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How Much Cable?

Discussion in 'Winches' started by haighfam, Apr 25, 2017.

  1. Apr 25, 2017
    haighfam

    haighfam Member

    Paradise, CA
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    How many feet of 3/8" cable will fill a Ramsey 200R?
     
  2. Apr 25, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    Book says 140', I put on 150' & there's 3 or 4 wraps left over.

    Disclaimer- I didn't put it on too tight so after it gets wound on under load there would be a bit more surplus.


    [​IMG]

    H.
     
  3. Apr 25, 2017
    haighfam

    haighfam Member

    Paradise, CA
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    Thanks, I'll go with 150'
     
  4. Apr 25, 2017
    gotime

    gotime Sick with the car bug

    Minneapolis,...
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    Isn't the cable suppose to be 5/16 not 3/8?
     
  5. Apr 25, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

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    Nope, 3/8" is correct.

    H.
     
  6. Apr 26, 2017
    gotime

    gotime Sick with the car bug

    Minneapolis,...
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    Is that specific to the 200R? My MX-200R is listed in the literature from Ramsey as 5/16 diameter.
     
  7. Apr 26, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Just my .02 -

    5/16" technically has the working strength, at least 'by the book.'
    But ⅜" will take more wear and tear over time.

    All my (pto) winches have had ⅜" on them. Personally I wouldn't feel right with 5/16"

    But Ramsey may feel a longer length capacity gives a more attractive selling point.
     
  8. Apr 26, 2017
    gotime

    gotime Sick with the car bug

    Minneapolis,...
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    Makes sense. I was just asking what was correct OEM spec for restoration. I put 5/16 on my resto as it was correct spec from Ramsey. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't wrong with my research as to what was originally on the equipment.
     
  9. Apr 26, 2017
    haighfam

    haighfam Member

    Paradise, CA
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    I am putting on 150' of 3/8" rated at 15,000 lb working load. Question is, when I double that back to the jeep using a pulley my load rating will drop to 7500 lb, is that right? I just want to make sure I have a safety factor. That shouldn't be a problem just pulling my own rig, but if I encounter a larger vehicle?
     
  10. Apr 26, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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  11. Apr 26, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

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    You're fine. Assuming you aren't exceeding the minimum bend radius of the cable it actually doubles (provided your snatch block is up to it)- 15k on the cable from the winch to the pulley, another 15k from the pulley back to wherever the cable ends at.

    Interestingly the place I bought my cable weren't happy about 3/8" on an 8K winch- they said there wasn't quite enough safety margin but they're used to selling to people who operate man rated systems.

    Per gotime lots of people do run 5/16" and do so without issue.

    earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?threads/winch-cable-experts-needed.114787/


    H.
     
  12. Apr 26, 2017
    gotime

    gotime Sick with the car bug

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  13. Apr 26, 2017
    gotime

    gotime Sick with the car bug

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    That's a great thread Howard! I didn't even think to look at that when I ordered my cable. I probably would have gone with the old spec anyway since mine probably won't see a lot of actual use since it's all restored.

    Side note: I ordered my cable from a local crane company and it's the aircraft grade. I told them it was for an 8K PTO winch and they didn't bat an eye at 5/16.
     
  14. Apr 26, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

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  15. Apr 26, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    The actual breaking strength ought to be about 5x the rated Working Load. Safety Factor is built in.

    More likely the hardware is the weak point - remember your snatch block will still be seeing the full 15,000# or whatever.
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2017
  16. Apr 26, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

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    Actually from what I can find the breaking strength of 3/8" cables all seem to be around 12,000 - 15,000 lbs; that jives with what my cable supplier was concerned about. See the document I listed above.

    H.
     
  17. Apr 26, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Correct. Which would then make the WL about 2400 to 3000 lbs. per that same document.
    Perhaps haighfam was mis-informed by his supplier, or someone who misused the terms

    My last comment stands as written.:) Large safety factors are used. And abused.

    But it confirms my gut feeling that 5/16" wouldn't be my first choice.
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2017
    dozerjim likes this.
  18. Apr 26, 2017
    gotime

    gotime Sick with the car bug

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    No ill intent intended. It's just the best example I could find easily for others to understand what we're discussing.

    This forum is a great place.
     
  19. Apr 26, 2017
    haighfam

    haighfam Member

    Paradise, CA
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    Contacted my cable supplier. Here was his recommendation: 3/8" cable (actually 6x19 wire rope) I installed will have 15,100 lb breaking strength. Working load rating (rolling) will be 1/3 of braking strength, thus 5000 lbs max. For vertical lift working load will be 1/5 or 3000 lbs., if using a pulley for vertical lift, 1500 lbs. Minimum pulley diameter 4" for rated bend radius, but he said 6" would be preferred for constant use. This is a very complex subject, sorry if I started a little controversy. After all the work I've put in this I probably will avoid situations where use of the winch is needed, but it will look good on the spool.
     
  20. May 19, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    But much more susceptible to wear and tear, am I right?
     
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