HERCULES 50K
5
Winch Operation 3
The best way to get acquainted with how your winch operates is to make test runs before you use
it. Plan your test in advance. Remember, you hear your winch, as well as see it operate. Learn to
recognize the sounds of a light steady pull, a heavy pull, and sounds caused by load jerking or
shifting. Gain confidence in operating your winch and its use will become second nature with you.
The uneven spooling of cable, while pulling a load, is not a problem, unless there is a cable pileup
on one end of drum. If this happens, reverse the winch to relieve the load and move your anchor
point further to the center of the vehicle. After the job is done you can unspool and rewind for a
neat lay of the cable.
CLUTCH OPERATION
To engage clutch:
1. Move the clutch control valve to the “clutch engaged” position.
2. Anytime the temperature is below freezing, run the motor in the “cable out” direction only until
the drum starts to turn. In extreme cold temperatures (below 0° F/-18° C), pull out on the cable
by hand only until the drum starts to turn.
3. Wait at least 3 seconds for the clutch to fully engage, after which the winch is ready to winch in
the cable.
Do not attempt to engage the clutch by first running the winch motor and
then moving the clutch control valve to the “clutch-engaged” position while
the motor is running. Do not start picking up the load at the same time the
clutch is being engaged.
To disengage clutch:
Run the winch in the “cable out” direction until the load is off the cable.
4. Move the clutch control valve to the “clutch-disengaged” position.
5. The cable may now be pulled off by hand.
CABLE INSTALLATION
1. This winch has a cable anchor located at each end of the drum which
allows cable installation on either end.
2. Unwind cable by rolling it out along the ground to prevent kinking.
Securely wrap end of wire rope opposite hook, with plastic or similar
tape to prevent fraying.
3. Insert the end of cable, opposite hook end, into the hole in drum
barrel. Secure cable to drum barrel, using setscrew furnished with
winch.
TIGHTEN SETSCREW SECURELY.
4. Carefully run the winch in the “reel-in” direction. Keeping tension on
end of cable, spool all the cable onto the cable drum, taking care to
form neatly wrapped layers.
SYNTHETIC ROPE
The roller tensioner must be removed to use synthetic rope.
1. Use only 12 strand (HMPE) high modulus polyurethane fiber coated synthetic rope, commonly
known as Dyneema (MBS 58,000 lbs.). Maximum Winch capacity is 250 ft. of 3/4” rope.
2. Install and anchor synthetic rope as shown below.
WARNING
NOTICE
