I was contacted by Polaris' PGA department about my problem of fraying winch cables when using my Glacier plow. She told me that using the synthetic winch rope should solve the problem, but she said since it is so expensive she recommends I get the larger bottom fairlead roller that is available from Warn (haven't looked into it yet, so I have no part number or price). She said that should prolong the life of the steel cable.
Gives us something to try anyway.

 

I put on about 6 feet of cable and save the 50footer for when the plowing is done. Here is a link to a place you can buy synthetic cable.

50 ft of 3/16 for $39 Rockstomper

 

Hey xcrider. Thanks for the web site. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
Have a great day
BryceGTX

 

xcrider,

How is the winch cable secured to the drum? I'm at work & thinking about grabbing some extra cable for plow use. Haven't pulled all the cable out of my winch yet to see what goes on in there.

Thanks,
woodduck

 

It can be a simple loop through the drum or some have an eyelet that is crimped or soldered onto the cable and then a screw secures it onto the drum. It is really only holding it so it doesn't come off when it is completely unspooled. It needs a few winds of cable on it to lock it onto the spool for winching. Thats why with about 6' of cable is needed for plowing even though only a couple of feet are ever unspooled while plowing.

 

I was just contacted by Warn about the bigger fairlead roller Polaris' PGA department told me about. It isn't on their web site yet as it was just released 2 weeks ago. The part number is 69373. I haven't seen it yet though. They also told me to use synthetic winch rope. Warn and a few other companies now sell a 8 foot plowing rope (which shows everyone knows there is a problem) but for the price of it I would rather just buy the 50 footer, put it on and hope it lasts.

 

I broke the cable twice this past sat while plowing
800EFI,glacier plow,doubletube front bumper.
I think if I moved the 3 eye hook bracket(the part the winch hook goes on,on the plow) forward 1/2"
it will stop rubbing the bumper

 

man that is a great idea to switch to the synthetic rope. so what did you use for the 6' cable on yours, the synthetic or the steel braided? I didn't see on there where they sold only a 6' syn. rope, did you cut it down or what.

 

I think warn sells an 8 foot section of synthetic rope for plowing. I have been looking at synthetic rope for about a year now, but haven't found anyone to report on its durability after being used for more than a single test. Supposedly it must be kept clean to avoid abrasion, so a winch cover would also be needed, I think.

Here is the warn synthetic plowing rope.

My superwinch came with the fairlead you guys are talking about, and I believe they are the same size (mounting holes/width). So maybe you'd have an easier time just ordering one from them. But I must say that my steel cable broke after a few weeks of plowing, even with the larger-rollered fairlead.

Edit: oops, i see that Primus already mentioned that plow rope

Edit again: Here is warn's new roller fairlead.

 

I still like the idea of using a boat winch strap......I've never even worn out the one on my boat winch in the 15 years I've been using it extensively....and thats a lot of load compared to the weight of these small plows