Yale Ultrex 5/8 in Synthetic Winch Line

Yale Ultrex winch line is a high-strength synthetic rope that replaces steel cable on winches. In 5/8 in, sold by the foot, it gives tree crews a lighter, easier-to-handle line for pulling trees, skidding logs and winching on the job.

Why switch to synthetic

Steel cable is heavy, kinks, and frays into wire splinters that cut hands. A synthetic winch line like Yale Ultrex is much lighter to drag out to the tree, easy to splice, and safer to handle. Many crews switch to synthetic on truck and skid steer winches for exactly these reasons.

Synthetic line also stores less energy when it fails than steel, though any line under tension can still recoil.

It is also easy to splice eyes and repairs in the field, so a damaged section can often be cut out and the line put back into service.

Installation and care

Make sure your winch drum and fairlead are suitable for synthetic line; rough rollers and burrs will chew through it. Keep it away from heat and sharp edges, and use chafe protection where it runs over rough surfaces.

Inspect for cuts, heavy abrasion and melted spots, and keep everyone out of the line of pull. More lines are in our rigging rope section.

Wrap it onto the drum under light tension so it does not bury into itself on heavy pulls.

Replace it when abrasion, heat damage or cuts reduce its strength, and never stand in line with a loaded winch line.