Capstan winches for recovery

[carpetman2]

Do any of you use a capstan winch like Simpson? Do you use dbl braided polyester rope or mule tape or a combo? How long is your longest pull?

 

[dukeester1956]

• Never used capstan winch but have used warn and still use warn use steel cable and chains also carry old axle and sledge hammer in case nothing else to hook up to and snatch block

 

[SidecarFlip]

I have a 10 ton Ramsey hydraulic winch on my gooseneck and a 30 ton on the dropdeck.

 

[wyomingblizzard]

I have and use a capstan winch. I have 600' of low strech braided rope that I use with it. Rope and winch togather wiegh about 70lbs. I regularly use all 600' of rope, then move the winch and start all over. It is amazing how much it will pull. I have pulled a bull elk up a cliff face and a truck out of the snow! I carry rope and winch on a pack frame, if I need to take it in to recover an animal.

 

[carpetman2]

Does the 600 ft of rope seem to be enough? I have been thinking of using mule tape to extend any needed distance from the end of the rope. Have you ever heard of anyone doing that?

 

[wyomingblizzard]

Does the 600 ft of rope seem to be enough? I have been thinking of using mule tape to extend any needed distance from the end of the rope. Have you ever heard of anyone doing that?

600 feet is plenty, to tangle up pretty bad! I just move the winch and start over if I have further to go. I have tied the winch to an elk and kept restring the rope instead of packing the winch up a hill sevral times. I found thar plastic /polly rope doesnt work, to much slip. A low strech nylon works the best. The rope that I use I baught with the winch and it has held up for 7years so far. I dont think I would want any longer rope. The farthest I have ever draged an animal is about 900 yards up and out of a deep canyon, that one time made the cost worth it.

 

[Shawn Carlock]

Mule tape tangles on the spool to easly you will do nothing but fight it. I started with a 600' low stretch rope also and found that in treed country it was a pain. I now have a 300', 200' & 100 foot rope. Longest pull has been almost 1000 yards up what had to be 45 degree + hill in "Send It" volume 2. Took about 3 1/2 hours but well worht the effort. I have since made a sled to use in conjunction with the winch. This allows for something to pull over the brush instead of through it. It now almost pulls itself.

 

[carpetman2]

Thanks Shawn. That's a good point about the tangles and the sled. I was actually considering what to do about either a sled or a cone. What did you make your sled out of and how big?

 

[DND]

Not a perfect match to your question, but we (Fire Dept) use a receiver mounted capstan on our Heavy Rescue truck to aid in low slope rescues/recoveries. Same as above, low stretch poly braid rope is preferred. Anything beyond 300' of rope makes a mess at your feet. For game I'd suggest multiple pulls of lesser length if you can relocate with ease.

Great piece of kit, would make a great game recovery system.

 

[Shawn Carlock]

I'll post a picture of the sled soon, for you.

 

[wyomingblizzard]

I also use a sled with my winch. I use the Sharpel Jet Sled, got it from cabelaes.

 

[Hunting Buddy]

I use amsteel blue 3/16 rope on my capstan winch. 400-600 yards is easy to handle. 600 yards only weighs about 18 pounds and easy fits into a small day pack (book bag). The rope barely stretches so you don't end up with stored energy int he rope which is very dangerous on a capstan winch. My capstan winch is 12V electric and has a built in trailer hitch mount. It also has a built in light which is super handy because it seems like a lot of pulls happen after it gets dark. I used to have to have someone hold a flashlight on the winch for me. I like the speedwinch much better than the gas one you see advertised everywhere. Best tool I ever bought.