Originally Posted by Kymco 450i

Yes by all means keep the angle of the cable as flat as you can for pulling up the blade. The real steep angles are tough on steel cable and that is why many including myself have switched to synthetic cable. The recommendation of spooling over the top is also a good idea as I have done that as well. I just use about 30 ft of synthetic cable and leave it on my winch year round, then I carry two steel cables with clips on both ends in my storage box in case I need more winching length in the summer riding months. Sucks to have to reel out 40 ft of cable from the winch when I can just uncoil and add what ever length I need in a winching situation. The synthetic rope is easier on the drum and fairlead then the steel cable. Hope these suggestions help.