WSI, RPG and ICON present: The SnoBall 500

[Big Blue]

Took advantage of the great group buy on these Kinetic ropes and figured I would share with those that may not know the difference between these and recovery straps. Both will pull you out, but the rope will do it without breaking the neck of the stuck vehicle. They are both good to over 30k lbs but as you can see, the rope is considerably larger. As a matter of fact, its frikken huge!

Keep in mind fellow Snoballers, A rope/strap is required inventory on the run.

 

[shooterAMG]

Very cool Mike. No doubt that recovery straps, tow straps, kinetic ropes and even winches are very different animals. Anyone who uses one should know the dangers and the differences. On my Badlands run, we had to winch a Jeep within the first 5 minutes. I saw guys standing next to the winch lines right in the line of fire. The guy in the stationary winch vehicle had his truck in Park and put all that pressure on the parking pin. We had to let him know it's better to put it in Neutral and keep foot on brake. Just because you have a winch doesn't mean you know how to use it. I'm just glad that everyone learned a mild lesson and no one was hurt.


IMHO, kinetic ropes are great for sand, mud and snow. They're necessary, again in MHO, where the recovery vehicle can get a running start rather than brute force pull out. Tough to do that when your own wheels are spinning.

Todd

 

[WorldTour]

Blue & Todd, you bring up a great point. I work in the oilfield and for the most part preach about "safety culture." One thing that is brought up over & over is "stop work authority" in short it means if unsafe practices are observed anyone and I mean anyone has the right and the obligation to stop said unsafe act before someone is harmed or damage occurs. Personally i feel this run should be no different. Everyone participating on this run has the right and obligation to speak up and put a stop to an unsafe act. The goal here is to get everyone to the end and have a good time doing it. Some of us have less off-roading/cold weather experience than others and will be looking to the more experienced for help... point is we work together and work to keep each other safe.

I'll get off my soap box now!

 

[brd o pry]

I've been gritting my teeth ever since the kinetic rope was brought up. Now safety was brought up, I work for a company that is safety first, no exceptions. That being said, kinetic ropes are extremely dangerous do the streching like a rubberband. I spend 5 years in the US Navy and that was very big with them also, with the rubberband effect. I personally have seen what can happen when something lets go, they snap back like a rubberband and at extreme force. I used to work with someone that had a towhook break when using one of these and the rope with part of hook riding along went through the back window of his truck at fractured his skull. He lived but lost an eye. The regular tow straps do not snap back like the kinetic ropes making them much safer. Just don't want anyone hurt do to use of these. Yes they pull out very well, but, there is danger with them. Anyone that wants to dispute this first go online and do a search on "kinetic rope injuries".
Now i'll get off of my high horse and let anyone beat me up for this that wants to, but please do the search and read.

 

[MTUH3]

Extraction is "dangerous." Be smart with what you are doing, keep your truck and gear in shape and you limit you chance of something happening.

 

[Ms. MI Raptor]

Well everyone, Houghton is white and awaiting your arrival!

 

[svtlightning00]

very nice i wish we had some of that here in chicago already bring on the snow

 

[Yukon Joe]

I've been gritting my teeth ever since the kinetic rope was brought up. Now safety was brought up, I work for a company that is safety first, no exceptions. That being said, kinetic ropes are extremely dangerous do the streching like a rubberband. I spend 5 years in the US Navy and that was very big with them also, with the rubberband effect. I personally have seen what can happen when something lets go, they snap back like a rubberband and at extreme force. I used to work with someone that had a towhook break when using one of these and the rope with part of hook riding along went through the back window of his truck at fractured his skull. He lived but lost an eye. The regular tow straps do not snap back like the kinetic ropes making them much safer. Just don't want anyone hurt do to use of these. Yes they pull out very well, but, there is danger with them. Anyone that wants to dispute this first go online and do a search on "kinetic rope injuries".
Now i'll get off of my high horse and let anyone beat me up for this that wants to, but please do the search and read.

I believe safety is a way to live you life, a basic moral. Safety can be a priority, but priorities can change. Typically, you don't change your morals to get a job done.

Recovery is part of the offroading experience. But you don't always get to do it. Therefor an offroader typically doesn't have a lot of experience doing it. Safety tips should definitely be welcome during any recoveries at the Snoball500. If the ARS recovery ropes are used, a blanket shouKC be placed over the rope. Also helpers and spectators will need to keep their distance.

If there is anyone that takes this subject lightly, they should probably not come, not only can you be a danger to yourself, but to other participants.

Yukon Joe

 

[wiz1500]

I believe safety is a way to live you life, a basic moral. Safety can be a priority, but priorities can change. Typically, you don't change your morals to get a job done.

Recovery is part of the offroading experience. But you don't always get to do it. Therefor an offroader typically doesn't have a lot of experience doing it. Safety tips should definitely be welcome during any recoveries at the Snoball500. If the ARS recovery ropes are used, a blanket shouKC be placed over the rope. Also helpers and spectators will need to keep their distance.

If there is anyone that takes this subject lightly, they should probably not come, not only can you be a danger to yourself, but to other participants.

Yukon Joe

Not that I expected anything less but I'm very happy to here this..
Part of my job requirements involve heavy lifting and the moving of very big things..
So safety around these types of things is something I'm very serious about.
I also have story's of BAD things happening with rigging not placed or used properly..

 

[MTUH3]

Well everyone, Houghton is white and awaiting your arrival!

I was looking at the winds and radar for the week, looks like the ol' snow machine will be in high gear