Synthetic Rope Properties and End Connector Concepts

IntroCurrently, wire rope is used universally in timber harvesting for skylines, guylines, winchlines, support
lines, truck wrappers, chokers, and running lines. It has advanced cable logging and it is employed around
the world in millions of miles annually. However, wire rope is heavy, corrodes, and is difficult and timeconsuming
to splice. Additionally, used wire ropes develop jaggers that puncture the hands of
woodsworkers.

One of the major difficulties with synthetic rope is adapting it to current end connections for use with
harvesting systems. Because of the low coefficient of friction, standard wire rope clamps, fist grips, etc.
that would yield 90%+ breaking strength with steel wire rope, only yield 50-60% breaking strength with
synthetic rope.
Synthetic rope has a much lower critical temperature compared to
steel rope and is intolerant of heated connections. Finally, the low coefficient of friction makes pressed
connections difficult. Essentially, the rope’s physical, chemical, and mechanical properties that make it an
excellent substitute for wire rope in timber harvesting also make it difficult to couple with existing cable
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