I wouldnt recommend tying the cable in a knot. Knots are weakpoints, the cable will break at the knot much easier than it would if it didnt have the knot.

Troy for an automatic stop you could try this:
1. raise the plow to the highest point that you want to raise it.
2. Take a marker and make a mark where your winch cable goes into your roller fairlead.
3. place a wire cable clamp at your mark (make sure the clamp is too big to fit through your roller fairlead). Then when you pull the plow up this clamp will stop you from lifting too far when it hits the roller fairlead.

 

Thanks, ya if it snaps agian,im going rope for sure.

 

depending on how electrical savvy you are, you could get a pin switch and install it under the quad if you have a center mounted plow, and set the pin so that it shuts the power to the winch pulling in off when it gets to that pin....this is what i plan on doing when i get my plow setup done.

 

That sounds interesting, i'd have to run it by my mechanic though,im not good with electrical,, take some pics once you get it done, thanks.

 

Troy -

Last year was my first year plowing & I had the same problem. Into my 2nd snow storm, winch cable broke. Fixed then a couple later broke again. Was really frustrating. This happened 3-4 times in one year. What I did was purchased the 3/16 airline grade cable at TSC store which actually was not that much more. Only got about 10 ft or so. I purchased it before I did research & learned about the synthetic cable. What happened is my winch came with a dramatically lesser quality cable & a bit thinner. So, prior to this year I took the winch off & replaced it with this better cable.

The 2nd thing I did was not raise my plow all the way up to where the push bars are tight against the frame & creating tension. This seems to be when it snapped the most. When up & trying to push a pile higher. I just raise it up enough that is needed to back up or go over snow that I need to back over. Never raise it all the way up. I found this is when it snaps.

Now, we have had a few nasty 10", 8" etc. snows this year & with the new cable & not lifting all the way up, I have not had one cable break this year. Even more ironic, I have checked the cable periodically after plowing & have not even found any stranding of the cable which usually happens causing weak areas. Can run my fingers along the pressure points & still is smooth. This seems to be doing the trick for me & don't have to hassle with trying to mount the synthetic to my drum or drill any holes for a strap. This will by my next action if I would continue to have issues with the steel (airline grade) cable. So far so good. I am very pleased compared to last year.

 

Thanks for the info Burndog,, yep thats what i did wrong,i raised it up to high putting to much tension on, i just plowed last week (only 6 inches) but no problem, when i back up i raise it only half way,, im new to the whole atv and plowing so i just need to feel it out i think, but if it does snap agian,im going rope also,thanks agian.

 

Cabela's -- ATV Winch Saver

This is what I started using and it stopped all my cable breaking problems.

 

Hey that looks great! i never knew they made that,then agian this whole plowing with an ATV is new to me,thanks im gonna order one up.

 

Yeah plowing with an ATV was new to me till last winter when I moved to up-state NY. So far it has worked out great. We had 5 feet of snow between last Sun. and Mon. and has snowed everyday for 10 days now. The Eiger is getting a big workout but so far is doing great.

 

WOW! thats insane snow! you need a tractor never mind a ATV lol,, you must be next to Ft.Drum i used to do my summer drills over there with the national guards,we used to take the 1000 island ferry tour on a sunday,very nice up there,, we get alot of snow too,but heck,not 5 ft in a week, well take good care of the Eiger,ttyl.-