Winch (tirfor) wire rope bag

[jmp49]

Bit of a odd one this, but after years of having problems with cheap winches I have gotten a genuine tractel tirfor winch s/h, and bought a 15m steel cable for it. In the tercel manual it mentions winching and paying out the free cable from a (provided) wire rope bag.
As I didnt get one with it, does anyone have any photos of a actual wire rope bag like tercel sell with the winch? It doesnt have to be a tercel one, just one made for coiling wire winch ropes automatically.
My mrs is offering to make me one from heavy canvas or leather as she is set up and makes bags for a hobby, but she wants a picture of what a real one looks like, and what features it might have like grommets etc and my google fu is failing me just coming up with ones for climbing ropes.

 

[Robotstar5]

Didn't know there was a proper bag, I used to keep my Tirfor cable coiled inside an old motorcycle front tyre.

 

[Mikes]

I've seen metal wire spools for the cables but they are quite small diameter so not particularly practical to use. Like Robotstar5, just use an old tyre. Land-rover 7.50 x 16 make for an ideal storage.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Didn't know there was a proper bag, I used to keep my Tirfor cable coiled inside an old motorcycle front tyre.

That is the classic way

 

[Kram]

The bag probably wants stiff sides a bit like a tyre, tho a tyre may be quite a lot heavier if your carrying it any distance.

I use a "wet suit bag" for my tree ropes, 5m wire core lanyard and harness, works well, if a bit small to get everything in one bag.
This sort of thing. Aldi had them a bit cheaper last year.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kinwodon-Changing-Portable-Waterproof-Swimwear/dp/B0D1CF71M6

 

[fizzy]

Didn't know there was a proper bag, I used to keep my Tirfor cable coiled inside an old motorcycle front tyre.

I always use a car tyre - even illegal ones work
It keeps it nicely coiled and it is so much easier to roll the tyre than carry the heavy rope!

 

[jmp49]

I think the idea behind the bag is there's some sort of grommet at the neck so the wire auto coils itself back in as you reel it in behind the winch, and you leave the rope/hook end in the tirfor at the end and carry bag/tirfor as one.
There are climbing rope bags dedicated for this that are like weird big stiff duffel bags and you pay and return the rope via a hole in the top that's grommetted and they have a dedicated drain grommet in the bottom, I was imagining something even more robust but with like a fairlead on the top.

I currently am using a pillowcase so I'm not too posh to use a old tyre and I told her that it'd be slung round on the floor etc and get battered, but my wife is itching to make one on her industrial machine.

 

[Migmac]

Used tirfors for years, never knew a bag for the rope was a thing. Our ropes were kept on a three legged reel. I have a tree hog rope bag for my rope I use with my capstan winch, it’s strong but probably wouldn’t be much use with a wire rope. Coils are maybe eight inches in diameter, quite tight for a wire rope

 

[fizzy]

Used tirfors for years, never knew a bag for the rope was a thing. Our ropes were kept on a three legged reel. I have a tree hog rope bag for my rope I use with my capstan winch, it’s strong but probably wouldn’t be much use with a wire rope. Coils are maybe eight inches in diameter, quite tight for a wire rope

I very quickly ditched the 3 legged reels. Tyre so much better. Just roll it where you need it. Especially useful on the biggest Tirfor with the thicker cable.

 

[Migmac]

I very quickly ditched the 3 legged reels. Tyre so much better. Just roll it where you need it. Especially useful on the biggest Tirfor with the thicker cable.

Ours were static, mounted to a machine. Tyre is a good idea

 

[8ob]

Only ever used straps or cable ties on tirfor steel rope.

Bob

 

[Pete.]

Mine is rolled up and cable tied too.

 

[Agroshield]

I think the idea behind the bag is there's some sort of grommet at the neck so the wire auto coils itself back in as you reel it in behind the winch

Maybe you need to reassess this idea. In order for the rope to 'coil', it has to twist along its length. A standard rope will not do this let alone a steel cable.

AIUI, with those sorts of rope stowage devices, the rope 'flakes' into the bag - just goes in randomly twisting first one way and then the other so it remains good when you pull it out again.

Think about an extension lead or hosepipe. If you start with it in a coil, plug one end into a wall socket or attach to a wall tap (at this point be sure not to confuse the two items) and just pull the lead/hose out straight, it will kink because of the multiple twists along its length. That is the reason road crews at gigs coil their leads in a figure 8 style - each coil puts in either a clockwise or an anti-clockwise twist, which cancel each other out when you pay out the lead.

With the wire rope contained in or on something when it pays out or draws in, either the entire rope coil has to rotate within the bag or the whole spool has to rotate.

 

[MattF]

On the subject of Tirfor's, how long is the handle on those, generally? I acquired one a while ago, but no handle. Are they anything fancy, or just a length of tube or rod?

 

[fizzy]

On the subject of Tirfor's, how long is the handle on those, generally? I acquired one a while ago, but no handle. Are they anything fancy, or just a length of tube or rod?

Basically just a length of tube.
There is a shear pin on the lever to stop you over stressing it. And it takes a lot to do that! Two strong blokes pulling is fine.

 

[Agroshield]

On the subject of Tirfor's, how long is the handle on those... Are they anything fancy...

The proper handle is in two parts, is telescopic and varies according to which model you have.

I am saying this so you do not end up with something too short or too long if someone just states a number without also stating the model to which that number applies.

Tirfor Telescopic Operating Handle - Honey Brothers

Tirfor Telescopic Operating Handle from Honey Brothers. The largest equipment specialist in the tree care industry.

honeybros.com

Measure the circumference of the spigot on the machine and convert that into an inside diameter to tell you the tube needed. I saw something saying standard 1" black iron or galvanised pipe is suitable. Instead of telescopic, you could make it two parts, joined with a standard tube coupler. Keep some spare shear pins in a bag pushed up the handle.

 

[Migmac]

The proper handles have a compartment for spare shear pins. They break, so it’s handy to have them with the tirfor.

 

[fizzy]

The proper handle is in two parts, is telescopic and varies according to which model you have.

I am saying this so you do not end up with something too short or too long if someone just states a number without also stating the model to which that number applies.

Tirfor Telescopic Operating Handle - Honey Brothers

Tirfor Telescopic Operating Handle from Honey Brothers. The largest equipment specialist in the tree care industry.

honeybros.com

Measure the circumference of the spigot on the machine and convert that into an inside diameter to tell you the tube needed. I saw something saying standard 1" black iron or galvanised pipe is suitable. Instead of telescopic, you could make it two parts, joined with a standard tube coupler. Keep some spare shear pins in a bag pushed up the handle.

I have the proper handle. But a bit of tube about 4 to 5ft long does very well.

 

[8ob]

I have the proper handle. But a bit of tube about 4 to 5ft long does very well.

Welded a steel ball onto the end of a tube for my Tirfor, cant really do any harm because there is a shear pin on the winch which will protect it from over zealous use.

Bob

 

[fizzy]

Welded a steel ball onto the end of a tube for my Tirfor, cant really do any harm because there is a shear pin on the winch which will protect it from over zealous use.

Bob

View attachment 455986

Why?
Wanted a mace???