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5.5 GENERAL RULES ON WINCH OPERATIONS
5.5.1 Winch system operation
The Winch is mounted at the rear of the first section boom.It has capacities totally indipendent of the rest of
the crane and can normally pull more than the crane itself can withstand.Therefore,care must be taken to
insure that the load being lifted is within boom rating.To lift some of the heavier loads on the capacity chart,it
will be necessary to multiple-part reeve the winch block to increase the lifting capacity of the winch (the
speed is proportionately slower) and remain in the strenght limitations of the winch and wire rope.
The winch load rating chart on each machine provides the information for pull limitations on the winch with
various applicable part reevings.These ratings are based on providing the proper operating safety factor on
the wire rope supplied with the machine.
Therefore,any replacement rope must meet the rope specifications for size,construction and stregth as
outlined in specification sections of this manual.
5.5.2Operator safety tips
• Do not pull the load block into the boom tip.
• Payout loadline before or during boom extension to avoid two-blocking.
• Do not allow personnel to ride the load-line, hook or load, or any other device attached to loadline.
• Keep at least three full wraps of wire rope on the winch drum at all times.
• Check the winch brake for proper operation before handling the load.
• Use proper multi-part reeving for the load to be lifted.
• When using multi-part reeving, be sure cable is properly routed.
• Know the lifting capacity of both the winch and boom. They will have different capacities. The weight of
the load must not ex-ceed the lesser capacity.
• Do not drag loads with winch or boom.
• Always wind loadline.under tension to assist proper spooling
5.5.3General rules when operating winch
1 - Always operate the winch control to payout the loadline while extending the boom. This will maintain
clearance between the boom tip and loading hook.
2 - Do not pull load block into boom tip.
3 - Make certain the winch cable is not twisted or kinked and that cable is properly seated on the drum
and in the sheaves.
4 - Before lifting a load, always make certain that three full wraps of rope will remain on the drum at all
times throughout the lift.
5 - When lifting a load approaching the rated winch load, raise the load a few inches and return the
control to neutral to determine if the brake is working properly.
6 - Do not drag loads in any direction with the winch.
7 - Never attempt to lift loads wich are not loose and free, i.e. frozen down material or poles out of
ground.
8 - Maintain tension on the loadline at all times to prevent the cable from becoming twisted or improperly
seated on the winch drum or sheaves.
9 - Avoid rough boom lifting and lowering manoeuvres with suspended load, in order not to cause dan-
gerous swingings of the same.
10- Avoid boom extension manoeuvre under load. When moving loads near to max. rates it is rather
advisable to extend the boom without load in order to reach the vertical line of the same, and then to
proceed with lifting by using the winch.
