Lift Cables

[WheelHorse_of_course 99]

Hey folks,

A couple of years back I added a lift cable to my shortframe. Even using the heavy box grader blade the only problems I ever had were related to how I connected it to the lift.

So, I endeavored to add a lift cable to my 69 Charger 12. It has a piece of flexible conduit from behind the tool box through to the the shifter housing.

After extensive looking I found only one passage from that area forward to the bell crank, namely a small hole.

So, I was worried that this point would cause wear on the wire rope (wire string?) but figured I'd give it a try.

I got it all installed and adjusted and tried it out with the aerator/drop spreader. This is a Brinly that the previous owner converted to work with a Brinly hitch rather than the usual drawbar. It is not particularly heavy and is easy to lift.

Well, the cable broke. Oddly enough it was right at the back where it broke. The only thing I can think of is that the wire rope from Home Despot is inferior to the stuff I got a few years back at an Industrial Hardware store. In both cases I used 3/16" cable.

Anyone care to enlighten me with other potential causes and recommendations?

Happy Independence Day to all.

Thanks, Rolf :thumbs:

[Red Iron 1]

I might add for lift cables breaking at rear hitch, I'm not familiar

with the Brinley set-up, but as with any "live" hitch, cable direction

at where it attached to "arm" or pivot point. The wire itself should

slope upwards to increase "leverage". If hitch goes way low, it's harder

to get it back up from that point, like a toggle locking. That would be

a place to look if same attachment breaks it while others work. Just a

hunch? :thumbs2:

[WheelHorse_of_course 99]

Hmmmm

Methinks you might be onto something. The slot hitch came with the u-shaped piece, but I don't think it currently pivots, but it should. Thanks for mentioning that.

Still, I was using a fairly light implement (not even close to the weight of the box grader) so I still think the Home Despot cable is inferior to what I used on my other tractor.

[Red Iron 1]

I suppose the cables from Home Centers are rated lighter duty than

those from automotive or farm supply places. I'm not sure on your length

total, but maybe a clutch cable for older vehicles may work? or brake cable?

Wire rope is rated by weight capacity, varies by how the ends are

swagged or looped with thimble (like half sleeve insert to hold the loop's shape

with saddle clamps (least 2, prefer 3). If there are sharp bends, it will rub

hard at the "point", a roller/pulley really helps guide the wire around

corners. Don't bend it more than 6 times the diameter, 3/16" would need

1 1/8" minimum diameter roller or guide. Also, make sure it doesn't

twist while it's moving, a swival helps here.

That "U" piece under the slot hitch acts like a stop to limit how far down

it can go, if the drawbar is still there.

If you want to loop the end of wire rope, it's not hard to do. I've done it with 1/2"

wire rope. Thimble & saddle clamps are sized for diameter of the cable.

When installing the saddle clamps, the "saddle" goes on the live side, u-bolt

over the short end. Remember this-We only saddle live horses huh? or is

it Don't saddle a dead horse. I'm not kidding ! Looping your own cables makes it easy to get that exact length you need as well orienting loops in proper

position so you don't need to twist it to hook up.

Hope things work out for you!!

:thumbs:

[WheelHorse_of_course 99]

Hey, I like that idea - I had not realized that an auto parts place would have wire string/rope. I'll pick some there.

My swaging tool is still in OH, I think. The irony is at the hardware store the clamps were defective (wrong diameter for the dies and the nut, so they would strip as soon as you tightened them at all.! Ace needs to send someone over to China for QC.

I have to say, that Home Despot didn't even make my lowest expectations.

:thumbs2:

[junkman 0]

go to the junkyard and get a parking brake cable off a car.. thats what i use :thumbs:

[Don1977 604]

I have had good luck using garage door cable.

[Cody 275]

I just bought a new lift cable for my C-141 from my local toro dealer thinking it would not be to expensive, well when i went to get it i wasn't expecting the dealer to say its almost $70 Sense i bought that one I have made my own using 5/16 cable and have not had any problem with them, and they only cost me a few dollars to make!