As I said, it starts with using nylon fiber. We take it into this machine, and we put a very specific amount of twist into the yarn that goes into each one of these kinetic ropes.
Once we have that yarn, we can start the process of making Matt's recovery rope. We take the yarn, we put it on the braider bobbins, and those braider bobbins then go into our braiding machines.
These braiding machines are calibrated to a very specific amount of twist and revolution to then be able to make a rope inside of a rope. This is the first rope; this is our core braiding machine.
The core braiding machine takes 24 strands and weaves them together to make a very strong standalone rope. This is only half of the rope. This rope is going to be fed into our jacket braiding machine.
With the jacket braiding machine, what it's doing is braiding a rope on top of the core. In our ropes, in the Yankum kinetic rope, half of the load is carried in the core, and half the load is carried in the jacket. That's what makes our kinetic ropes so strong.
After we get the rope, we have to turn it into slings.
We take the long sections and cut them into shorter lengths, both 20 footers and 30 footers, and then we tie the eyes into each end. We also make our own soft shackles. The soft shackles are the best application for using a kinetic rope when attaching it to other vehicles that are stuck.
Each one of these packages is very carefully inspected through several stages of quality control. The first one is, as we said when we were making the slings, the second one is when we start to dip the rope. The dipping process starts with the eyes. What we do is put a two-part epoxy over each one of the eyes.
What that does is make it a lot more durable and can handle any of the different applications that you might find yourself in. Then we dip every rope in a containment coating.
What this does is glue all of those fine little fibers together so they won't fray when you're out in the wild.
The final step is the last part of our quality control. After everything's dry, we go through and inspect every rope, and then we tag it and send it out to the customer.
Every one of our recovery ropes is handmade. It’s our mission to deliver our customers American-made kinetic ropes of the highest quality and strength possible, so every part of the process is very carefully inspected, giving you confidence and peace of mind when you need it most.
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When it comes to off-roading, towing, or recovering vehicles from tight spots, a winch is an indispensable tool. However, the efficiency and safety of a winch are greatly enhanced by the presence of a crucial component: the winch fairlead. In this article, we will delve into what a winch fairlead is, its types, where to mount it, and why it's essential for a successful winching operation.
A winch fairlead is a guiding mechanism designed to facilitate the smooth movement of a winch cable or synthetic rope. Its primary function is to prevent friction and wear on the rope as it's being pulled in or out, ensuring that the rope doesn't get damaged during the operation. Without a fairlead, the rope might get caught on rough edges, corners, or obstacles, leading to premature wear and potential breakage.
Mounting the winch fairlead correctly is essential to ensure its effectiveness and the overall success of your winching operation. The fairlead is typically installed on the front bumper of the vehicle, centered above the winch. The exact mounting location may vary depending on the type of fairlead and the design of the bumper.For hawse fairleads, they should be mounted flush against the surface of the bumper, ensuring that the opening of the fairlead is centered and aligned with the winch drum. Roller fairleads, on the other hand, require a bit more attention during installation. The rollers must be positioned vertically to ensure the cable is guided smoothly without any twisting or tangling.
Selecting the right winch fairlead depends on several factors, including the type of rope you're using and the intended use of your winch. If you're using a synthetic rope, a hawse fairlead is generally the recommended choice due to its rope-friendly design. However, if you're using a steel cable, a roller fairlead might be more suitable.Consider the material of the fairlead as well. Aluminum fairleads offer a great compromise between the benefits of hawse and roller fairleads, making them a versatile option for many users.In conclusion, a winch fairlead plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety, efficiency, and longevity of your winching operations. By minimizing friction, preventing wear and tear, and guiding the winch rope properly, a fairlead contributes to successful vehicle recovery and towing efforts. Whether you choose a hawse, roller, or aluminum fairlead, proper installation and maintenance will significantly enhance the overall performance of your winch setup. So, the next time you gear up for an off-road adventure or find yourself in a sticky situation, remember the importance of this unassuming yet indispensable component – the winch fairlead.
]]>Let's talk about winch lines! We all know a winch can sure come in handy when you or a buddy is stuck in the mud or caught in a pickle. And when it comes to winch lines, you've got options, but how do you know which is best for you?
