The Basic Guide to

Winching Techniques
Every winching situation has the potential for personal injury. In order to minimize
that risk, it is important that you read this Basic Guide carefully, familiarize yourself
with the operation of your winch before having to use it, and be constantly safety
oriented. In this Guide, we will set forth many of the basic rules of safe winch
operation. However, because every winching situation is different, your constant
good judgment and consistent focus on safety are of great importance.

TA B L E O F CO N T E N T S :
General Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Winch basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
How the winch works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Winch accessories & enhancements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10
Before you pull. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-13
Pulling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-16
Rigging techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-18
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
The final analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

WARN INDUSTRIES OFF-ROAD PRODUCTS

12900 S.E. Capps Road
Clackamas, OR 97015-8903 USA
Customer Service: 1-800-543-WARN
Fax: 1-503-722-3000
www.warn.com

62885 Rev A2
 WA R N I N G
As you read these instructions, you will see
WARNINGS, CAUTIONS, NOTICES and NOTES.
Each message has a specific purpose. WARNINGS are
safety messages that indicate a potentially hazardous
situation, which, if not avoided could result in serious
injury. CAUTIONS are safety messages that indicate CHEMICAL AND FIRE HAZARD
a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, Failure to observe these instructions
may result in minor or moderate injury. A CAUTION could lead to severe injury or death.
may also be used to alert against unsafe practice.
CAUTIONS and WARNINGS identify the hazard, indicate
how to avoid hazard, and advise of the probable • Always remove jewelry and wear eye
consequence of not avoiding the hazard. NOTICES protection.
are messages to avoid property damage. NOTES are • Never lean over battery while making
additional information to help you complete a connections.
procedure. PLEASE WORK SAFELY! • Always verify area when drilling is clear of
fuel lines, fuel tank, brake lines, electrical
wires, etc
• Never route electrical cables:
- Across any sharp edges.
WA R N I N G - Through or near moving parts.
- Near parts that become hot.
• Always insulate and protect all exposed
wiring and electrical terminals.
• Always install terminal boots as directed
in installation instructions.

MOVING PARTS ENTANGLEMENT

HAZARD
Failure to observe these instructions
could lead to severe injury or death.

To avoid injury to hands or fingers.

WA R N I N G
• Always keep hands clear of wire rope,
hook loop, hook and fairlead opening during
installation, operation, and when spooling
in or out.
• Always use extreme caution when handling FALLING OR CRUSHING HAZARD
hook and wire rope during spooling
operations. Failure to observe these instructions
could lead to severe injury or death.
• Always use supplied hook strap whenever
spooling wire rope in or out, during
installation or operation to avoid injury to • Never use as an overhead hoist, or to
hands or fingers. suspend a load.

• Never use to lift or move persons.

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G O P R E3 P A R E D ™
 C AU T I O N C AU T I O N C AU T I O N N OT I C E
MOVING PARTS ENTANGLEMENT MOVING PARTS ENTANGLEMENT MOVING PARTS ENTANGLEMENT AVOID WINCH AND EQUIPMENT
HAZARD HAZARD HAZARD DAMAGE
Failure to observe these instructions Failure to observe these instructions Failure to observe these instructions
could lead to minor or moderate could lead to minor or moderate could lead to minor or moderate • Always avoid continuous side pulls which can
injury. injury. injury. pile up wire rope at one end of the drum.
This can damage your wire rope or winch.
General Safety: Winching Safety: Winching Safety: • Always ensure the clutch is fully engaged or
• Always Know Your Winch: Take time to fully • Always inspect winch installation and wire • Always require operator and bystanders to disengaged.
read and understand the included Installation rope condition before operating winch. be aware of stability during winching of • Never use winch to tow other vehicles.
and Operations guide, and Basic Guide to Frayed, kinked or damaged wire rope must vehicle and/or load. Shock loads can momentarily exceed capacity
Winching Techniques, in order to understand be replaced immediately. Loose or damaged • Always keep remote control lead clear of the of wire rope and winch.
your winch and the winching operation. winch installation must be corrected drum, wire rope and rigging. Inspect for • Always use care to not damage your frame
• Never operate this winch if you are under immediately. cracks, pinches, frayed wires or loose when anchoring your vehicle during a winching
16 years of age. • Never leave remote control plugged into winch connections. Replace if damaged. operation.
• Never operate this winch when under the while free spooling, rigging, or sitting idle. • Always pass remote control through a • Never "jog" wire rope under load.
influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. • Never hook wire rope back onto itself. This window to avoid pinching lead in door, when Shock loads can momentarily exceed capacity
• Never exceed winch or wire rope rated damages the wire rope. Always use a choker using remote inside a vehicle. of wire rope and winch.
capacity. Double line using a snatch block chain, wire choker rope or tree trunk protector • Never use winch to secure a load during
to reduce winch load. on the anchor. transport.
• Always prior to winching, remove any element • Never submerge winch in water.
Installation Safety: that may interfere with safe winch operation. • Always store the remote control in a
• Always choose a mounting location that is • Always take your time when rigging for a protected, clean, dry area.
sufficiently strong to withstand the maximum winch pull.
pulling capacity of your winch.
• Always use factory approved switches,
• Always be certain the anchor you select will
withstand the load, and the strap or chain will
C AU T I O N
remote controls, accessories and installation not slip.
components. • Never engage or disengage clutch if winch is
• Always use grade 5 or better hardware, under load, wire rope is in tension or wire
never weld bolts and never use longer bolts rope drum is moving.
than those supplied from factory. • Always unspool as much wire rope as
• Always complete winch mounting and possible when rigging. Double line or pick CUT AND BURN HAZARD
attachment of hook to hook loop before distant anchor point. Failure to observe these instructions
wiring winch during installation. • Never winch with less than 5 wraps of wire could lead to minor or moderate
• Always position fairlead with WARNING label rope around the drum, the wire rope could injury.
on top. come loose from the drum.
• Always spool the wire rope onto the drum as • Always stand clear of wire rope and load To avoid injury to hands or fingers:
indicated by the drum rotation label on the during operation. • Always wear heavy leather gloves when
winch. Required for automatic brake to work • Never touch wire rope or hook while in handling a wire rope.
(if winch is so equipped) and for correct tension or under load. • Never let wire rope slip through your
installation orientation. • Never touch wire rope or hook while hands.
• Always prestretch wire rope and respool someone else is at the control switch or
under load before use. Tightly wound wire during winching operation.
To avoid injury to hands or fingers:
rope reduces chances of "binding", which is • Never touch wire rope or hook while remote
wire rope working it's way down into a loosely control is plugged into winch. • Always be aware of possible hot
wound wire rope layer, and catching or surface at winch motor, drum or wire rope
• Always stand clear of wire rope and load and
damaging itself. during or after winch use.
keep others away while winching.

