IllinoisJim
ArboristSite Member
I have limited experience with rigging and have been planning to put together a speedline and light, fast winch for moving 200 lb. blocks of wood up steep hillsides. I started thinking steel cable but am now thinking rope may be easier to handle and setup. The stationary support line will have about 1200 lbs of tension max and the winch line less than 200 lbs. At these loads I am thinking I should be able to avoid brace lines as the anchor points will be in 12"+ trees and only up to about 15 feet up. Need about 250' of line for longest runs. Was thinking 1/4 and 3/16 cable. Cable is cheaper but kinking issues and attachment to trees will be more trouble. With cable I need straps, clevis for tree anchors to avoid tree damage. For end anchors I thought I could move the end fittings by using "twin base" clips to prevent cable damage but still a lot of work to move the rigging. Not sure twin clips are even available in these small cable sizes. If I understand correctly rope is often just tied around the anchor trees making setup much easier.
For these loads 1/8" amsteel is the cheapest I have found that meets the load requirements (2300 lb breaking strength) for the winch line (about $.40/ft). (discoverd it was available in small sizes when I stumbled across wakeboarding winches) For the mainline I am having a bit more trouble finding a low cost line. Wesspurr has 3/8" Tenex TEC line for $.40/foot and gives what looks like a reasonable safety factor (breaking strength 6100 lb). But I did notice a note that it is "susceptible to plucking and abrasion if it is run over the bark of a tree".
How do Amsteel, Tenex TEC, and other lines compare in terms of wear resistance in this type of use? Other factors I may have overlooked? This will get somewhat limited use so wear resistance and ease of use need to considered but balanced against cost...
Looking for advice and comments from those with more experience.
For these loads 1/8" amsteel is the cheapest I have found that meets the load requirements (2300 lb breaking strength) for the winch line (about $.40/ft). (discoverd it was available in small sizes when I stumbled across wakeboarding winches) For the mainline I am having a bit more trouble finding a low cost line. Wesspurr has 3/8" Tenex TEC line for $.40/foot and gives what looks like a reasonable safety factor (breaking strength 6100 lb). But I did notice a note that it is "susceptible to plucking and abrasion if it is run over the bark of a tree".
How do Amsteel, Tenex TEC, and other lines compare in terms of wear resistance in this type of use? Other factors I may have overlooked? This will get somewhat limited use so wear resistance and ease of use need to considered but balanced against cost...
Looking for advice and comments from those with more experience.