The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Forestry and Logging => Topic started by: Timbercruiser on September 13, 2017, 06:45:58 AM

Title: Mainline ends
Post by: Timbercruiser on September 13, 2017, 06:45:58 AM
Does anyone have a good idea for the end of the mainline cable ?  I don't like tie a knot in it and the swage furrils are ok .  I recently seen a nice  eye type thing made by Eaco yrs ago . It looks like a great idea and doesn't waste any mainline  but I think it's no longer available.  Just wanting some good ideas thanks
Title: Re: Mainline ends
Post by: Bert on September 13, 2017, 05:42:49 PM
I just knot it and take a torch and smooth off any sharps. Im sure theres a better  answer but its all I know.
Title: Re: Mainline ends
Post by: barbender on September 13, 2017, 09:30:04 PM
When I bought my ol skidder the mainline had a couple regular cable clamps on the end. I thought "that will never hold", well, it's still on there. It's just a firewood machine though.
Title: Re: Mainline ends
Post by: sawguy21 on September 13, 2017, 10:18:43 PM
I like to see it braided and swaged but don't know how to do it. My stepson's grandfather was killed by a failed mainline, it is nothing to fool with.
Title: Re: Mainline ends
Post by: Timbercruiser on September 13, 2017, 10:47:51 PM
I don't think they make many options . I never liked using a knot and would like a better option
Title: Re: Mainline ends
Post by: Stoneyacrefarm on September 13, 2017, 11:27:32 PM
Barbender.
Almost the same scenario for me.
My machine had 3 clamps on the end of the cable and didn't have any issues.
If the cable wasn't really short. (42')
I would have kept going with it the way it was.
Replaced the short cable with a 75' cable.
If I ever brake the existing cable I will use the clamps on the end of it without any worries.
Title: Re: Mainline ends
Post by: reedco on September 14, 2017, 12:02:45 AM
            Never owned or ran a skidder  only oilfield winch trucks  used hand tied knots with out problems  swaged   knots are fine  Some one makes a reuseable knot that has brass wedges that was my preference.
Title: Re: Mainline ends
Post by: Stoneyacrefarm on September 14, 2017, 12:13:46 AM
Problem is it is pretty hard to knot a 5/8 or 3/4 swedged. Cable.  >:(

Even on the smaller Farmi cables. I've had good luck with the U-type clamps.
Title: Re: Mainline ends
Post by: Neilo on September 14, 2017, 01:35:11 AM
I use a wedge ferrule. Neat and easy.

http://www.escocorp.com/EN/Products/Pages/ferrules.aspx
Title: Re: Mainline ends
Post by: teakwood on September 14, 2017, 08:03:54 AM
X2. Thats the best solution there is. i can get the ferrule off and on again in 5min if you want to add or remove some sliders
Title: Re: Mainline ends
Post by: John Mc on September 14, 2017, 09:08:55 PM
I use something like this Cable Swivel End (https://www.hud-son.com/products/product-detail/swivel-end-fitter-t3#tabs).  This one only works up to 10mm (a bit over 3/8"). The design has worked very well for me so far. It's a similar concept to the ferrule. It does not slip on the cable end, yet you can pop it apart in minutes

Hud-son used to sell a model for larger diameter cables (which did not have the swivel on it). I can't seem to find it on their web site anymore.
Title: Re: Mainline ends
Post by: coxy on September 14, 2017, 09:12:05 PM
Quote from: Stoneyacrefarm on September 14, 2017, 12:13:46 AM
Problem is it is pretty hard to knot a 5/8 or 3/4 swedged. Cable.  >:(

Even on the smaller Farmi cables. I've had good luck with the U-type clamps.
I always put vice grips on the cable so I don't loose the end through the knot and winch in a skid or hook it to a tree to tighten the knot