WARN INDUSTRIES
9
FIRST TIME OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Do not leave the remote plugged into the
winch when not in use. Leaving the remote
plugged in, may result in accidental activation
and/or battery drain.
Clutch Operation:
WARNING
Never engage or disengage clutch if winch
is under load, winch rope is in tension or drum is moving.
NOTICE Always ensure the clutch is fully engaged or
disengaged when operating winch.
The clutch lever is located on the winch
housing opposite the motor and controls the
clutch position. To prevent damage, always
fully engage or fully disengage the clutch lever.
When the clutch is engaged, the gear train is
coupled to the winch drum and power can be
transferred from the winch motor.
When the clutch is disengaged the drum is
in the freespool position and the gear train and
winch rope drum are uncoupled allowing the
drum to rotate freely.
Spooling Out
WARNING
Never operate winch with less than 5
wraps of winch rope around the drum. Rope could come
loose from the drum.
WARNING
Always keep hands clear of
winch rope, hook loop, hook and fairlead
opening during installation, operation,
and when spooling in or out.
WARNING
Always wear heavy gloves when
handling winch rope.
Step 3: System Check
WARNING
Always connect red (+) power cable ONLY to
the positive (+) terminal of the battery.
WARNING
Always connect black ground (-) power cable
ONLY to the negative (-) terminal of the battery.
Perform system check:
1. Check fasteners and make sure they are
tight and to proper torque.
2. Verify all electrical wiring to all components
is correct and be certain that all connections
are tight.
3. Verify there is no exposed/bare wiring,
terminals or cable insulation damage.
4. Read The Basic Guide to Winching
Techniques completely before operating
your winch
(www.warn.com).
Once you have performed a system check,
you are ready to perform “First Time Operating
Instructions”.
Step 4: First Time Operating
Instructions
In this section, we’ll show you the first
time operating instructions for effective basic
winch ing. For complete winch operation and
techniques read the Basic Guide to Winching
Techniques found online at
www.warn.com.
WARNING
Never use winch as a hoist or
to suspend a load.
WARNING
Never use winch to lift or
move persons.
Remote Control:
WARNING
Always keep wired remote control lead
and power cord clear of the drum, rope, and rigging.
Inspect for cracks, pinches, frayed wires or loose
connections. Damaged components must be replaced
before operation.
WARNING
Never leave remote control where it can
be unintentionally activated.
WARNING
Never leave the winch remote control
plugged in when installing, freespooling, rigging,
servicing or when the winch is not being used.
The remote control provides control of
the power-out (forward) or power-in (reverse)
rotation of the spooling drum.
ENGAGED/LOCK
DISENGAGED/UNLOCK
WARN INDUSTRIES
10
FIRST TIME OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Freespooling is generally the quickest and
easiest way to spool out winch rope. Before
freespooling winch rope out from the winch
power-out enough rope to remove any tension
on the winch rope. Disengage the clutch. Then
manually spool out enough winch rope for the
winching operation. See The Basic Guide to
Winching Techniques for more information,
found online at:
www.warn.com.
NOTICE Do NOT power out more than 30ft without
allowing the winch to cool for 20 minutes before powering
rope back in. Instead, place the clutch in freespool and pull
the rope out by hand.
WARNING
Always use supplied hook
strap whenever spooling winch rope in or out.
Spooling In Under Load
WARNING
Never exceed winch or winch rope rated
capacity.
WARNING
Always know the Working Load Limit
(WLL) of your rope.
WARNING
Never exceed the WLL of rope or shock
load this rope.
Power-in the winch rope evenly and tightly on
the drum. This prevents the outer winch wraps
from sinking into the inner wraps, binding, and
damaging the winch rope.
Avoid shock loads when spooling by pulsing
the control switch to take up winch rope slack.
Shock loads can momentarily far exceed the
winch and rope ratings.
Spooling In Under No Load
WARNING
Never touch winch rope or hook while
someone else is at the control switch, when winch rope
is under load or during winching operation.
Spooling with an Assistant
: Have the assistant
hold the hook strap putting as much constant
tension on the winch rope as possible. While
keeping tension, the assistant should walk
toward the winch while you operate the control
switch spooling in the winch rope. Release the
switch when the hook is a minimum of 6 ft. (2m)
from the fairlead opening.
Spool in the remainder for storage as
directed below.
Spooling Alone
: Arrange the winch rope to
be spooled so it will not kink or tangle when
spooled. Be sure any winch rope on the drum is
tightly and evenly layered. Spool enough winch
rope to complete the next full layer on the
drum. Tighten and straighten the layer. Repeat
process until the hook is a minimum of 6 ft. (2
m) from the fairlead opening.
Spooling Remainder for Storage
When the hook is within 6 ft. (2 m) of the
fairlead, disconnect the hook from the anchor
or load. Hold onto the supplied hook strap and
hold tension on the winch rope. Slowly power-
in the winch by “pulsing” the power-in switch on
the remote control until the hook is within 3 ft.
(1 m) of the fairlead.
Stop winching in and attach the hook to a
suitable anchor point on the vehicle.
NOTICE Do not power the hook into the fairlead. This
could cause damage to the fairlead.
Once the hook is suitably attached to the
vehicle, power-in the remaining slack in the
winch rope by “pulsing” the power-in switch on
the remote control until there is minimal slack
in the winch rope.
Overloading/Overheating
WARNING
Always be aware of possible hot surfaces
at winch motor, drum or rope during or after winch use.
This winch is rated for intermittent duty.
When the motor approaches stall speed very
rapid heat buildup occurs which may cause
motor damage.
Double-line rigging (see The Basic Guide
to Winching Techniques) will reduce the
amperage draw and reduce heat buildup in the
motor. This allows longer continual use.
Load Limiter
(AXON Winches)
WARNING
Never engage or disengage clutch if
winch is under load, winch rope is in tension or drum is
moving.
WARNING
Never touch winch rope or hook while
under tension or under load.
Exceeding the AXON winch capacity
will cause the load limiter to trip, which
