Wire rope OR chain?

[BigRig]

Do you prefer wire rope or chain comealongs? Why?

[BurnCMSFD]

Big, wire rope is that one word??:) We call it cable or wire, rope is hemp or nylon, kelvar etc. Anyway thought I would give ya a little flak about terminology, we all use different terms meaning the same thing. I use the chain come-alongs at work and they are very simple to use and can pull quite a load, cons they are heavier then the cable, and if in a OSHA state have to be load tested annually . I feel a little more secure using a chain come-along than the cable however...we only have a cable on our rescue truck. Pro's are its light and the one that we carry has a pulley on it so we can set up a 2-1 mechanical advantage on it. The cons are that most people do not train on it enough and every time it is used it is like a learning curve, they are a little more complex to release the locks and go reverse/out, and the other would be the frays of cable that can be produced over time of use, can cause punctures through any glove. Utimately I wish we had both on the rig, they both have a purpose. The pnematic sawzall what do you think of that one??
Burn

[BigRig]

I've used a pneumatic saw and haven't been impressed so far. What do you use?

[Rescue101]

I prefer the wire rope variety with the long breakaway handle and thirty plus feet of rope.This allows a double line pull of at least 15'.T.C.

[lutan1]

I prefer FSWR over chains.

101, doesn't wire rope "generally" have a higher SWL over chains?

[Rescue101]

Depends on the grade of chain.Since most mfgs of chain comealongs know you'll ONLY use them on a horizontal plane,they are generally fitted with alloy chain which makes them class for class the same as their wire rope counterparts(cable is for phone/cable tv).Say the "C"word in a Wreckmaster class and it will cost you a dollar.Lot of money has been spent in class on that misconception.T.C.

[BurnCMSFD]

Clarification Please,

Since most mfgs of chain comealongs know you'll ONLY use them on a horizontal plane,they are generally fitted with alloy

Is this your opinion, fact, something you have read,etc.?

Say the "C"word in a Wreckmaster class and it will cost you a dollar.Lot of money has been spent in class on that misconception.T.C.

101 do you mean if you say cable in one of the Wreckmasters class??
And could you explain the misconception, so im not missing something here. Thanks for clearing this up for me.

Thanks
Burn

[Rescue101]

Burn:Yes I can.If you attend a Wreckmaster class and refer to wire rope as "cable"it will cost you a dollar.It will cost you a dollar each time you call wire rope "cable".Most students learn quickly.Cable is something you use in communications(not my definition).Now as far as chain comealongs my statement was hastily written and the quote of"are always used in a horizontal plane"should have been followed by a Hehe.As we all know we use a comealong in any position necessary to do the job.But here's the kicker.ANY chain produced used in OVERHEAD lifting MUST be an alloy chain.As best I can find out the term overhead lifting means ANYTIME a load is lifted off the ground.Hence any chain comealong used for rescue ops should have a "rated" alloy chain.Most do.Modern chain can be identified by a stamped link,usually about every 6" on the chain.Numbers will be a 3 or 30 for proof(dogchain)4 or 43 for high test,7 or 70 for transport,8 or 80 10 or 100 for alloy.Did this help?T.C.