No metal winch rope questions

[WYOutside]

I’m buying into the “no metal” movement and have a few questions. I’ve looked around and there are a ton of products that are made for this way of thinking. I like the K.I.S.S way of thinking when it comes to products and many I’m seeing are not that. At first glance the syn ropes that have soft shackles built in look nice and clean but if the rope breaks, it’s sorta worthless at that point. You’d probably tie in a loop and salvage what length you have left, so maybe just have a loop on the end and be done with it. This option is available with all the usual quality rope makers. It’s just too expensive for me to justify at this time. Not to mention I have a brand new Chinema synthetic line I’d like to use on a brand new Chinese winch I just installed. I’d like to toss the hook, cut the thimble out, tie a proper brummel and make what I have work till I feel compelled to upgrade.

My question, other than Yankum with the fancy $$ fairlead, the dangle method over to a shackle, and a few other products that mount behind the fairlead… how can I attach the loop and have it snug to the fairlead and out of the sun? How would you do it?

Seems factor55 has a loop protector but I’m not 100% sure this is the product for me. Kinda looks like they intend on a generic thimble to be used or their spools. Could be wrong however. Do you see any harm in just having a loop (no metal) attached to this product? Doesn’t seem like it could possibly damage the rope, not being under a heavy load. Is there another product or method that has eluded me? Just leave the hook on and let metal fly, be a man!?


Attached a few images of what I am referencing below.

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[MarkN]

I like synthetic rope for the safety factor and the ability to splice it together if it breaks in the field. I carry a 100 ft extension that I put loops in the end. I used tubular webbing on the loop to protect it from wear. There are several videos on u tube that show you how to splice. Get some spare rope and practice. You can make your loops however you want.

Mark

 

[Beemer533]

I’m buying into the “no metal” movement and have a few questions. I’ve looked around and there are a ton of products that are made for this way of thinking. I like the K.I.S.S way of thinking when it comes to products and many I’m seeing are not that. At first glance the syn ropes that have soft shackles built in look nice and clean but if the rope breaks, it’s sorta worthless at that point. You’d probably tie in a loop and salvage what length you have left, so maybe just have a loop on the end and be done with it. This option is available with all the usual quality rope makers. It’s just too expensive for me to justify at this time. Not to mention I have a brand new Chinema synthetic line I’d like to use on a brand new Chinese winch I just installed. I’d like to toss the hook, cut the thimble out, tie a proper brummel and make what I have work till I feel compelled to upgrade.

My question, other than Yankum with the fancy $$ fairlead, the dangle method over to a shackle, and a few other products that mount behind the fairlead… how can I attach the loop and have it snug to the fairlead and out of the sun? How would you do it?

Seems factor55 has a loop protector but I’m not 100% sure this is the product for me. Kinda looks like they intend on a generic thimble to be used or their spools. Could be wrong however. Do you see any harm in just having a loop (no metal) attached to this product? Doesn’t seem like it could possibly damage the rope, not being under a heavy load. Is there another product or method that has eluded me? Just leave the hook on and let metal fly, be a man!?


Attached a few images of what I am referencing below.

That factor 55 end is probably OK to use with no thimble, assuming everything is nice and smooth. You are only putting enough tension on it to keep things from moving.

I do love my yankum fairlead, but I agree it's not the cheapest thing.

Maximus has something similar, although it wouldn't be nearly as strong or protect the line from impacts like the yankum.

But if you keep the line protector sleeve at the end it should keep uv damage to a minimum.

https://maximus-3.com/jl-bumper-accessories-/jl-winch-hook-anchor#/

 

[WYOutside]

That factor 55 end is probably OK to use with no thimble, assuming everything is nice and smooth. You are only putting enough tension on it to keep things from moving.

I do love my yankum fairlead, but I agree it's not the cheapest thing.

Maximus has something similar, although it wouldn't be nearly as strong or protect the line from impacts like the yankum.

