Learning how to properly use your winch will make sure it will always work when you need it most. Follow these basics to properly use your winch to guarantee it will be there when you need it.

In this article we will cover:

• Winch Components
• Before pulling cable
• Pulling cable
• Rewind winch
• Accessories

Winch Components

Learning what each component does and how they work together is the first step to understanding how to properly operate your winch.

• Motor
  • Typically the winch motor is powered by the vehicle’s battery. The motor provides power to the gear mechanism, which turns the winch drum and winds the winch rope.
• Winch Drum
  • The cylinder onto which the winch rope feeds. The drum is driven by the motor and drive train. Its direction can be changed by using the remote control
• Winch Rope
  • Winch rope's diameter and length are determined by the winch's load capacity and design. Wrapped around the winch drum and fed through the fairlead, the winch rope is looped at the end to accept the hook to tow from.
• Fairlead
  • When using the winch at an angle, the fairlead acts to guide the winch rope onto the spooling drum. It minimizes damage to the winch rope while it goes through the winch mount or bumper.
• Gear Train
  • The reduction gear converts the winch motor power into a pulling force. The gear train design makes it possible for the winch to be lighter and more compact.
• Breaking System
  • The break is automatically applied to the winch drum when the winch motor is stopped and there is load on the winch rope. The break prevents the winch from paying out extra line, which in turn holds the vehicle in place.
• Clutch
  • The clutch allows the operator to disengage the drum from the gear train, allowing the drum to rotate freely ("free spooling") Engaging the clutch "locks" the winch drum back onto the gear train for the winch process.
• Control Pack
  • Using electrical power from the vehicle's battery, the control box solenoids switch power to the motor, enabling the operator to change the direction of the winch drum rotation.
• Remote Control
  • The remote control allows the operator to control the winch direction, as well as stand clear of the winch rope while operating the winch.

Before pulling cable

Whether you’re recovering another vehicle or
pulling yourself from being stuck, knowing the
proper winching techniques can help keep you
and others around you safe.

• PUT ON GLOVES
• Disengage clutch (allows free spooling of drum to walk out cable)
• Pull winch rope to anchor point
• Secure anchor point
  • If anchoring to a tree, use a tree saver to not damage or kill tree
• Attach Shackle to tree saver, attach to winch hook
• Lock the clutch
  • This will lock the winch drum and prepare it for use

Pulling Cable

• With the remote start winding winch line until no slack remains
  • Once winch line is tight:
    • Stand clear
    • never step over winch line
• Check your anchor
  • make sure anchor is secure
  • free of any debris
• Check winch rope
  • rope should be neatly wound around the spooling drum
  • Improper winding can cause damage to the winch rope
• Lay Winch Cable damper over cable
  • Midway between your anchor point and winch lay an damper to adsorb the energy of the winch line should the line or snap

• Begin winching.  
  • With the winching vehicle’s engine on and light tension already on the winch rope, begin winching slowly and steadily. Be sure that the winch rope is winding evenly and tightly around the spooling drum. For additional assistance, the winched vehicle can be slowly driven while being pulled by the winch.
• Vehicle recovery: continue pulling until the vehicle is on stable ground. If you are able to drive the vehicle, the winching operation is complete.

Rewind Winch Cable

• Once recovery of the vehicle is complete, be sure to secure the vehicle’s brakes and put the Transmission in “park” (automatic) or “low” gear for (manual) transmissions. Release tension in the winch rope.
• Disconnect  winch rope from the anchor/ vehicle being recovered
• Rewind winch rope.
  • The person handling the winch rope should walk the rope in and not let it slide through the hand and control the winch at all times.
• Disconnect remote control. Winch operations are now complete

Accessories

Use a Tree Saver along with a clevis/D-shackle to secure the winch wire rope to a wide variety of anchor points and objects. This strap is designed to help protect a live tree from the kind of damage a chocker chain or wire rope might cause.

A Snatch Block is a the multi-purpose tool that allows you to:

• Increase your winch’s pulling power
• change your pulling direction without damaging the winch rope

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