Sure, the classic steel winch line has been around since the dawn of time. But synthetic winch lines are quickly becoming the cool kid on the block. They're strong, lightweight, and easier to handle than their steel counterpart. So, it's time to give them the recognition they deserve.
In this blog post, we'll give you the lowdown on everything you need to know about synthetic winch lines. How to repair them, maintain them, and when it's time to say goodbye and get a new one. So buckle up, grab your favorite beverage, and let's get to it!
Synthetic winch lines have been around since the early 1990s. However, it wasn't until recently that they became widely adopted. Synthetic winch lines were initially used in the sailing industry because of their excellent strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to UV rays, saltwater, and abrasion. Later, they were introduced to the off-road industry and have become increasingly popular due to their advantages over steel winch lines.
The main advantage of synthetic winch lines over steel winch lines is their strength-to-weight ratio. A 3/8" synthetic winch line has roughly the same strength as a 3/8" steel winch line but weighs significantly less. This weight reduction can make a significant difference in the performance of your winch, as the lighter line puts less strain on your winch motor, allowing it to operate more efficiently. Additionally, synthetic winch lines are easier to handle, safer to use, and won't rust. Synthetic winch lines pair well with our Groove Fairlead.
The lifespan of a synthetic winch line depends on how frequently you use it and how well you maintain it. If you use your winch line regularly, you should inspect it after every use and replace it every two to three years. If you use your winch line less frequently, you should inspect it annually and replace it every five years. Remember, UV rays can degrade synthetic winch lines over time, so avoid leaving them exposed to sunlight for extended periods.
Maintaining your synthetic winch line is relatively straightforward. You should always keep it clean and free of dirt, debris, and mud. If it becomes dirty or muddy, you can clean it with soap and water or a synthetic winch line cleaner. Additionally, you should inspect your winch line after each use for any signs of damage, such as fraying, cuts, or abrasions. If you notice any damage, you should replace the line before using it again.
If your synthetic winch line becomes damaged, you can repair it in most cases. To repair a synthetic winch line, you'll need a fid or splicing tool, a heat gun, and some synthetic winch line rope. First, cut off the damaged section of the winch line, leaving enough room to splice the new rope. Then, splice the new rope onto the old rope, ensuring that the new splice is tight and secure. Finally, use a heat gun to melt the synthetic fibers together, sealing the splice.
Removing the hook from a synthetic winch line is relatively easy. First, locate the locking pin on the hook and remove it. Next, slide the hook off of the winch line. If the hook is stuck, you can use pliers to twist it back and forth gently until it loosens. In some cases a hook must be cut from a winch line, there are three ways to fix this, either cut the hook or cut the winch line or untie the locking brummel loop. We have an excellent video tutorial for re-tying your locking brummel splice. Check it out below!
Choosing the best synthetic winch line depends on your vehicle, specific needs, and budget. There are many high-quality synthetic winch lines available on the market, but here are some reasons to consider picking up a Yankum Ropes synthetic winch line:
In conclusion, synthetic winch lines are an excellent option for off-roaders due to their lightweight, strength, and ease of use. However, like any recovery tool, synthetic winch lines require proper maintenance, inspection, and replacement to ensure optimal performance and safety. If you're in the market for a synthetic winch line, consider picking up a Yankum Ropes Winch Line today!
]]>A few weeks ago, the 1st annual(?) Wrecker Games took place in Sand Hollow Park in Southern Utah. This unique event was put together by Matt from Matt's Off-Road Recovery and was the first of its kind. Matt invited some a few friends of his on YouTube to build their own rigs and compete, those including Paul from Fabrats, Merlin from Merlin's Old School Garage, Eric from BSF Recovery, and Rory with Moab Motorsports (@trailmater) to compete in a series of challenges to see who made the best off-road wrecker.
Around 8000 people showed up for the event and the activities included a dead-pull involving pulling the Banana through soft sand with no assistance and then immediately pulling 20,000lbs of Blue Steel connected to a trailer with the MORRvair on it through the same sand. The competitors also tested their welding skills using welders built into the wreckers and participated in a dyno pull. The competitors then pulled a dead car up an off-road trail to the top.