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 ELECTRIC WINCH BASICS 1

So, you have your Warn winch and techniques. But before we get started,
8
you’re ready to get out on the trails: we must emphasize that the informa-
The 8274-50
! WARNING
climb a few boulders, splash a little mud, tion in this guide is general in nature.
7 2 winch has a
traverse the occasional stream. Basically, Because no two situations are alike,
Never operate different
you’re ready to explore the backcountry it would be nearly impossible to review
or install a and otherwise have a great time. them all. We can, however, provide structure. This
winch without 3 6
Well, if you’re smart enough to go you with the general principles and winch uses spur
reading or prepared with the best, you’re probably techniques. Then it is up to you to take gears for
Inset above: There is a stopper on
understanding smart enough to know that to keep the time to analyze the situation and the side of the winch body for this reduction.
the operator’s having a great time, you need to fully apply the proper technique. 6 large diameter reel. In fact, this reel Moreover, it has
is also the brake.
manual understand your winch and the Along with a little common sense, an automatic disc
winching operation. the guidelines laid out in this book 5 9 type brake on the
That’s exactly what this guide intends can help you keep off-roading fun.
body side.
to do: provide you with a basic Just remember to think through
understanding of your winch and teach each situation before you act and 4
you the basics of proper winching TREAD LIGHTLY!

To start, you should familiarize makes it possible for the winch to be

yourself with your Warn winch and each lighter and more compact.
of its components: Practice using your
6 Braking System The brake is
winch before using it on the trail.
automatically applied to the winch drum
Structural 3 1 Motor Typically the winch motor is when the winch motor is stopped and
components 8 powered by the vehicle’s battery. The there is load on the wire rope. The brake
of a planetary motor provides power to the gear prevents the winch from paying out line,
gear winch mechanism, which turns the winch drum which in turn holds the vehicle in place.
and winds the wire rope. ! CAU T I O N
7 Clutch The clutch allows the
2 Never engage
2 Winch Drum The winch drum is the operator to manually disengage the
cylinder onto which the wire rope feeds. spooling drum from the gear train, or disengage
The drum is driven by the motor and enabling the drum to rotate freely the clutch if
drive train. Its direction can be changed (known as “freespooling”). Engaging the winch is under
1 using the remote control. clutch “locks” the winch drum back onto load, wire rope
7 the gear train. is in tension, or
3 Wire Rope The wire rope’s diameter
and length are determined by the winch’s 8 Control Box Using electrical power wire rope drum
load capacity and design. Wrapped from the vehicle’s battery, the control is moving.
around the winch drum and fed through box solenoids switch power to the
the fairlead, the wire rope is looped at motor, enabling the operator to change
6 the end to accept the hook’s clevis pin. the direction of the winch drum rotation.
4 Fairlead When using the winch at 9 Remote Control The remote
an angle, the fairlead (or wire lead) acts control plugs into the winch control box,
9
5 to guide the wire rope onto the spooling allowing the operator to control the
drum. It minimizes damage to the wire winch direction, as well as stand well
rope while it goes through the winch clear of the wire rope while operating
mount or bumper. the winch.
5 Gear Train The reduction gear
converts the winch motor power into a
large pulling force. The gear train design

