Winch Cable or Rope?

[Scotty Dive]

I have a SmittyBilt XRC 8 that I use occasionally for winching a dead vehicle onto a trailer and use it primarily in the woods moving fallen trees and logs and the occasional boulder.  I strap the winch to a tree and winch logs up to it.  The damn thing is pretty friggin heavy with the steel cable on it and carting it through the woods is always a challenge.  So I was considering replacing it with rope.  But I have have two primary questions that I thought you guys would know the answers to.  1. Will I wear through the rope quickly since there are so many rocks in the woods and unforeseen hazards when dragging a 20 foot log?  And, if Rope is a solution for my application - I see prices of 3/8", 100 footers from $100 to over $300 - are the $300 versions worth it (and if they are I will probably just keep the steel cable .....)

 

[A new level]

Personally for that application I’d stay away from synthetic. It can’t take the beating that wire rope can.

 

[Scotty Dive]

Makes sense...However I was hoping synthetic rope would be a viable solution!

 

[sedge1080]

Wire isn't that heavy.  You will loose only a few lbs.  The weight isn't in the wire.  For the price of Synthetic, try looking into a 2-3K winch.

If you want to switch, Tractor Supply has  80ft of Synthetic and fairleads cheap. 

 

[PaulW]

Mount the winch to a vehicle.

 

[bigdaddymack51]

How bout using a smaller diameter wire cable ? Thats less weight, Maybe shorter if you dont need a 100 feet. Most winches want a wrap on the drum and whats out for reach.  Tractor supply has a two wheel dolly with a long handle to move boats or other trailers around. Modify that to pull the winch in the woods.  FjR68 

 

[Scotty Dive]

All great ideas...thanks!!!!

 

[CitizenwithJeep]

Demand the very best ...

https://www.bubbarope.com/winch-lines/100-ft-pro-line-winch-line