The event was an absolute blast. A few highlights included Paul, after he damaged a soft shackle during the car flip, he then proceeded to do a pull on blue steel where the shackle broke and sent ropes flying in both directions, damaging the tail light on his wrecker, and the other rope removed Blue Steel's head light, damaged the hood, and removed the passenger mirror.
On the last day, during the trail clean up, Alan with Yankum Ropes got a little heavy on the throttle and sent his Land Cruiser to the moon, well attempted to at least, then gravity took over and he ended up rolling it completely over. Everyone was ok, luckily.
The Wrecker Games was an incredible event that showcased the ingenuity and skill of the of competitors as builders and drivers. It provided a unique opportunity for the youtubers to show off their talents and for the audience to witness an event like no other. It is safe to say that the Wrecker Games was a resounding success and we can't wait to see what Matt and the other participants come up with next year!
]]>Kinetic recovery ropes, also known as a Yankum Ropes or KERR (kinetic energy recovery ropes), are high-strength ropes that is used in a variety of applications, including vehicle recovery. When a kinetic recovery rope is attached to a stuck vehicle and pulled by another vehicle, the kinetic energy from the movement of the pulling vehicle is transferred to the stuck vehicle through the rope. This kinetic energy can help to "wake up" and move the stuck vehicle and allow it to be pulled free more easily.
In the case of recovering a school bus or other large vehicle, a kinetic recovery rope can be used as a heavy duty recovery rope to transfer kinetic energy from a recovery vehicle to the stuck vehicle, making it easier to pull the bus out of a hole or other difficult situation. The rope works by stretching and contracting as the recovery vehicle moves, which helps to generate additional force that can be used to help free the stuck vehicle.
Overall, the use of a kinetic recovery rope can make recovering a stuck vehicle easier by transferring kinetic energy from the recovery vehicle to the stuck vehicle, providing an additional force that can help to free the vehicle. These ropes are often used in off-road recovery situations, such as when a 4x4 vehicle or truck becomes stuck in mud or sand.
]]>One of the difficult parts of this kind of recovery is the fact that the recovery vehicle typically needs to pull from a high angle on the rolled rig. This angle puts the recovery vehicle in a disadvantage for traction since the rope or winch line will have a tendency to lift the back of the rig. This compounds the issue since most of the traction comes from the back axles of recovery vehicles, this is still a massive disadvantage for four wheel drive vehicles.
Since Ron Pratt's heavy wrecker is heavy and the fact that he was able to get a run for this recovery all of the traditional problems for this scenario became a non issue. we are truly grateful for the opportunity to work with Ron Pratt and his channel and observe his professional approach to using our recovery ropes.
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Chet from Larson Farms shows us how it's done with a 2" rope. Farming requires equipment that can handle hard work. Yankum Ropes are designed to handle even the toughest applications. In the video, Chet mentions "These grain carts have upgraded 50" wide tracks the 2096 normally only have 42" wide tracks." Installing wider tracks on the grain cart help it float better and prevent deeper compaction on the soil. Wider tracks also help keep the implement from getting stuck, the problem was this part of the field was still too wet.
No matter the condition of the soil, farmers only have a narrow window in the year to complete harvest. Even if the conditions are perfect for most of the land, many fields have wet spots or low areas that will historically get a tractor stuck. Chet gives us an excellent insight into how much work goes into harvest season. With that, time becomes your scarcest commodity. After the recovery we got a call from Chet telling us everything worked flawlessly which is music to our ears!
We love getting calls from happy farmers telling us that the recovery was smooth easy and fast. Time is always against a farmer, and we do our best to be the best option to make farm recoveries fast and safe. There have been several instances where a farmer has called us in a frantic saying "I heard you have the best farm tow rope in the world, I have broken every rope and chain in this county and I need you to overnight the biggest tow rope you got right now!" An overnight shipping bill for our largest rope isn't cheap, but when you compare the cost of a farm operation that has halted because of a stuck tractor, that shipping bill is a small price to pay.
