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General Safety Warnings & Cautions
Your KAC1500 Winch is a very powerful machine. Treat with respect. Use it with caution and always
follow these safety guidelines.
The wire rope may break before the winch stalls. For heavy loads,
use a pulley block (KTA15120) to reduce the load on the wire rope.
1. The KAC1500 winch is rated at 1,500 pounds (680) kg) (single line) capacity on the wire rope layer
closest to the drum. DO NOT OVERLOAD. DO NOT ATTEMPT PROLONGED PULLS AT HEAVY
LOADS. Do not maintain power to the winch if the motor stalls. Overloads can damage the winch
and/or the wire rope and create unsafe operating conditions. FOR LOADS OVER 850 POUNDS
(364 KG), WE RECOMMEND THE USE OF THE OPTIONAL PULLEY BLOCK (KTA15120) TO
DOUBLE LINE THE WIRE ROPE (Figure 2). This reduces the load on the winch, lowers the amp
draw and the strain on the wire rope by approximately 50%. Do not hook back to winch. Always
hook onto structure capable of supporting load.
2. AFTER READING AND UNDERSTANDING
THIS MANUAL, LEARN TO USE YOUR
WINCH. After installing the winch, practice
using it so you will be familiar with it when
the need arises.
3. KEEP WINCHING AREA CLEAR. Do not allow
people to remain in the area during winching operations.
ALWAYS STAND CLEAR OF WIRE ROPE, HOOK
AND WINCH. IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT OF ANY
COMPONENT FAILURE IT IS BEST TO BE OUT OF
HARMS WAY.
4. INSPECT WIRE ROPE AND EQUIPMENT
FREQUENTLY. A FRAYED WIRE ROPE WITH
BROKEN STRANDS SHOULD BE REPLACED
IMMEDIATELY. Periodically check the winch installation
to ensure that all bolts are tight.
5. USE HEAVY LEATHER GLOVES when handling wire ropes. DO NOT LET WIRE ROPE SLIDE
THROUGH YOUR HANDS EVEN WHEN WEARING GLOVES.
6. NEVER WINCH WITH LESS THAN 5 TURNS of wire rope AROUND THE WINCH DRUM
since the wire rope end fastener will NOT withstand a load. ALWAYS USE THE HANDSAVER
when guiding the wire rope in or out. (see Figure 3).
Figure 3
Figure 2
7. KEEP CLEAR OF WINCH, TAUT WIRE ROPE AND HOOK WHEN
OPERATING WINCH. Never put your finger through the hook. If
your finger should become trapped in the hook you could lose your
finger. NEVER GUIDE A WIRE ROPE ONTO THE DRUM WITH
YOUR HAND.
8. NEVER HOOK THE WIRE ROPE BACK ONTO ITSELF because you could damage the wire rope.
Use a nylon strap.
9. NEVER USE YOUR WINCH FOR HOISTING APPLICATIONS, LIFTING OR MOVING PEOPLE.
10. Your winch is not designed or intended for overhead hoisting operations.
11. AVOID CONTINUOUS PULLS FROM EXTREME ANGLES as this will cause the wire rope to pile up
at one end of the drum. This can jam the wire rope in the winch, causing damage to the rope or the
winch.
12. NEVER OBSCURE THE WARNING INSTRUCTION LABELS.
13. Always operate winch with an unobstructed view of the winching operation.
THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED FOR LIFTING/HOISTING
General Safety Warnings & Cautions (Continued)
THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED FOR LIFTING/HOISTING
14. Equipment such as tackle, hooks, pulley blocks, straps, etc. should be sized to the winching task
and should be periodically inspected for damage that could reduce their strength.
15. DO NOT OPERATE WINCH WHEN UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS, ALCOHOL OR
MEDICATION.
16. When moving a load, slowly take up the wire rope slack until it becomes taut. Stop, recheck all
winching connections. Be sure the hook is properly seated. If a nylon strap is used, check the
attachment to the load.
17. DO NOT USE THE WINCH TO HOLD LOADS IN PLACE. Use other means of securing
loads such as tie down straps. Keeper winch offers a wide variety of tie downs. Contact
your local Keeper Winch dealers.
18. USE ONLY FACTORY APPROVED SWITCHES, REMOTE CONTROLS AND ACCESSORIES. Use
of non-factory approved components may cause injury or property damage and could void your
warranty.
19. DO NOT MACHINE OR WELD ANY PART OF THE WINCH. Such alterations may weaken the
structural integrity of the winch and could void your warranty.
20. Never allow shock loads to be applied to the winch or wire rope.
21. Use caution when pulling or lowering a load up and down a ramp and incline. Keep people, pets
and property clear of the path of the load.
22. BE SURE the power supply is disconnected before performing maintenance or repair procedures.
