I just picked up an ATP 500 (with 42 hours on it) and want to put a winch on it. I have found from searching posts that I am going to go with a 3000# model. My question is when it comes to the cable what is better, synthetic or steel? I will be using it mostly to pull large limbs and fallen trees out of the way as I am going to be cutting trails.

 

As long as your not wrapping the synthetic cable around the limbs, synthetic all the way! Get yourself a tree saver strap to wrap arond the limbs and you'll be fine.

 

I'm sure you are about to get a wide variey of answers. Kinda like asking who would win if Superman fought Batman. I have a 3000 lb winch with steel cable. I strictly use mine for recovery. I use a tow strap for clearing limbs and trees. A lot of the guys on this board use synthetic for snow plows, which is not an issue for me.

 

My reasoning in synthetic is that they don't store up energy. I come from a jeeping background where a broken cable could kill. I always used a remote switch and carried a sand bag to drape over the cable in case of failure. My ATV winch does not have a remote, so moving to the side is not an option. If you use a steel cable I would say a remote switch is a must. JMHO

 

^ Exactly. No matter what you go with, make sure that you follow all safety directions. I always carry a tow strap. I thread the winch cable through the ends of the tow strap to add a little weight to dissipate some of that stored energy that you were talking about. Never had one snap - hope I never do. I also use a pulley to half the loads on the cable.

 

A synthetic doesn't give the wire sliver that can be very painful.

A synthetic doesn't kink.

A synthetic doesn't store energy. (Very little if any recoil if it does break.)

If synthetic does break, it can be spliced back together with very little loss of length and no knot.

Synthetic will fray if it is rubbed over a rough surface. An old roller fairlead is bad news. A smooth aluminum fairlead is the best. Also, as previously mentioned, don't hook the rope back on itself - get a tree saver (1" webbing about 6 feet long).

 

After using a steel cable and having to let it out to wind it proerly I would go synthetic.

 

My old winch did not hold up with the new plow, and I got caught on a couple on wire splinters and the new winch is synthetic wire, there is I believe a little more maintance, keeping it clean. I does feel lighter.

 

definately get the tree saver with a synthetic and you will be miles ahead of steel

 

It's settled then, sounds like synthetic is the way to go. Thanbks for the replies.