FACTOR 55 News

 

 

Thanks for your patience on this. Here is the video of our soft shackle knot position test that many of you asked for. As mentioned before, we take the average breakage data from many sample tests completed. This video is typical of a single sample test. The first test is of our 10 inch soft shackle with the knot positioned in the middle of the span and the second test is with the knot positioned against the rigging, in this case the oversized test bed steel hook.

Take a deep dive into our proof load and destructive testing. Hear from our founder and lead engineer, Mike Costa, about techniques that are used to test FACTOR 55...

Take a look at a photo that one of our readers sent in. This is a case of poor structural design from a cheap imported bumper company. In this case, the shackle tabs were simply welded to the thin skin of the bumper without any structure on the inside to provide a load path to supporting structures like the frame rails or frame cross member. As we all know, shackle tabs can be exposed to tremendous momentary loads when yanked on with a kinetic rope, etc.. Proper recovery points need to transfer the pulling load through the bumper and to the underlying supporting frame. So, the next time you are about purchase a bumper, winch mount etc, just try to picture the path that the load must take to get to something strong. In the case of bumpers and shackle tabs, make sure you at least look behind the bumper to see some type of supporting structure.

We like what we see, but we really like what we don’t see even better ……exposed synthetic winch rope.

 

 

Here is a flashback video from our friend Keller McCowen demonstrating how to field splice a loop into the end of a broken steel cable. When most of us break a steel winch cable, we either clamp (If we have cable clamps) the end into a loop or just call it a day for the winch. Kellen shows us just how simple field splicing a steel cable can be. This is not intended to be a permanent fix for your winch cable. Like many off-road field repairs, this type of knowledge can get your winch back to being functional and your rig off of the trail.

The Land Rover Defender has not been available in North America since 1997. After a 23 year hiatus, Land Rover is reintroducing the Defender model to North America in the spring of 2020. This is one of the most highly anticipated new model releases from Land Rover. Compared to the other Land Rover models, the new Defender is designed to be the most capable off-road.

From our friends at GenRight Off Road. Between the Ultra4 Racing circuit and hard core trail wheeling, the guys at GenRight certainly put offroad parts to the ultimate test. Take a look at their FlatLink E with Rope Guard on the front of the Terremoto JK. This is a great example of how the Rope Guard is supposed to function. As you can see, although the Rope Guard is scraped up from impacts, the synthetic rope thimble and rope is completely protected behind the Rope Guard. Think of the Rope Guard as a consumable skid plate for the front of your winch line. It will protect the end of your synthetic line not only from offroad impacts, but also from oncoming freeway road debris and damaging UV light (Yes the drum of rope should also be covered when the winch is not in use).

Factor 55, the internationally recognized leader in Closed System Winching™ & Recovery, is proud to announce they will be the sponsor of the Race Vehicle Tech Inspection Tent for the 2017 King of the Hammers race.  Nearly 500 race teams will pass through this tent to undergo race scrutineering and have GPS tracking units installed.  Billed as the toughest one day race on the planet, King of the Hammers will test these vehicles and their drivers to the breaking point.  The Factor 55 Vehicle Tech Inspection Tent crew will ensure the teams begin the race in a vehicle that is within the Ultra4 rules and is as safe as possible.