How to Cut a Winch Cable
Cable used for a winch apparatus is usually composed of a high tinsel strength steel. Winch cables vary in width, application of torque and weight dispersion, as well as load towing capacity. You will normally cut a winch cable when the winch is damaged or stuck. This can happen when the winch cable has been over-stressed by the load capacity, or years of weathering and rust, or simple wear and tear from frequent use. The procedure to cut the cable will depend on the diameter of the cable.
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Instructions
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Measure the cable diameter with a tape measure. This will help you choose the appropriate-size cutting tools to easily cut the cable. Larger winch cables may need a large pair of bolt cutters to slice through the steel, smaller cables may require only a small pair of wire cutters.
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2
Put on gloves and safety glasses. Shards of steel may spring off the cable when you cut it, and could easily end up stuck in your hands or eyes.
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Locate the spot where you want to cut the cable, and mark it with chalk or a marker. Place the cutters on the cable, and ensure that the cable is seated in the point of the "V" shape of the open cutters.
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Clamp the cutters shut using swift maximum force. This will ensure that the cable is cut cleanly in two. If you cannot cut the cable on your first attempt, replace the cutters onto the initial cut and repeat until the cable is cut.
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Tips & Warnings
Consult your winch operation manual for proper maintenance and operation to avoid having to cut the cable.
Do not cut cables that are under high stress. The whiplash from high tension cables can cleave a person or exposed appendages in two.
