Portable Winch Rope

[miken]

   What type of rope are you using on your portable gas powered winches? Any recommendations appreciated. Thanks

[Luna butte]

I had a paid hunter a few years ago bring a spool of mule tape with him to winch a buck out of a fairly deep canyon.  I think it had a tensile strength of 5K#. He must have known a lineman or something

[EnglishSetter]

I had a paid hunter a few years ago bring a spool of mule tape with him to winch a buck out of a fairly deep canyon.  I think it had a tensile strength of 5K#. He must have known a lineman or something

IIRC 3/4" is 2500# and 1" is 6000#.   Note these aren't "working loads".

Amazingly strong, light and economical.  I have a few rems I've picked up on the job.  A few applications on my boat (sea anchor and tag lines for my drag chutes).

[HntnFsh]

I don't think mule tape works very well for a capstan winch though.

[Luna butte]

I don't think mule tape works very well for a capstan winch though.

If it was cheap enough, I’d bet a fella could make it work fine.  A couple of rubber bands on the pulley would probably provide plenty of bite

[Magnum_Willys]

3/8 dbl braided poly.
https://www.portablewinch.com/products/double-braided-polyester-ropes-o-10-mm?variant=37693158391998

We used 100 yards repeatedly for two days and it held up but we chucked it as it was well used.  (Pulling elk  several miles).   5000# strength.  We also used it around a pulley to pull elk with a truck out of a canyon.  Under that use I would bump up to 1/2”.   3/8 was plenty for capstan and 100 yRds just got us to an anchor everytime. 

[HntnFsh]

Thats what I have for mine.

[ghosthunter]

3/8 dbl braided poly.
https://www.portablewinch.com/products/double-braided-polyester-ropes-o-10-mm?variant=37693158391998

We used 100 yards repeatedly for two days and it held up but we chucked it as it was well used.  (Pulling elk  several miles).   5000# strength.  We also used it around a pulley to pull elk with a truck out of a canyon.  Under that use I would bump up to 1/2”.   3/8 was plenty for capstan and 100 yRds just got us to an anchor everytime.

Yep that’s what I use.

Bought some extra from Woods Logging supply in Sedro Woolley.

Pulled a Moose out 1400 ft for my buddy in Idaho.

[EnglishSetter]

I don't think mule tape works very well for a capstan winch though.

If it was cheap enough, I’d bet a fella could make it work fine.  A couple of rubber bands on the pulley would probably provide plenty of bite

I was wondering about that.  If nothing else, the mule tape could be an extender and only pull the length of the braided.

I'm envisioning a series of connection points in the mule tape within the distance of braided you have.  i.e. if you had 200' of braided and 1000' of mule tape, installation  connection points every 175'.  Or....move the winch point periodically without having to haul the winch to the animal.

[ghosthunter]

I don't think mule tape works very well for a capstan winch though.

If it was cheap enough, I’d bet a fella could make it work fine.  A couple of rubber bands on the pulley would probably provide plenty of bite

I was wondering about that.  If nothing else, the mule tape could be an extender and only pull the length of the braided.

I'm envisioning a series of connection points in the mule tape within the distance of braided you have.  i.e. if you had 200' of braided and 1000' of mule tape, installation  connection points every 175'.  Or....move the winch point periodically without having to haul the winch to the animal.

Those that have mule tape can attest that it store energy. If the animal gets hung up and then come loose it’s like sling shot, so use caution. The winch rope doesn’t do that and just bogs the winch down till you free it.
Also a capstan works on friction so there needs to be enough surface to the line. It might work don’t really know.

[High Climber]

I don't think mule tape works very well for a capstan winch though.

If it was cheap enough, I’d bet a fella could make it work fine.  A couple of rubber bands on the pulley would probably provide plenty of bite

I was wondering about that.  If nothing else, the mule tape could be an extender and only pull the length of the braided.

I'm envisioning a series of connection points in the mule tape within the distance of braided you have.  i.e. if you had 200' of braided and 1000' of mule tape, installation  connection points every 175'.  Or....move the winch point periodically without having to haul the winch to the animal.

That would work. Learn how to tie the Alpine butterfly knot it would be a good one for that

[Skyvalhunter]

The OP never stated distances he could possibly be pulling nor what he would be pulling.

[Encore 280]

What do the power companies use for a winch when pulling wire with mule tape? If friction is needed for pulling then just add a full more turns I would think.

[HntnFsh]

What do the power companies use for a winch when pulling wire with mule tape? If friction is needed for pulling then just add a full more turns I would think.

From what I've seen if it's pulled with a winch they use rope. If mule tape it's tied to something to pull it with.