthetic winch rope when you mount it.
2. Fairlead inspection
The next step is to install a fairlead before spooling on the rope. Aluminum hawse fairleads having synthetic winch lines come with a smooth surface and so they help prevent any damage to the synthetic winch rope. On the other hand, cast steel hawse fairleads having synthetic ropes do not feature a smooth surface and so their use is not recommended. However, you may use steel rolling fairleads. All you have to do is ensure that the rollers are not distorted or gouged and are very smooth.
3. Drum attachment type
Before you remove the previous line from the winch, you must check how it was attached to the drum. Use an Allen bolt having a button head and insert it directly into the drum flange in order to connect the synthetic winch rope to the winch.
4. Laying the line
Before you spool the synthetic winch rope onto the winch, make sure you lay it out on the ground properly and uncoil it. This will help make it easier to spool the winch rope onto the winch.
5. Tying up the winch rope
Feed the winch line’s terminal through the fairlead to feed it over the drum and directly into the mounting point. Tie up the winch line using the shoemaker’s knot.
How to tie the shoemaker’s knot?
The following steps will help you tie a shoemaker’s knot:
1. Measuring the rope
Take the winch rope’s end and tape it on a surface in order to measure it accurately.
2. Taper the rope
Mark every second left and right strand in the taped end’s direction. Cut out all the marked strands and pull them out of the line. At the end, the lien will e left with 6 strands only. To prevent unbraiding of the rope, tape it back in position.
3. Thread the rope
Thread the tapered end of the rope from about two-third distance from the end. Pull this end four times from the longer end. Make sure you keep at least four braids between the stitches.
4. Bury the rope’s tail
Bury the rope’s tapered end in the rope’s middle. After the last stich, count up to four braids and open it up from there. Insert the tapered tail as well as the fid through here. Push this down the synthetic rope using a pusher. Make a mark towards the end of the rope and pull the tapered tail and fid from there. Make sure that the line does not twist.
5. Finishing up
Remove the fid after tightening the stitches. After this smooth out the external cover. Tie up the knot properly and ensure that there are no inconsistencies.
Pros of Synthetic winch rope
- There is no chance that this winch line will rust.
- It is very easy to field fix it.
- It is easier to handle the winch rope as compared to the steel cable.
- It floats on water so you will be able to keep an eye on it.
- It is even stronger than steel when it is being used for the first few times.
- It is not very heavy.
Cons of synthetic winch rope
- Quality of this rope may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
- It may freeze as it retains water.
- It is more expensive than steel cables.
- It needs protection from sunlight and debris.
- Sand and dirt may cause internal cuts to the rope.
- It may get damaged by UV rays.
- If the winch is overheated, again and again, the rope might go through heat aging.
Conclusion
Synthetic winch ropes can be quite useful when using winches. In this article, we described how to tie synthetic winch rope. The method involved inspecting the winch and fairlead and then properly laying and tying up the synthetic winch rope. Ensure safety precautions for a safe experience. We hope this article proved to be helpful for you and we will be waiting for your response in the comments section.
FAQ’s
1. Can you tie synthetic winch rope?
Answer: Yes, you can tie up a synthetic winch line and the whole process is described int this article.
2. Do you need a fair lead with synthetic rope?
Answer: Yes, a fairlead must be used with a synthetic rope as it allows for spooling.
3. What’s the strongest knot?
Answer: The strongest knot for a synthetic rope is the constrictor knot which is also simple and secure.
4. Can you put a synthetic rope on any winch?
Answer: Yes, a synthetic rope can be used with all kinds of winches.