A winch fairlead helps the winch cable move out of the spool without friction. There are two types: plain and roller fairlead. Roller fairlead is preferred for serious winching as it eliminates all friction and power loss, adding pulling force to the winch.
A winch fairlead is a type of fairlead intended to assist the winch cable out of the winch spool. There are two basic types or styles of winch fairlead: the plain fairlead, which is commonly a smooth metal plate such as aluminum or brass, and a roller fairlead. This type of winch fairlead uses a coiled device to allow the winch cable to move through the fairlead without friction. The grommet can be mounted to the winch mounting plate on shop-style winches and to the bumper or winch bracket on a vehicle-mounted winch.
The typical winch has a maximum pull force, however the average winch generally cannot pull this amount of weight. The reason for this is that the winch cable consumes pulling energy by rubbing against the winch mounting bracket, vehicle bumper, or chassis. The solution to this problem is often the installation of a winch fairlead. This device allows the winch cable to slide more easily by providing a smooth surface for the cable to ride on. Further preventing friction is the roller winch’s grommet, which uses a roller bearing system to provide the least possible resistance to the cable as it passes over the grommet.
Rollerless cable glands are designed to wear while providing a smooth surface for the cable to glide on. This type of guide is usually made of a soft metal, such as brass or aluminum, which also acts as a type of lubricant as the winch cable digs into the softer metal, filling any cracks in the cable with the metal. worn out. As the cable gland wears out, it must be replaced with a new cable gland cover plate. Another variation on this type of fairlead uses a hardened steel plate that is machined into a smooth radius to allow the winch cable to glide easily over the surface.
This style of hardened steel winch fairlead provides a durable surface for the cable to ride on, however it is not the best style for reducing friction. The roller winch fairlead is commonly the choice for serious winching applications. By providing a running surface for the winch cable to pass through, the cable gland virtually eliminates all friction and power loss from the winch. The roller winch cable gland also provides longevity to the winch cable. Allowing the cable to pass over the roller winch’s grommet adds pulling force to the winch by eliminating parasitic loss comparable to a winch not equipped with grommets.
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