What's the sleeve on a winch cable?

[creet]

I see on winch cables there is like a metre long sleeve on the cable after the hook.

What's it for?

Stop your hands getting cut on a moving rope?

[Rocker]

You didn't leave the wrapping on did you?

[Blackened]

It will be an abrasion guard.

Have a closer look next time you have the opportunity, you'll see the sleeve isn't fixed to hook end. It will slide the length of the rope.

The purpose is if you're forced to run the cable over a mound of earth, rocks, etc. you don't want to drag your rope across it while 2t of tension is applied because you'll shred it.

When required you'd position the abrasion guard over the surface you're winch rope is connecting with and the rope will be pulled through the sleeve instead of directly across the abrasive surface.

[Norton]

Stop your hands getting cut on a moving rope?

That's what gloves are for

Actually no though. While reeling in a winch after use it's not going to be going fast enough to cut/burn you unless you're deliberately gripping it for dear life for some reason.

And obviously if it's in use with load you shouldn't be any where bloody near it!

Steel cable will bur though, gloves will stop/minimise you getting steel splinters in handling the cable.

[grainweight]

I didn't realise that's what they were, but makes sense.

Stock ones seem pretty thin though? Looked them up after the topic got me curious, I see after market ones that are a cm thick of padding, not just a weave of fabric.

[inervate]

Depends on where your using your winch.

If it's for around a boggy property and you're fishing people out of mud you're never going to need it.

More something for the rock crawling crowd.

[Mard]

I didn't realise that's what they were, but makes sense.

Stock ones seem pretty thin though? Looked them up after the topic got me curious, I see after market ones that are a cm thick of padding, not just a weave of fabric.

Towel or a blanket works just as good without buying an expensive sleeve

[AusTac]

I also use my sleeve to wrap it on the drum to provide a bit of extra cover for the rope, keeps a tiny bit more of the grit out

[knowsnothin]

they probably also function as a whip-check in case of failure.

[Bark]

I also use my sleeve to wrap it on the drum to provide a bit of extra cover for the rope, keeps a tiny bit more of the grit out

A few winches come with the guard wrapped on the drum like that from the shop I've noticed.

[Flash]

If it's the sleeve on a synthetic winch rope, that's to go on the first layer around the drum.
When you're winching, a lot of winches use a brake inside the drum that heats up (particularly if you winch 'out' & and don't free spool).
Synthetic rope, hates heat and will melt if it gets too hot. The sleeve helps to protect it from the heat.

I haven't seen a sleeve on a stainless cable.

[Farmjer]

Hmm, you sure about that Flash?

Maybe for a specific brand or something...

Not saying your wrong, the reason I ask though is I've only ever seen the sleeve a the hook end. Never at the lug end for the drum.