I got the winch working and took the rig out for a test. Immediately I had problems. I put the blade in a snow bank which raised it... releasing the tension on that mass of winch cable and it bird-nested. Not knowing what I was doing, I attempted to raise or lower the blade, which jammed the winch and smoked the 50 amp fuse. At least I know that a winch stall is protected. Grrr... so, I limped back to the house, not far fortunately and fixed it. I chopped off that horrible steel cable, leaving enough to cover the drum with one layer. That is carefully and painfully (difficult to do...) wrapped with electrical tape and cable ties so it cannot spring up off the drum and tangle. It works now, it only has to move a few inches to work the blade.
I may have to tip the blade back slightly too, not sure yet. No fresh snow (of course) to test it on.
So, what is the best/cheapest/recommended synthetic cable for the winch? Or, should I get a strap and put the synthetic rope on for summer?
HELP!