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Razor
Canada
424 Posts |
 Posted - 11/05/2009 : 06:09:42 AM
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| Recently I have been speaking with quite a few rookie mushers just starting out, many of them have a misconception that Iron rope is chew proof. Myself I like to use cable which is chew proof aside from the plastic coating for fall training and switch to poly with stainless steel cable for the winter as it is easier to get a grip on with mitts. I just find that the cost of Iron rope lines compared to cable is about 3 times more for a product that will not stand up to the abuse. I realise it is extremely strong and light weight but if you have chewers it's a rather expensive replacement piece of equipment. Please weigh in with your pros and cons. |
Razor |
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Fast E
USA
1858 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2009 : 06:31:10 AM
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We use 'spectra' for racing and it is in the 'iron rope' category,it is chewable but will give more time than the different rope lines avaliable and lasts much longer yr after yr.
We use cable first couple mnths for training to make sure no line eaters develope any reocuring bad habbits. |
www.fastestreeperkennel.com |
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silverbelle
USA
105 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2009 : 11:55:55 AM
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I use cabled Spectra for distance. The Spectra stands up to chewing much better than poly. I am still using some ganglines that are 5 years old. I have never had a cabled poly section last more than a month. The Spectra in my case is money well spent.
Happy Trails! |
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jess_z0
Canada
185 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2009 : 4:33:33 PM
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Where have you found a good place to buy spectra from?
How much is it?
thanks |
http://www.aussiemusher.com |
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Razor
Canada
424 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2009 : 03:38:50 AM
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| Thats the main issue is the cost. If you buy a spool of 700' the cost for 1/4" is $1.00 per foot and 5/16" is $1.39 and that is if you are buying it from a distributor. If you are buying in smaller quantities you have to buy from a retailer for about $2.50 per foot, so to make a 2 dog section with snaps costs about $30.00 and that is cost, retail will be double. Cable with pivotal pucks can be made for about $13.00. So something that is chew proof compared to something that can still be destroyed quite easy doesn't make sense or cents to me. Yes, even with poly filled cable they can chew the poly but at least they cant chew the cable, they may look like $%!# but at least the dogs can't get off. |
Razor |
Edited by - Razor on 11/06/2009 05:08:22 AM |
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kenhaggett
USA
108 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2009 : 07:13:34 AM
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| Silverbelle, why have your cable/poly sections failed after only 4 weeks of use? |
Ken Haggett
Lake Elmore, Vt.
http://www.peacepupsdogsledding.com |
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Embee
USA
149 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2009 : 07:20:36 AM
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| Training your dogs not to chew seems a better solution. We use cable core inside of our mainline only. Have a few necklines that get chewed on occasion, not very often anymore, and have one dog that likes to chew the tug in front of him so have to keep an eye on him at hookup and hook him in last. Have NEVER had one of our mainlines fail. Use heavier cable inside of lines for training, alot lighter for racing!! |
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silverbelle
USA
105 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2009 : 12:11:34 PM
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When the poly is chewed, the cable is usually compromised as well and I will not use it. Also the poly will bunch up and leave the cable exposed and that is not a good thing in the event of tangles. I also hate getting cable jabs in my hands.
I discourage chewing, and don't really have too many chewers, but do have a few biters - when they are excited, and they just slice right through the poly. As they have to acually chew the spectra, I am dollars ahead using spectra.
I also use uncabled spectra for tug lines, because the spectra will hold up to being twisted up - poly absolutely doesn't. (I run buggy harnesses with short tugs (12 inches or so) and no neck lines, and the partner dogs do twist up).
Happy Trails!
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Razor
Canada
424 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2009 : 1:34:48 PM
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| I agree training your dogs not to chew is the best thing but it is easier to train on something that they cant chew through in 4 or 5 bites. Personally I don't have to worry about it myself and I could run with just Poly but as a precaution and because of race rules for mids I don't. As for cable being compromised it's not that easy, there are 133 strands of steel in a cable line and when a dog bites down thier teeth usually go inbetween the strands not breaking them. I have used the same set of 1/8" cable coated to 5/32" with nylon for the past 4 years for training 12 dogs at a time, there are chew marks from pups and yearlings and pieces of plastic missing but guaranteed if it was spectra 12 they would be demolished by now at triple the cost. I just think that people should not be told Spectra is chew PROOF when it is not. I agree it is excellent compared to poly for strength and weight but it's not cable. |
Razor |
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Cable vs. Iron rope
