[shilo020]

You have a picture?

(don’t make me send one of mine 😈)

 

[T/O]

Why install the extra rubber stopper with the Prolink? Doesn't it have a built-in rubber stopper?

P.S. On a side note, nice Mac's tire nets. I just got a set myself.

If I remember correctly I left the factory auto stop piece in front of the extra stopper I bought because it would stop before it got tight enough to not bounce around.

 

[RZR_Joe]

Over the years I've tried just about every option available. What I found that works well for me is the Factor 55 Prolink and a 5/8" soft shackle.
Factor 55 PROLINK XTV (ATV and UTV) Winch Shackle Mount - Blue (00110-02) https://a.co/d/iX4iiBs

OP, attaching a soft shackle directly to the winch line eyelet is less than desirable for numerous reasons.

To all: Chill out and don't insult each other 👍

 

[tmEvol]

OP, attaching a soft shackle directly to the winch line eyelet is less than desirable for numerous reasons.

Could you elaborate ? What other reasons would there be other than what Grinder mentioned ?

 

[RZR_Joe]

(Numerous) Poor wording on my part but as I see it there are a couple of issues. The potential for pulling the line in too far and no positive stop (winch line is always loose). IMO the main reason is the diameter of the line eyelet which means you are pulling against a much smaller surface area. With hard shackle (hook or Prolink) there is much more area in contact with the soft shackle. Prolink for example: pin is 7/16" through the line eyelet and 5/8" through the shackle attachment point. This spreads the load out on a greater surface area of the soft shackle. Much less chance of breaking the soft shackle with the force spread out. I don't know if I explained that well enough but hopefully you get the idea.

 

[CrazyElecE]

I don't have any "scientific" proof or anything, but I'd go with that the overall strength would be weaker for the same reasons that a knot creates a weak point.

 

[RZRKANE]

You have a picture?

(don’t make me send one of mine 😈)

Were you asking me for a picture of Polaris part number 5417894 ?

 

[shilo020]

Yeah. But I found a diagram with it.

 

[RZRKANE]

Yeah. But I found a diagram with it.

 

[tmEvol]

View attachment 707912 View attachment 707913

Thanks for posting those pics.
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't the "bumper ball" cancel out the auto-stop function? Or does the ball compress enough?

 

[shilo020]

Thanks

 

[tmEvol]

(Numerous) Poor wording on my part but as I see it there are a couple of issues. The potential for pulling the line in too far and no positive stop (winch line is always loose). IMO the main reason is the diameter of the line eyelet which means you are pulling against a much smaller surface area. With hard shackle (hook or Prolink) there is much more area in contact with the soft shackle. Prolink for example: pin is 7/16" through the line eyelet and 5/8" through the shackle attachment point. This spreads the load out on a greater surface area of the soft shackle. Much less chance of breaking the soft shackle with the force spread out. I don't know if I explained that well enough but hopefully you get the idea.

I don't have any "scientific" proof or anything, but I'd go with that the overall strength would be weaker for the same reasons that a knot creates a weak point.

In searching for the winch rope diameter (without hook or shackle) that you both referred to, I found this video (for the Jeep world). I wasn't thinking about this type of setup, but I would say it's kind of related to what I was thinking (just removing the metal-ended aspect). It's an interesting idea if nothing else...

The guy is trying to sell his product, so the video is a bit comical.

Edit:
He now sells a 1/4"x50' version for ATV's & UTV's, but it's $200 !!!

 

[RZRKANE]

Thanks for posting those pics.
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't the "bumper ball" cancel out the auto-stop function? Or does the ball compress enough?

It compresses perfectly and the auto-stop works exactly as it was intended, just not sure why Polaris includes it on models that come from the factory with an auto-stop winch but then they don't include it with the auto-stop winches that are sold as an "accessory".

 

[RamandRZR]

Lots of good additions and solutions to the mild issue at hand. To chime in on the actual question, yeah I guess you could lose the hook and run it with a soft shackle, might work good for ya.. Technically would work as good or the same minus the banging around that disturbs you.. Me, well I will keep the hook in addition to soft shackles and tree savers, honestly use my hook a good bit. You could also pull that hook up tight and will be out of the way and not banging around. I ditched my auto stop for this reason alone, and it worked kinda crappy covered in peanut butter mud and clay. So unplugged it so I could pull the hook on in.

When I get to pulling those Pioneers out the mud,, I keep my winch line out a good bit anyways and kinda wrap it around the bumper, throw it up on the hood all kinds of shit when I’m waist deep in mud helping a bud out.

Key take away here,, lots of ways to skin a cat as moms used to say. We can take different paths to get to the same destination ya know, and riding environments along with styles might also affect how we winch and out winch setups.

In my experience nothing like shoving that hook down in the mud, hooking your pals hitch or tow point and pulling his ass up and out the muck, my RZR spends lots of time pulling folks out, from the front, the back, the side, whatever it takes we getting it out!!

Whatever works and helps you sleep at night!! Keep us posted as to what you try and if you go for the soft shackles only let us know what the experience is like, might be on to something.

 

[Nearly_Missed]

My opinion is don’t overthink it. I grabbed a $3 strap from the tool box. Still works great!

 

[BondoMan]

The nice thing about the thimbles/shackles like my flat link is the rope is completely protected externally. I ride where there is a lot of sticks and brush, and you can see the paint on the cover plate is chipped up. It’s a low risk of abrading the rope to the point of failure, but you won’t know if you did until it lets go mid-pull

 

[RZR_Joe]

In searching for the winch rope diameter (without hook or shackle) that you both referred to, I found this video (for the Jeep world). I wasn't thinking about this type of setup, but I would say it's kind of related to what I was thinking (just removing the metal-ended aspect). It's an interesting idea if nothing else...

The guy is trying to sell his product, so the video is a bit comical.

Edit:
He now sells a 1/4"x50' version for ATV's & UTV's, but it's $200 !!!

I've seen several of those winch lines with built in a soft shackle / tree savers. Definitely a cool idea but totally different setup than the 3/16-1/4" synthetic line on your RZR.

 

[tmEvol]

I also found this:

Hawse Fairlead for SXS Winch | Groove Fairlead by Tow Points | Yankum Ropes

Another pricey option, but also another option that removes the metal components at the end of the rope .

 

[oldscooldude]

We (our riding group) do a lot of river crossings and sometimes on the beach. If you've ever been stuck in sand at a beach river crossing you will know how hard it can be to get to tow point on chassis as buried in sand with waves crashing around your ears. So we leave a permanent 1m lifting strap attached to chassis all the time and just hook winch cable to other end while driving. Simple solution with multiple advantages.