Every large diameter kinetic tow rope is built with only the highest standards of safety and care. You can find the same rope Chet used in this video here, we also hope you take the time to watch the video and see for yourself how well these ropes work on the farm. We strive to make sure Yankum Ropes is the best option for your farm.
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Behind the scenes, Andrea, Shane, and Alan were running the booth at the trail hero event when Matt came to visit, at that moment Matt got a call from for a Jeep stuck in the Toquerville Falls trail. He asked us if we could go and be a part of the recovery and called Rory to join the fun as well. This recovery ended up being quite the adventure.
The Toquerville trail is a difficult trail for many rock crawling rigs and to add to the dynamic it's in the bottom of a canyon with a creek running through it. several days earlier there was a rain storm in the area that brought the water level much higher making it impassable. When the off-roaders drove through the water was still too deep in some areas.
When we arrived to the rig the engine was deep enough in the water to have flooded and had hydro-locked, in other words the Jeep was "dead in the water." Right after we got there, Rudy from Rudy's Adventure and Design waded into the water and jumped in the Jeep, and the water was very VERY cold. Rory backed up to the Jeep with his buggy and Matt winched over the top of his roll cage in order to lift the dead Jeep out of the mud to break suction. After the "easy" part was finished we then had to get the rig back to the trail head. The hardest most nerve racking part was to keep the jeep between two rigs to keep it from ramming into the recovery rig all while Rudy fought hypothermia navigating a Jeep without power steering. The next scary obstacle was a tall hill that we had to drag a very heavy, waterlogged rig. Since it was too heavy for just one rig, the only way we could get it out to daisy chain several recovery rigs together.
A-lot happens in this clip, but the best part of the whole video is friends working together to help someone in need. We are honored to work with Matt, Rory and Rudy to help make recoveries easier and safer for themselves and creating awareness around these incredibly strong kinetic recovery ropes.
]]>If you have been to the Salt flats in Utah... you know... the peanut butter is bad... These salt flats are notoriously known for eating rigs alive and the bigger they are the deeper they sink. Heavy D has other videos of an entire excavator buried past the base of the cab, but that will be a future blog post...
The Military 5ton is a very heavy rig and Dave got it buried to the axles! Just a week before, we had sent the Diesel Brothers a bunch of ropes. They were impressed but were very skeptical if the kinetic rope would hold up to their needs. Well, needless to say, it worked, but it didn't just work, our rope worked on the first pull! On our end it was just business as usual, but the reaction on Heavy D's face is PRICELESS! With the success of this recovery we were then able to win the trust and recognition of the whole channel which then lead to the creation of the Brodozer Rope made specifically for diesel trucks.
Dave Sparks is one of our best advocates of our recovery gear and what they are capable of. Braiding cordage and hand splicing the perfect kinetic recovery rope requires the best materials and craftsmen in order to function properly. When we get calls of 1" ropes pulling loaded semis our of the snow, it's a party at Yankum Ropes.
]]>Daniel called us up and asked if he could do a video tutorial on our groove fairlead. We were excited about the proposal and even more surprised that he wouldn't let us give him one, stating that he wanted to have an unbiased opinion! Now this is the kind of review that would make a-lot of other businesses nervous since there is zero control fo dialogue, but that isn't our style.
"I upgrade Badlands winch (12000 LB) from Harbor Freight, to 7/16" synthetic rope from Yankum Ropes and installed their Groove Fairlead to get rid of any metal in my winch system. Had I not seen Nate's video on @Dirt Lifestyle I would have never considered doing this. I was hesitant at first but now I'm super glad I did it. The Harbor Freight winch is easy to upgrade to synthetic rope! Remove the metal from your winching setup to make it safer!" -Daniel Earnest, Flawed Offroad
We earned another great review from another trail hardened rock crawlin' maniac! Daniel is an awesome dude and we are honored to work with him. In his video Flawed Offroad goes into great detail of how to install your very own Groove Fairlead. The groove fairlead is a new member of the off-road community, it's designed to store the winch-line inside recessed grooves to protect it from impacts from trees rocks and brush. This also gives it the capability to be hookless! Yes, we have heard it all over and over Why delete your hook from your winch-line?! Theres lots of reasons...
