What's a Fiddle Block for 4X4s?

#fiddleblock #redwinches #snatchblock #fm12 #fm24 #forcemultiplier

Here's an interesting new product, a fiddle block made for offroading from Red Winches. This is a way to get a 5:1 mechanical advantage. Probably most useful for offroading light-truck owners.

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[teddekker]

Thank you Robert, very interesting to see some new product & ideas 🙂 - Ted

[fourbypete]

I'm glad you explained it. Only people with very heavy vehicles and long synthetic rope would need this.

[kareemsalessi]

I measured 6-to-1 mechanical advantage with two in-line fiddle-blocks; lifted 60lb, with 10lb-force!!!

[charliestreeservice]

Great product testing videos. We use a lot of synthetic rope 10mm, 14mm and 20mm to winch over trees and move heavy equipment in our line of work. Agree that recovery of trucks and trailers requires a lot of force, I'd recommend 100m of 10mm Dyneema if you want to use these effectively. Thanks for the review, I think we'll add a couple to our kit. Cheers

[MadMattWD]

Excellent Robert. I look forward to having a fiddle with a fiddle block.

[omyota]

I like the idea, but crikey you could get a pile of snatch rings and soft shackles for the same price, and have lots more options in a recovery situation.

[allangoodger]

An alternative that a lot of people don't know about is the Z rig.

[TheREALMuad-dib]

I'm hitchin up my fiddle block right now..

[chuckvan]

Each additional line doubles the pulling power. The problem is that running extra lines use up a lot of line. A winch typically has approximately 100 ft of line/cable. Then to maintain a full wrap of line on the winch reduces available line even more.

[andrewhoward]

That's really interesting, especially as I'm new to the subject. Thanks.

[CrusaderSports]

So basically two snatch blocks for more money and less versatility, fine for digging beach bums out the sand but in a forest you often need one to change the angle of pull and the other to halve the load, or using two blocks on different anchor points to spread the anchor load, ( had as many as six pulleys on five anchor points when winching out stumps), this means the load on each point is less, creating less strain, and should an anchor point give way as its only a part load it is intrinsically safer. Using a wire strop you can rig your pulley system and at the last pulley fix your hand winch, ( you shouldn't use a hand winch wire round a pulley), to keep the hand winch line straight, ( again used this set up, including on boulders up to two tonnes), the hand winch is a much underrated bit of kit and can be used at any angle, even away from the vehicle, get one and have fun !!☺.

[robertfrancis]

Maybe I missed something but this "fiddle block" seems like nothing more than a poorly designed block & tackle.
There's a reason why the original 2500 year old design of the block & tackle works and is still in use today.

[ibetrollintheybehatin]

Most synthetic winch ropes are between 80-95FT. so, with 5 lines, let's hope you're stuck 20FT or less away from an anchoring point.
I'll stick with 2-22, 000lb snatch blocks for $45 a pair.

[ianmoore]

Good idea for a select group 4x4 er's. Have been waiting for a multi sheave product.

[robertWohlers]

I agree with much of what Chris Cole is saying about this products possible dangers. IMHO I also find it quite “industrial” vs. “recreational” - even when used with really large Overlanding vehicles. In practicality, “who would carry this” even in an EarthCruiser, Unimog, or Ford 550 EarthRoamer? In a larger vehicle, I rather carry one, perhaps two, VERY robust and well made pulley blocks with the correct MTS and WLLs. Just me.

[sharkeyist]

“Whos this for?” People who like shiney expensive things they are never going to use.

[chuckjohn]

Great info I'm just wondering where is the steel cable at? I see most winches and most all wreckers have steel cable not rope. What's the big difference I'd think steel cable is better more durable. I haven't had trouble with steel cables n blocks

[Zerububble]

It's a similar idea to things available for motorcycles. "Motorcycle Recovery System (MRS) Part 1"

[Approtechie]

5 lines don't make 5:1 MA, only 4:1 since one line only changes the direction without giving any mechanical advantage. Count your lines and subtract one. Try it, you'll see.

[jasonh]

Hello Robert Pepper found your youtube site and subscribed im from western Canada (alberta)and hope to learn more about recovery, overlanding gear. Also better tecniques. I have a jeep jk and 10k winch, some friends say over kill untill your 2.5 into gumbo.👍