Winch Rope Guard
- Thread starter NashvilleTJ
- Start date
In my head, this guard would have more layers of material as a way to soften a sharp edge. It would be a seamless tube large enough to fit over the thimble/hook during setup and take down rather than a Velcro seam that could open when the rope smears across it during a pull.
The fire hose is double jacketed with the outer jacket (Nylon) specifically designed for abrasion resistance. Now don't get me wrong, a razor blade can cut right though it, but it holds up to abrasion pretty well. The newer hose we now carry has kevlar to increase that resistance.
The larger 5" hose (rubber) will allow a thimble/hook to go through it with no need for a seam.
More layers to soften a sharp rock edge and create a safer surface for the rope to slide across.
I typically carry a canvas tarp or a moving blanket. The handful of times I have needed to anchor the rope over a rock face, I have folded up the tarp or blanket into multiple layers, placed it under the rope, and hoped it did something.
Thanks for the feedback, Blaine.
Thinking about this, would you add another layer of industrial felt to this thing, or replace the inner hose with it? I guess it may depend on the thickness of the felt.
Also, I considered doing the joint exactly as you suggested. My thought was that if the guard rolled and the line got into the joint, the line could force its way between the two halves. Probably overthinking it, but my overlapping joint approach was to account for that possibility.
Am I overthinking that one?
gasiorv
I'm a new world samurai, and a redneck nonetheless
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Got it today Jeff. Thanks! Look forward to hopefully not having to use it in the near future.
I like it. For me and the group I normally wheel with, we are constantly moving from morning into late night. During the times we winch it is typically fast and and we are back at it, there is not much discussion or debating, we rely on each other to be making the right decisions. I have my tree saver with a soft shackle wrapped around it right next to my seat so I can easily grab it and throw it to whoever is going to pull my winch line, or if I am walking back to help the guy behind me, I grab it and carry it back with me. This rock guard is small enough and lays flat enough that it won't take up much room and I can put it right next to the seat where I can grab it in a hurry. With us, if it is not readily available, it most likely won't get used. For the times that a rock guard is needed, this will cover 99% of the circumstances, I am not going to worry about that 1%, that 1% we will figure out an alternative on the fly. Perfect is the enemy of good and this will work good.
I like it. For me and the group I normally wheel with, we are constantly moving from morning into late night. During the times we winch it is typically fast and and we are back at it, there is not much discussion or debating, we rely on each other to be making the right decisions. I have my tree saver with a soft shackle wrapped around it right next to my seat so I can easily grab it and throw it to whoever is going to pull my winch line, or if I am walking back to help the guy behind me, I grab it and carry it back with me. This rock guard is small enough and lays flat enough that it won't take up much room and I can put it right next to the seat where I can grab it in a hurry. With us, if it is not readily available, it most likely won't get used. For the times that a rock guard is needed, this will cover 99% of the circumstances, I am not going to worry about that 1%, that 1% we will figure out an alternative on the fly. Perfect is the enemy of good and this will work good.
The design I helped Jon and Thor with had felt folded to match the bottom and the flaps. The joint was on the side. The felt was about 1/2".
You aren't overthinking it at all. But, my preference would always be something that can be put in place after the recovery is rigged. We have had many instances of not needing a guard when the pull started, then something changed and we had to add it. In JV, my favorite has been a wadded up sweatshirt. I have used that many times without it ever allowing damage to a rope, or needing to be reset.
You are very welcome, my good friend.
I now do this exact thing with my tree saver and soft shackle. I learned that trick from my wheelin' guru - and of course that would be you.
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One thing I forgot to mention is to use the shitty hook and loop, not the good stuff. If you use the good stuff, it takes another pair of hands practically to keep it open so it doesn't reattach when you get to the other end.