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For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797.

Item 57535 

        

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Operation

Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION section at the beginning of this manual 

including all text under subheadings therein before set up or use of this product. 

The instructions that follow are basic guidelines only and cannot cover all situations encountered 

during use.  The operator and assistants must carefully plan usage to prevent accidents.

Clutch Operation

CAUTION! Do not adjust the clutch unless there is no load on the Synthetic Rope.

1.  To engage the clutch, turn the Clutch 

Knob clockwise completely until it 

stops.  Refer to Figure G.

2.  To release the clutch (freespool), turn the 

Clutch Knob counterclockwise completely 

until it stops.  Refer to Figure G.

Engage

Release 

(freespool)

Figure G:  Clutch Operation

Basic Operation

Note:

  If a winch is to be used to pull a vehicle, 

it should optimally be rated to a single line 

pull at least twice the vehicle’s weight.

1.  Examine the Synthetic Rope.  Do not use the Winch 

if the Synthetic Rope is frayed or has cut strands.

2.  Fully charge the vehicle’s battery.

3.  Check the Winch’s electrical connections. 

All connections must be tight and clean.

4.  Put the vehicle’s transmission in Neutral.

5.  If the vehicle where the Winch is mounted 

is not supposed to be moved, engage the 

emergency brake and block the wheels 

using wheel chocks (sold separately).

6.  To pull out the Synthetic Rope, move the 

Clutch Knob to the Released position

see 

instructions for your Winch model under the 

Clutch Operation

 section.  Slide the loop of the 

Hook Strap over the Hook, then pull on the Hook 

Strap to pull out the Synthetic Rope. 

CAUTION!  Leave at least ten full turns 

of Synthetic Rope on the drum.

Summary of Contents for APEX 5500

Page 1: ...eference 21e When unpacking make sure that the product is intact and undamaged If any parts are missing or broken please call 1 888 866 5797 as soon as possible Copyright 2020 by Harbor Freight Tools All rights reserved No portion of this manual or any artwork contained herein may be reproduced in any shape or form without the express written consent of Harbor Freight Tools Diagrams within this ma...

Page 2: ... 0 9m long Solenoid Cables 6 gauge 8 2 4m long Mounting Pattern 3 x 6 6 76 2mm x 167 8mm Mounting Hardware Winch 4x G8 M8 1 25 x 25mm Adaptor Plate 2x G8 M8 1 25 x 25mm Fairlead 2x G8 M8 1 25 x 20mm Socket Lead 2x G8 ST M4 x 30mm Sound Rating 85 dB Overall Dimensions L x D x H 15 87 x 4 72 x 5 0 403 x 120 x 127mm Weight 20 78 lb 9 4 kg IP Rating IP 68 Winch and Controls except remote switch resist...

Page 3: ...nd abrasion resistant leather gloves Wear ANSI approved safety glasses Cut or sever hazard Roller entanglement hazard Hot surface burn hazard Fire hazard Caustic chemical acid hazard Explosion hazard Do not loop the synthetic rope around object and hook onto itself Do not place finger s through hook Fingers may be caught and get pulled into fairlead or drum Pull hook using strap only Symbol Proper...

Page 4: ...ear of fuel lines brake lines electrical wires gas tanks or any other component which could be damaged during drilling 4 Mounting location and hardware must support winch and load 5 Use supplied power cords and synthetic rope listed in manual only Do not use thinner longer cables or link multiple cables together 6 Do not route electrical cables near sharp edges or parts that will move or become ho...

Page 5: ...or aircraft purposes 13 Prevent entanglement Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry as they can be caught in moving parts Non skid footwear is recommended Wear restrictive hair covering to contain long hair 14 Disconnect battery cables before working near the synthetic rope drum fairlead or load to prevent accidental starting 15 Inspect before every use do not use if damaged or parts loose Examine ...

Page 6: ...nd an anchor point directly in front of the winch as shown in Figure C to keep the synthetic rope pull straight Figure C Snatch Block 29 Wear work gloves to protect from cuts from debris when working with synthetic rope Do not slide synthetic rope through hands even with gloves on 30 Winch motor will be hot during and after use Keep clear 31 Do not power the hook all the way into the fairlead or w...

Page 7: ...be needed or a certified welder may need to weld on additional bracing depending on the mounting location 4 Drill holes appropriate for the hardware at the marked locations 5 Install the Winch using hardware described under Specifications 4 Ø8 5mm threaded 4 72 in 120 mm 5 51 in 140mm 6 6 in 167 8mm 3 in 76 mm 2 36 in 60 mm 5 16 in 131mm 5 in 127 mm 15 87 in 403mm Figure D Winch Dimensions Mountin...

Page 8: ...tions 4 Attach the wires from the solenoid to the terminals on the Winch 5 Attach the Disconnect Switch to the Positive Terminal on the battery 6 Attach the red Battery Cable to the Disconnect Switch 7 Attach the black Battery Cable directly to the negative terminal of the battery 8 Wire in the Remote Control Dash Rocker Switch and Socket Lead according to the diagrams on this page 9 The cable lea...

Page 9: ...ble to support a load without damage 1 Find a suitable location where the Rope can be spooled onto the Winch while anchored to a solid object Approximately 70 feet will be required Alternately a snatch block sold separately may be used to reduce the distance to 35 feet 2 Turn the Clutch Knob counterclockwise to the Released freespool position Turn the Knob completely until it stops Uncoil the Synt...

Page 10: ...fer to Figure G Engage Release freespool Figure G Clutch Operation Basic Operation Note If a winch is to be used to pull a vehicle it should optimally be rated to a single line pull at least twice the vehicle s weight 1 Examine the Synthetic Rope Do not use the Winch if the Synthetic Rope is frayed or has cut strands 2 Fully charge the vehicle s battery 3 Check the Winch s electrical connections A...

Page 11: ... well to the side while winching Double Line Rigging a A double line system should be used whenever possible It reduces the load on the winch allowing it to work longer with less heat buildup It reduces load on the winch in two ways It utilizes the lower layers of Synthetic Rope that have higher capacity and It halves the load on the winch through pulley action b Connect the Synthetic Rope for a d...

Page 12: ...Do not use the Winch in a constant duty application it is designed for INTERMITTENT USE ONLY Keep the duration of the pulling job as short as possible If the motor becomes very hot to the touch stop and let it cool down for several minutes Do not pull for more than one minute at or near the rated load Do not maintain power to the Winch if the motor stalls Double Line Rigging will help prevent over...

Page 13: ... Examine the Synthetic Rope Do not use the Winch if the Rope is frayed or has cut strands 2 AFTER USE wipe external surfaces of the Winch with clean cloth 3 The Winch s internal mechanism is permanently lubricated Do not open the housing However if the Winch is submerged it should be opened dried and re lubricated by a qualified technician as soon as possible to prevent corrosion Synthetic Rope Re...

Page 14: ...nd repair Motor runs slowly or without normal power 1 Insufficient current or voltage 2 Loose or corroded battery cable connections 3 Incorrect power cords 1 Battery weak recharge Run Winch with vehicle motor running 2 Clean tighten or replace 3 Use only supplied power cords Motor runs in one direction only 1 Defective or stuck Solenoid 2 Defective Remote Control 1 Tap Solenoid to loosen contacts ...

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