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snatch block quandary?

6K views 22 replies 13 participants last post by  JTPhoto JK 
#1 ·
There's a ton of choices out there, from $15 to $150 for the 12-20000 pound range.

Reading the 'comments' on the various buyer-sites don't give much help.

Who uses what in real world terms, on those rare instances should 1 (or 2) (or 3) be needed?

With a 5000# JK and a 11,500# winch, what's your choice, gentlemen?

Synthetic line still seems in decent shape, now going on 3 years old, minimal use but very handy.
 
#3 ·
The only special requirement of synthetic is a U groove, not a V groove sheave. Most decent quality sheaves will be U groove. If you have a old block that was used with cable, just dress it up to remove any burrs. I have three blocks and have had situations where a 4th would have been nice.
 
#4 ·
I'm in the same boat...

If I only get 1 snatch block, I can see dishing out for an ARB (~$110). If I want 3-4 snatch blocks, forget it.

Are the Smittybilt and RuggedRidge (and others in that ~$20-$40 range) decent or are they cheap gimmicks?

Maybe I should I get 1 ARB and 2 Rugged Ridge?
 
#5 ·
I'm in the same boat... If I only get 1 snatch block, I can see dishing out for an ARB (~$110). If I want 3-4 snatch blocks, forget it. Are the Smittybilt and RuggedRidge (and others in that ~$20-$40 range) decent or are they cheap gimmicks? Maybe I should I get 1 ARB and 2 Rugged Ridge?
i am going through same research. Couple of weeks ago i saw a cheap snatch block designed for 12,000 lbs to break apart in a simple recovery of a jk 2dr stuck on snow. Thankfully it was a synthetic rope and no one injured. I cant recall brand but at amazon you can see several negative stories with pics included of cheap blocks failing.

I am likely going with ARB or Warn and since i rarely wheel alone, probably two blocks will be the magic number.
 
#6 ·
"Maybe I should I get 1 ARB and 2 Rugged Ridge? "

the exact dilemma for me too.....while the 'be prepared' list gets ever longer, the 'funds on hand' gets always smaller pile....
 
#7 ·
"Maybe I should I get 1 ARB and 2 Rugged Ridge? " the exact dilemma for me too.....while the 'be prepared' list gets ever longer, the 'funds on hand' gets always smaller pile....
i will probably go slow but get all good quality. I mean, one cheap block would be the weakest link.

Not that the expensive are always better but i saw cheap one failing and it was not fun.

I am monitoring deals this week. ARB and Warn are at top of list. Warn never offers discounts but some of the forum vendors might have deals on ARB
 
#8 ·
From my experience with synthetic rope, A smooth U-groove pulley snatchblock will work fine. If you have old snatchblocks with ridges from in the pulleys from use/abuse, I'd suggest not using them.
If you have snatchblocks that are not greasable, pull them apart and use a good EP grease on the shaft & pulley, but keep the rest of it clean.

The tricky part to a cheap snatchblock is how much play between the plates and the pulley they have, and how much friction between the pulley, plates and shaft (causes heat). Heat is just a bad thing for synthetic rope.

When synthetic line is not under tension, it is very malleable. It can easily get caught between the pulley and the plate. It will either wedge itself, or start tearing strands of rope.

In most normal winching the line goes loose, taught, loose, taught, etc., as the vehicle pops over rocks, roots, what-have-you, under power. That's when the rope can get trapped (in my experience). Also when first applying tension, if too much rope is pulled to hook up.
On a couple of pulls, with multiple snatch blocks I had to have help to get the line taught. Quality snatchblocks made for synthetic probably would have not needed the help.
So while I use standard snatchblocks, I am very careful.
Snatchblocks designed for synthetic have less slop/friction and a better design to keep the rope from being trapped.
Hth,
 
#9 ·
I just bought an ARB snatch block from Morris4x4. They have 10% off of everything today.

I bought a Factor55 Prolink from Northridge4x4 today. They have 15% off of Factor55 today.

As far as snatch blocks #2/#3 "for me", I'll solve that soon but not today. I'll likely get cheaper (though well reviewed) and just be careful when I'm dealing with those snatch blocks. For single point though, the ARB should be really good.
 
#11 ·
Good info in this thread! I currently and always have used a Warn and never had any problems. To be clear, though, I've also never had synthetic rope, so I learned a couple things here.

Bottom line, winches and recovery equipment used with them are one thing I don't skimp on based on safety.
 
#16 ·
Just get decent gear. The ARB looks pretty bomber, but that's crazy bread, even for one. The Warns really are your best bet at a decent price tag. The tolerance are very tight, not like the smittybilts. Highly unlikely to pinch a line with the Warns. I've used mine on several difficult pulls, they are always the last thing I worry about failing.
 
#20 ·
Baby Huey: good to see you here, thanks for the tips.

Got a place out in Philomath area I'm going to check face to face for similar rigging.
 
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