7
Before you pull
Time spent on preparation before you start pulling is time well spent. Thought must be given to the winch
process to ensure you keep yourself and those around you safe and out of harms way. Ensure you are
familiar with the equipment.
All equipment should be inspected to ensure that’s it’s in good condition, gloves should be worn to protect
hands against stray wires in the winch rope. Care must be taken to ensure that the battery has enough
capacity to complete the winching process.
Before you start, inspect the winching area. Is an anchor required? If so is a suitable anchor point available
or do you require a ground anchor? If using a tree do you have a suitable tree trunk protector? Is a pulley
block required and if more than one person is present decide who is in charge?
If a banksman is required, decide on a system of hand signals if shouted instructions cannot be heard, over
the noise of the engine for instance. If the freespool device has been disengaged to attach the load ensure
that it is fully re-engaged before starting to winch.
Warning:- Any onlookers must be in a safe place and at a safe distance.
Pulling
When the wire rope is connected to the load take up the slack by inching (running the winch slowly in short
bursts). Get to know the sound of your winch this will help you to tell by ear if the winch is being
overloaded.
If you fear that the winch is being overloaded stop! Have another look, can you reposition the winch
carrier, can you utilise a pulley block to help relieve the load on the winch.
If the load is too heavy or you need to pull from a different direction a pulley block will assist and increase
winch effort by around 80%.
Warning:- Never use a winch rope to tow another vehicle!
If possible, winch with the vehicle engine running to ensure full power to the winch and prevent possible
starting failure. With light tension on the rope to start begin to winch slowly and steadily. Be sure that the
wire rope winds evenly and tightly around the drum. Stop and pay out the rope before repeating the
process if necessary.
Warning:- Avoid overheating the winch motor. For extended periods of winching, stop at reasonable
intervals and allow the motor to cool.
