Swabbing winch drum capacity varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Well depth ratings might limit the capacity of swabbing winch drums. Available power to winch drum might be limiting too. Swab Master Information.

Most people believe that optimum cable size is 9/16” 6×7 strand rating. however, swabbing well depths up to about 6,000 feet, 7/16 6×7 cable works well

Cable or “sand line” working load limits vary with size and construction. A rule of “thumb” is operating loads of 33% of breaking strength gives good cable life and safety factor in swab operations. The rating for 9/16” 6×7 cable breaking strength is 26,000 pounds. Breaking strength for 1/2″ 6×7 cable7/16 6×7 sand line is 15,800# Breaking strength of 7/16” cable sand line is 15,800#

If swab drum is too small to hold the length of cable your wells need, A new option is to consider “swedged cable” this is cable that has been Pulled through a smaller die. Meaning 9/16” diameter cable can be “swedged” to 1/2″ diameter. The rating or breaking strength is between 1/2 and 9/16”.

Usually “swedged cable” will work very satisfactory in swabbing operations and can help solve the problem of needing more capacity on the swabbing drum

Call Mark Overholt at Tiger General LLC (330 725 4949) to learn more. Talk to Mark about your swabbing equipment needs. Mark Overholt will help you with information about new swab master machines and used machines. Learn more about what is best for your operations.

See more included information about drum size and cable capacity formulas, installation, operation, and maintenance information. The included information is by no means complete or guarantees of anything. It is offered as a good, basic starting point. Contact a qualified cable supplier for more details. Get professional advise and use good judgment and experience to make sure everyone will be as safe as possible operating your equipment.