Was thinking of changing my winch wire over to synthetic rope. Any good or bad thoughts on this change over. Looking for some advantages an disadvantages. I have a old WARN 2.5ci.

 

I made the change some time ago and don't regret it. The only disadvantage is the rope can be easily cut so keep it away from sharp objects. The advantages are that it is lighter, stronger, does not store energy and doesn't break from plowing snow (repeated raising/lowering). I was able to stuff 75' on my warn 2500. Just make sure you change out your fairlead as there will be burrs on it that will damage your rope.

 

Warn sells a conversion kit, which it says should only be used on winches with an aluminum drum. It comes with a new roller fairlhead, since the surface of the rollers needs to be totally smooth.

Advantages are synthetic is lighter weight, it won't kink as bad, it won't rat nest as bad, no rust, it won't develop hand slicing sharp frayed strands, and it will tolerate being bent sharply in the same spot repeatedly (as when lifting and lowering a plow). I also suspect it might be a bit less dangerous if you happen to snap it, that it might come whipping back with less force due to lighter weight.

About the only disadvantage I can think of is you have to be careful if you need to winch with the cable bent over rocks or something else with edges. Warns come with a nylon sleeve on the line. It just reels in with the winch line, and if you need it, you just slide it over to the part of the line that will be against the rocks or whatever.

I'd also suggest getting a keel roller for a boat trailer for a couple bucks. Cut the cone shaped end off and run the cable through it, to use as a winch saver kind of thing (only much cheaper). That way you can run the cable tight so it won't tangle, but won't smash the hook hard into the rollers.

Bottom line for me, I really like synthetic line. The xt30 on the Rincon came with it. When it comes time to replace the line on the 2.5 on the Foreman I will switch it over.

 

I went from a Warn 2.5ci with cable to a Warn XT2.5 with sythetict and as the others have sait it works great I will never go back to a cable winch again!

 

I like rope over cable but when plowing snow and constant plow lifting and lowering it can break at the friction point ( which is smooth ). However it is so easy to fix, I just cut the damaged piece off with a knife and retie the knot to the plow hookup. Easy, can't do that fast with steel cable.

 

I went back to cable. We have had so much snow here this year that my quad is used daily for pushing snow this year. Constantly fixing broken rope is no fun in 0 degree temps. No issues with the cable since changing back

----- Gimpster -----

 

I immediately went to a spider line. It's spendy but tough! After 2 winters (we get upwards of 300+ inches annually) it shows NO wear. Well, some but not a problem. I opted for the #5000 lb rated line cuz 2500 (I think it was 1/8th inch) caused me to think maybe it would tangle-like a fishing reel; plus a thinner wearing surface at the winch roller from the constant in and out. Ooonnnlyyy problem I had was I went and ran too much on and it got pretty well jammed, up against a cross bar under the frame that I couldn't see and I had to remove the whole winch to undo it. I only got about 45 feet on. Think I used 5/16th, maybe. Otherwise...I've had no issue's and have a sense of doing something right when I watch neighbors fumbling with their cables. I didn't come-up with idea, my nephew told me about it.

 

I just got a 50' of venom synthetic rope w/ fairlead of ebay for $45 shipped..

just hope my 'yamaha' warn winch has an aluminum roller

 

The main disadvangtage it's kindda abrasion sensitive. Keep away from sharp edges.
Cheers.