Using snatch blocks for getting un-stuck

[magothy1]

Hello guys,

Just read the very good article in the TDR mag about getting yourself unstuck. Joe Donnelly did well, there's alot of good ideas.

I'm a shrimper in South Carolina, I have a bit of experience in rigging and handling loads. Snatch blocks are great things, but when they break it's not pretty.

I have a good friend in sad shape in North Carolina from a snatch block accident. If you use one, think about where it's going if it breaks. Also, a block with a small sheave that makes the cable take a sharp bend is not a good choice.

There's ALOT of cheap chinese made stuff out there nowadays, some of it looks like it's made from melted down recycled rickshaws and bicycles. Choose carefully.

The head you save may be your own.

Again, I'm not criticizing Mr. Donnelly, and I like it that he emphasizes that there's lethal forces involved.

Be careful.

 

[JimB1]

Acceleration of broken rigging parts can be faster than a speeding bullet... , Jim.

 

[abdiver]

I always place a 12' x 16' folded heavy canvas tarp over my cable on my winch to help slow it down if it snaps and heads towards my truck

 

[Tim]

One of the potential solutions is to use synthetic line. Professional rock crawlers are required, steel cable is banned.

 

[CRuth]

Not just safer, but easier to use. I just replaced mine because I have a tendency to solo and steel is pita by yourself.

 

[jcarey]

Rock crawlers use a line that is strong but with a lot of strech to soften the impact in the event of a fall. Think bungy cord. A better choice would be what arborists refer to as a bull line used to to fell/drag large heavy wood; 1/2" - 3/4" line with a high tensile strength of up to 20,000 lbs.



As a matter of fact, I would suggest going to Sherrill Arborist Supplies:



http://www.wtsherrill.com/



Once there, look at rigging supplies. The equipment sold here is ANSI approved. Their catalog has a ton of useful info too.



Also, using rope implies using knots. Differnet knots are used for different purposes. Using the wrong one could be dangerous.



As trawler said, use a block with a large sheave. A line can lose 50% of its strength at the bend.



Whatever, avoid the line you would buy at Home Depot, etc. Get rope that is designed for the purpose in mind.



the link below is a link to Samson Rope Co, one of the most trusted names in Arborist, rock climbing, and caving. Look for Tenex splice braid, low stretch, high tensile strength.



http://www.samsonrope.com/home/newindex.cfm



Hope this helps

Jim

 

[rbattelle]

I always do my best to buy equipment rated for significantly higher loads than I need. I don't own a snatch block (yet), but when I buy one I'll get one that's much beefier than necessary... something with greater than 8 tons working load (not ultimate load).



-Ryan

 

[jcarey]

Your right. Working load, or safe working load, is important as long as the line remains tight.



However, if the line slips, for whatever reason, and regrabs that's where max load (tensile strength) is important.



General rule of thumb is safe work load = 10% of max load.



Jim

 

[Jeremiah]

Snatch blocks

Hello guys,

Just read the very good article in the TDR mag about getting yourself unstuck. Joe Donnelly did well, there's alot of good ideas.

I'm a shrimper in South Carolina, I have a bit of experience in rigging and handling loads. Snatch blocks are great things, but when they break it's not pretty.

I have a good friend in sad shape in North Carolina from a snatch block accident. If you use one, think about where it's going if it breaks. Also, a block with a small sheave that makes the cable take a sharp bend is not a good choice.

There's ALOT of cheap chinese made stuff out there nowadays, some of it looks like it's made from melted down recycled rickshaws and bicycles. Choose carefully.

The head you save may be your own.

Again, I'm not criticizing Mr. Donnelly, and I like it that he emphasizes that there's lethal forces involved.

Be careful.

I used to roughneck in the oil fields between years in college. One of the first things the driller taught me was never to stand between a snatch block and whatever is bring towed/pulled/whatever. Good way to be among the recently departed.

 

[ROCKJEEP]

We use a thing called a winch weight. Its a bag that goes over the line and velcrows around the line. Its filled with sand and the material is heavyduty. When my steel cable snapped the bag brought the line straight down to the ground. Still use the bag, but now run syntethic line instead.

Kory

 

[rbattelle]

Here's a nice 10-ton rated block.



I suspect it's a bit heavy, though... maybe over 50 lb!



-Ryan

 

[willysrule]

always always always use something on the line... even if you just throw your jacket or floor matt over the line it will be safer in the event that the line does break... and always stand clear...



we even use a winch line weight on tow straps if were tugging VERY hard...



it's just a very easy precaution to take, I know we like to play it safe in the woods when were out in the 4x4’s, most of the time if someone did get hurt it would take hours to get back to any kind of main road to get them help... better safe than sorry...