But if you keep the line protector sleeve at the end it should keep uv damage to a minimum.

https://maximus-3.com/jl-bumper-accessories-/jl-winch-hook-anchor#/

I really like the Yankum fairlead and perhaps I’ll go that route in the end. I’m allocating funds towards other pressing things at the moment though. Question, have you ever felt it unsafe when attaching your loop to the hook part of their fairlead? Like a finger might get pinched or does the hook grab the loop so well it’s a hands free sorta deal? I’ve not seen one in person obviously.
Thanks for the replies.

 

[WK2JT]

I recently switched out my Factor 55 flat splice mount for the Masterpull puck. This removed all metal from my setup and it’s just $25. The hunk of metal was the one thing I did not like about the F55 link.

A downside to the puck is it’s plastic, so you would want to be careful when winding it in as the winch could crack/break it if you go too tight. I like the idea of the yankum fairlead, but it’s very expensive and exposes the line too much for me.

The puck isn’t a perfect solution, but allows me to keep the rope tight and the puck is easily removed when in use.

https://www.masterpull.com/winch-puck/

 

[HooliganActual]

I really like the Yankum fairlead and perhaps I’ll go that route in the end. I’m allocating funds towards other pressing things at the moment though. Question, have you ever felt it unsafe when attaching your loop to the hook part of their fairlead? Like a finger might get pinched or does the hook grab the loop so well it’s a hands free sorta deal? I’ve not seen one in person obviously.
Thanks for the replies.

I like the Yankum set up as well. You could certainly just buy their fairlead, remove your thimble and re-splice which would be cheaper than buying their winch line also.

If you are worried about pinching fingers when stowing the winch on the fairlead loop, the answer is in the pic you posted of their winch line. There is a short nylon strap, similar to what might have come with your winch’s hook, that is meant to be held when stowing everything. If you modified your Chineema rope, you could just add a similar strap or short length of paracord in order to keep your fingers out of harms way.

Conceptually, you could mimic the Yankum fairlead by buying an inexpensive plastic pulley wheel and installing it on one side of your fairlead with a longer bolt.

Whatever you do though, realize that the purpose of the thimble on your rope, the Yankum fairlead, etc. are trying to keep the rope from being bent below a certain radius where it can actually damage itself.

 

[Beemer533]

I really like the Yankum fairlead and perhaps I’ll go that route in the end. I’m allocating funds towards other pressing things at the moment though. Question, have you ever felt it unsafe when attaching your loop to the hook part of their fairlead? Like a finger might get pinched or does the hook grab the loop so well it’s a hands free sorta deal? I’ve not seen one in person obviously.
Thanks for the replies.

I cut off the end of my Apex line and spliced it to fit the yankum, so it's a relatively snug fit.

I just push the loop over one side and it's tight enough to not fall off so I don't have to hold it on while I tighten it up.

I probably wouldn't want to have someone else with the controller while I'm putting on (kind of like lockout/tagout), but I've not had any issues.

 

[mx5red]

I was going to say maybe an abrasive sleeve and a fabric pull strap, and just store the winch line inside out of the sunlight.
I like that master pull puck, that’s an inexpensive way to do it.

 

[Beemer533]

I like the Yankum set up as well. You could certainly just buy their fairlead, remove your thimble and re-splice which would be cheaper than buying their winch line also.

If you are worried about pinching fingers when stowing the winch on the fairlead loop, the answer is in the pic you posted of their winch line. There is a short nylon strap, similar to what might have come with your winch’s hook, that is meant to be held when stowing everything. If you modified your Chineema rope, you could just add a similar strap or short length of paracord in order to keep your fingers out of harms way.

Conceptually, you could mimic the Yankum fairlead by buying an inexpensive plastic pulley wheel and installing it on one side of your fairlead with a longer bolt.

Whatever you do though, realize that the purpose of the thimble on your rope, the Yankum fairlead, etc. are trying to keep the rope from being bent below a certain radius where it can actually damage itself.

Yeah, I cut off and spliced my Apex winch line, it doesn't take too long to do and I can fix it in the field if the line breaks.

The other functionality of the yankum, which I haven't had a chance to test are impact protection and the ability to undo the line if it jams in the spool.

Basically you wrap the line on both sides of the yankum like a boat cleat and run the winch in reverse and the jam comes out.. There's a video somewhere on YouTube about it.

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