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WINCHING SAFETY
Inspect winch rope, hook, and slings before operating winch. Frayed, kinked, or damaged winch
rope must be replaced immediately. Damaged components must be replaced before operation.
Do not engage or disengage clutch while under load.
Always ensure hook latch is closed and not supporting load.
Never apply load to hook tip or latch. Apply load only to the center of hook.
Never use a hook that has been bent, warped, or twisted.
Keep clear of fairlead when operating. Do not try to guide Rope.
Do not place any fingers through the hook. Fingers may be caught and get pulled into the
fairlead or drum. Use the included strap to hold the hook instead.
Stay out of the direct line that the Rope is pulling. If it slips or breaks, it will create a whiplash
effect. Utilize a winch dampener to help absorb the force released if the Rope breaks.
Do not use for overhead hoisting. This winch is intended to be used for pulling only.
Use a spotter to assist you with safe operation of the winch. Make sure the spotter is out of the
way of the vehicle and the Rope before activating the winch.
Do not use the hand crank, if equipped, to assist the winch.
Do not use vehicle to pull on the Rope
and “assist” the winch.
Do not use to transport people or animals.
Do not engage or disengage clutch if winch is underload, winch wire rope is in tension or drum is
moving.
Keep Rope straight to avoid kinking the Rope.
Keep children and bystanders away while operating.
Hook onto the object using a pulling point, tow strap, or chain. Do not wrap the Rope around the
object and hook onto the Rope itself.
Do not use a recovery strap while winching.
Secure the load after moving. Do not lock the mechanism.
Keep at least 5 full turns of Rope on the drum.
Keep clear of the Rope, hook, and load while winching. Do not step over the Rope or apply
pressure to the rope under tension. The Rope might break and cause personal injury.
If the Rope begins to get entangled, stop the winch immediately and release the Rope using the
switch.
Only winch with the winching vehicle’s transmission placed in neutral. Winching with a vehicle’s
transmission in gear or park may damage the transmission. A vehicle’s transmission is not
designed to handle this type of load.
Do not operate the winch on extreme slopes. Do not exceed 45°from center line of vehicle for a
fairlead. For a hawse fairlead, the angle should be as close to vehicle center line as possible.
People with pacemakers should consult their physicians before use. Electromagnetic fields near
heart pacemaker could cause pacemaker interference or failure.
Remove all obstacles before operation.
Always use supplied hook strap whenever spooling winch rope in or out, during installation, and
during operation.
Always take time to use appropriate rigging techniques for winch pull.
