[TowerTalk] Question about winch cable size on UST TRX-100HD tilt winch for HDX-5106 (long)

[Richard (Rick) Karlquist]

On 3/22/2013 5:29 PM, Grant Saviers wrote:
> McMaster has lifting rated hand winches to 10k lbs and 3/4" wire rope,
> pricey though. http://www.mcmaster.com/#hand-winches/=lztkj3
>

Thanks for your excellent comments.

As you say, the McMaster hand winches are pricey.  The motorized boat 
lifts are more cost effective not even taking into account the
convenience factor.

I see what you are saying about the cable size.  Comparing to the
McMaster winches, the UST 5/16 cable is not overkill but underdesign
consistent with the winch itself being overloaded.  I think I
will have to get Lunmar to make me a custom drive drum.  The 5/16
inch cable, although not having a 5X safety factor, does have a
lot of experience here without failure, so I don't mind continuing
with it, especially since I am limited by the pulleys I have.
Going to 1/4 inch would be a reduction factor of about 2/3.

BTW, my old K2550 never worked well from the get go.  It wasn't
a question of weathering.  One of things I like about the Lunmar
equipment is that the motor and gears are enclosed in a weather
proof enclosure and the drive drum uses sealed bearings that
are OK out in the weather.  These things are designed to live
on a dock at the ocean and go through hurricanes.

Rick N6RK