[Papermaker]

I’m in the process of going through my tools and gear that were in my RZR band transferring to my new General. With the extra cargo space, it might be time to upgrade some recovery gear. I don’t ride in places I’m likely to get stuck, but wouldn’t head out without emergency gear.

I’m thinking a strap(length?), soft shackles, tree saver, maybe a snatch block.

Anything else specifically for recovery? I’d prefer to avoid Chinese crap and don’t mind paying for products made in USA.

I’ve got some braided ropes from work that I made, some soft shackles from Amazon, a 30’ 2” strap from HF, a snatch block from TSC, a factor 55 SXS shackle mount in the winch cable. I’ve have some stuff from Gear America as well.

 

[Buelligan666]

Since mine just broke, and the loop is off, I may just try this, as I have a boat winch strap on my work bench from a boat trailer winch I replaced. It will be a good test for the rest of the winter. My question is, when I go back to using it as a regular winch, I won't have my loop for the hook, as that will not roll up into the winch. In the summer, do you just leave it with no hook on the end? Or are you just tying it on for the non winching season?

I take the hook off the winch line for plowing. Put it back on when I take the strap out. I'll try and get pictures or a video to better explain it. Fortunately I haven't had to plow this year.

 

[General John]

My preferred recovery gear is a good friend with a winch willing to pull me out….If that doesn’t work then I guess I will just have to hide in the brush and get my wife to flash whoever is heading down the trail and hopefully they will be willing to help a girl out….

 

[Biffdotorg]

I take the hook off the winch line for plowing. Put it back on when I take the strap out. I'll try and get pictures or a video to better explain it. Fortunately I haven't had to plow this year.

I actually read your previous post once again, and it makes sense. You literally pull rope out and the strap runs in tandem with the rope and not extending the rope. So you literally may have the two sticking out your fairleed/roller. So when it comes time to winch, you can just pull the pair out and set the strap aside. I was wondering what would happen to that hook.

I'm definitely going to try this now. Thank you.

 

[Buelligan666]

I actually read your previous post once again, and it makes sense. You literally pull rope out and the strap runs in tandem with the rope and not extending the rope. So you literally may have the two sticking out your fairleed/roller. So when it comes time to winch, you can just pull the pair out and set the strap aside. I was wondering what would happen to that hook.

I'm definitely going to try this now. Thank you.

Yes. Exactly this.

 

[brad99superd]

@Biffdotorg i don't plow with my general, however 3 or 4 years ago I started reeling about 6 ft of boat winch strap winch off ebay into my ATV for plowing and I haven't broke since. It's amazing. It was 12 bucks for the boat winch strap I think on ebay. And you just reel it in a little shorter than the main rope and then take it off in the summer. I real about 6ft in. Before that I was breaking all the time here in WI.

See attached pic!

 

[Biffdotorg]

@Biffdotorg i don't plow with my general, however 3 or 4 years ago I started reeling about 6 ft of boat winch strap winch off ebay into my ATV for plowing and I haven't broke since. It's amazing. It was 12 bucks for the boat winch strap I think on ebay. And you just reel it in a little shorter than the main rope and then take it off in the summer. I real about 6ft in. Before that I was breaking all the time here in WI.

See attached pic!

That is money! Thank you! That is how I was imagining it as you described. I ordered a cheap winch strap off Amazon last night for under $12 shipped. It should show up today. I can get it installed today before our next snow.

Very good tip, this is going to save me on rope. Plowing is hard on equipment all the way around.

 

[Biffdotorg]

I got my dirt ball cheap strap installed today. It’s only 2” wide, but feel it will be plenty strong. I plowed with it and seems to work great. One thing that may have been giving me issues is I notice my lower roller was seized up. That, for sure could have been my issue. So I’m gonna put my hawse fairlead on next when I find it in my parts bins.

Thanks again!