Delete your winch hook
Case Number One: Safety. Removing metal from your winching equation is always the best idea, even with the highest grade of UHMWPE/Plasma/Dyneema winch-line still has a capability of turning things into projectiles especially if you experience an unsuccessful recovery and have a rig "roll back." If you have a heavy metal object it can do many dangerous things to you and your rig.
Case Number Two: Easy Use. If you have to do a recovery with a hook and a tree strap usually you can only fit one and a half of the loops from your tree strap into the hook. Now if you are successful in precariously perching the second loop in the hook you risk one the the two next scenarios... first scenario, it doesn't slip into the hook and is punctured by the hook, this is very rare, but when it happens it seriously compromises the tree strap. Scenario number two, it slips past the safety latch inside the hook as soon as the line is under load. This becomes very difficult to pry free and usually results in the safety latch getting removed from the hook which is also an unsafe practice. Now, to avoid both of these scenarios, most people will use a soft shackle inside their hook in order to avoid pain and frustration... SO WHAT IS THE HOOK EVEN DOING FOR YOU?! Ditch it...
Case Number Three: Fit and Finish. it looks beautiful!
Case Number Four: Protect your winch-line. Your winch-line is very expensive, this is the only best option to protect it from trees and rocks. It just makes sense.
]]>If you wondered why Yankum Ropes are so good at recoveries? Well, it's all about the ingredients, but most importantly the people making them. Yankum ropes use kinetic energy to increase your pulling force. It all starts by making precision yarn. We then take the yarn, and combine them into the strongest double braided ropes on the market. The nylon is then braided into a core, and jacket. The braided weave works like a finger trap. As you pull, the weave gets tighter. Once braided, we hand splice the eyes. Each rope is dipped in our containment coating, and this coating glues all the fibers together, and protects your rope from all the elements.
We take pride in our ropes in making sure they perform the best when you need them the most. When we make Yankum Ropes we check every step of the way and continuously quality control each rope to make sure it will out stretch, and out perform all of the other kinetic tow rope imitations on the market. Our double braid weave is engineered so you can do running start recoveries in the worst weather conditions.
Many people wonder why they might need a running start recovery. In many cases, the surface conditions near and around a vehicle that is stuck, is also slippery, therefore if you don't have traction, your only friend is momentum, and momentum is a very powerful friend. Our kinetic tow ropes makes this principle of physics your greatest ally.
Our favorite part of this process is at the very end after every rope is inspected and tagged we have Tony, our resident guitarist, play every rope a sweet melody of Rock n' Roll "the Warrior Anthem of Victory". Trust us, there isn't a better way finish off the best tow rope on the internet.
]]>Paul from Fab Rats and Alan with Yankum Ropes use the new Groove Fairlead after Alan breaks the rear driveline on his Landcruiser. This new Hawse fairlead is the only one of its kind and is the best at protecting your synthetic winchline. The day started out to just be a relaxing ride with friends on the trail called Metal Masher in Moab, a fun time to go wheeling and enjoy some fun company.
The first big obstacle on Metal Masher is a very steep wall, one of the disadvantages of our Toyota Landcruiser is its approach angle. In order to get the front tires on the rocks you have to grind the front bumper up the rocks. We captured this moment as an excellent example of how the fairlead protects the winch-line from abrasion and pinching on rocks. Several years earlier Alan had broken his roller fairlead on the very same obstacle.
Sure enough the Groove Fairlead had worked exactly as planned but the adventure hadn't even begun until the very next moment... BANG! The rear driveline snapped in the double cardon u-joint just behind the center diff. So we had a choice, to either suffer the consequences of our hobby, or turn this into a good youtube video.
Alan turned to Paul and said, "welp, can we squeeze a video out of this??" and with a big grin he said "ABSOLUTELY!" The wind was terrible and the mood was upbeat given the circumstances. We immediately went to work and removed the driveline from the landcruiser and locked the center diff so the front wheels would at least provide some assistance.
The rest of the details are captured in the video, with an emphasis in explaining the use of this new style hawse fairlead. We this video definitely leans into being a commercial, but the event of breaking a driveline was an opportunity we couldn't let slip by.
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