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Pull starter rope length/strength??

33K views 5 replies 5 participants last post by  Joelk 
#1 ·
I have two Polaris Sleds that I got this summer/fall.

The first one I got is a 96 XCR 600 SP. It pulls fairly easily, but I noticed that I when I would pull it, it would reach "the end of the rope" before I had it pulled out very far. I assumed someone had shortened the rope and was planning to install a new/longer rope in it.

I just recently got an 01 XC 800 SP. It pulls MUCH harder. Unfortunately I also reach "the end of the rope" on a "normal pull" and when I have to pull it as hard as I have to pull it, I hurt my wrist when it suddenly stopped.

Since both up them stop at about the same point, I now suspect that they have the stock length rope in them and for some reason Polaris uses a short rope.

Do others notice the same thing?

How long is the stock rope in these sleds?

Can I put a longer rope in them, and if so, approx. how long?

How strong does the rope have to be? I got some from local bike shop and they said it is what they use in all of their 4 wheelers and "it should be fine", but my 800 pulls a lot harder than anything else I have ever pull started and I am wondering if I need to buy a special rope, and if so, what do I need and where can I get it.

Thanks, Joel
 
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#2 ·
I have two Polaris Sleds that I got this summer/fall.

The first one I got is a 96 XCR 600 SP. It pulls fairly easily, but I noticed that I when I would pull it, it would reach "the end of the rope" before I had it pulled out very far. I assumed someone had shortened the rope and was planning to install a new/longer rope in it.

I just recently got an 01 XC 800 SP. It pulls MUCH harder. Unfortunately I also reach "the end of the rope" on a "normal pull" and when I have to pull it as hard as I have to pull it, I hurt my wrist when it suddenly stopped.

Since both up them stop at about the same point, I now suspect that they have the stock length rope in them and for some reason Polaris uses a short rope.

Do others notice the same thing?

How long is the stock rope in these sleds?

Can I put a longer rope in them, and if so, approx. how long?

How strong does the rope have to be? I got some from local bike shop and they said it is what they use in all of their 4 wheelers and "it should be fine", but my 800 pulls a lot harder than anything else I have ever pull started and I am wondering if I need to buy a special rope, and if so, what do I need and where can I get it.

Thanks, Joel[/b]
There is no "fixed" length that is correct. I always put on a little "excess", get the recoil back in the sled and pull it over a few times (it seems to "pack" the recoil rope in a bit tighter), then cut off whatever I can't get the recoil spring to roll back up into the case. It lets you get the rope as long as possible to avoid the situation you ran into. When you have to yank as hard as you do to start some of these bigger motors, its definitely possible to get hurt if you hit the end of the rope. As far as rope goes, some of the aftermarket companies sell high-strength rope (SLP comes to mind). I use a small diameter mountaineering type rope - I think it's 5mm or 5.5mm or something like that. Its 1000lb break strength and doesn't "stretch" like typical nylon does. The down side is that since it isn't "stretchy", it has a harsher feeling when you crank the motor over. But, it isn't something you'll ever be able to break by hand unless it gets damaged.
 
#4 ·
Get 8 feet do what Orville x said.

Polaris rope is fine, it only breaks after its frayed, so every 6000 miles change it.
 
#5 ·
Get 8 feet do what Orville x said.

Polaris rope is fine, it only breaks after its frayed, so every 6000 miles change it.[/b]
Mine broke on my 800 at around 1300 miles. Luckily only about a foot from the handle and it stopped before getting sucked all the way in so I just retied and ran it for the weekend till I could get to the good stuff. It was also around -25 that morning too. Might have had something to do with it?
 
#6 ·
Since my original post I have done some surfing and got the impression that a lot of people have broken the stock ropes on these sleds. Some reported breaking more than one in a season.

Ridin' again. Based upon the length of my rope, I suspect that may have happened to the prior owner and he just used what was left W/O replacing it.

I would like to uses something stronger than the stock rope. I have checked out the SLP cord and it is $4.20 per foot.

SLP says it is 3/16" and rated at 5000 pounds.

This is very simiar to what I see for 3/16" Synthetic Winch Line (SWL) (5400 lb average break strength, 4900 lb minimum) and I suspect they may be the same product.

I have seen a few (but only a few) posts by people stating that they have used the SWL. The reports were all good with no one reporting any problems with it.

I can buy the SWL on E-bay for about $50 for 50 feet. This would be more than I need, but this would give me pleanty to keep in stock for other sleds. I would rather pay $50 for 50 feet than $34 for 8', even if some "goes to waste"

Anyone ever use the SWL and if so, how well did it work?

Anywhere to get a better deal on it than 50 feet for $50?

Or perhaps a shorter length at similar per foot price?
 
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