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 HOW THE WINCH WORKS WINCH ACCESSORIES YOU’LL WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU

Winch Mechanics Alone, the winch is not much more

Now that you’ve familiarized your- than a simple tool. But when used with
self with your Warn winch and its certain accessories and enhancements,
components, we can begin reviewing your Warn winch can become a versatile
how it works. The major advantage and productive tool. In this section, we’ll
of an electric-powered winch is that it review several of these items. Some are
can provide reliable service for inter- vital to the safe operation of your winch,
mittent utility and recreational use even while others offer added versatility and
convenience. Snatch Block Used properly, the
while the vehicle’s engine is stalled —
multi-purpose snatch block allows you to:
assuming, of course, that sufficient
(1) increase your winch’s pulling power;
battery current is available. Your winch Control Of Your Winch and (2) change your pulling direction
can operate at high current loads, and, The winch is controlled by the hand without damaging the wire rope. Proper
for this reason, the control box uses a held remote control to allow the use of the snatch block is covered in
high current control system to safely operator to stand clear while controlling “Before You Pull”.
handle the current flow. the winching process. The remote
It is important to understand that the control provides control of the forward
longer the pull, the more heat that is or reverse rotation of the spooling drum.
The winch is How the Winch Reacts to Load
controlled by Warn winches are rated by pulling
the hand held capacity. The maximum pulling capacity
occurs on the first layer of wire rope on Gloves Wire rope, through use,
remote control
the drum. As the layers increase, the will develop “barbs” which can slice
to allow the skin. It is extremely important to wear
pulling power decreases. It’s the mathe-
operator to protective gloves while operating
matics of winching. Exceeding the winch
stand clear the winch or handling the wire rope. Clevis/D-Shackles The D-Shackle is
capacity could cause the winch to fail or
during the Avoid loose fitting clothes or anything a safe means for connecting the looped
the wire rope to break. Thinking through
winching that could become entangled in the ends of cables, straps and snatch blocks.
how you intend to use your winch now,
created, just like a hot plate. Prolonged wire rope and other moving parts. The shackle’s pin is threaded to allow
process. could save you a big headache later.
winching without cooling the winch Hook Strap Use to hold the hook easy removal.
In addition, you’ll also want to make
motor will damage the motor. Also, if and keep fingers away from the fairlead
sure that your winch’s mounting system
the engine is idling during winching, as the wire rope is being spooled in.
and your vehicle’s frame can accom-
the battery may drain faster than it is Winches develop tremendous pulling
modate the rated load of your winch.
charging. So pay close attention to your forces and can easily remove fingers
So analyze your situation. Use your
voltage gauge to make sure you and limbs that are placed in pinch
judgement to calculate how much
aren’t draining your battery too low to points. Put the hook into the loop and
weight you intend to pull. Calculate the
start your vehicle. hold the strap between the thumb
gross weight and multiply by 1.5 and
and forefingers. Choker Chain Can be used to hook-
then do not exceed the rating of your
up to another vehicle or sharp objects
winch or wire rope.
for an anchor point. Chains, however, will
damage or kill trees.
Tow Hooks Secured properly
to your vehicle’s frame,
tow hooks provide an
attachment point
for wire hooks,
straps, and chains.

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 BEFORE YOU PULL
Shovels & Hand Tools Quite often Practice using your winch before you
during winching activities, you’ll find get stuck. A real situation is no time to Single line pull
Tree Trunk Protector yourself in need of some additional help. be learning how to use your winch.
Typically made of tough, high- You may want to stow equipment such Make sure new wire rope is stretched
Rigging for the Pull
quality nylon, it provides the as a shovel, an axe and a Hi-Lift jack for before it is first used. Unspool the full
The following steps describe how to
operator an attachment point for the additional assistance when needed. length of the wire rope, leaving 5 wraps
recover your vehicle with rigging a
winch rope to a wide variety of anchor Backup Parts Important backup on the drum. Apply at least 500 pounds
single line pull. Double or multiple line
points and objects, as well as protect parts to carry for backcountry travel of tension. You can do this by setting up
rigging techniques follow the same
living trees. should include an extra screw-pin an anchor point and pulling your vehicle
basic steps, but use a snatch block to
Heavy Blanket In certain shackle, snatch block, and remote control to it on a slightly inclined, flat surface
assist the process.
situations you may unit. For severe and continued winch and letting the vehicle roll.
decide to throw a use, consider including an extra wire Whether you’re recovering another Step 1: PUT ON GLOVES.
heavy blanket rope and winch hook. vehicle or pulling a stump from the
or similar Toolbox Items Items to bring along ground, knowing the proper winching
include hand wrenches, screwdrivers, techniques can help keep you and
! WARNING
pliers, and tools to change wire rope. others around you safe. And perhaps
object Booster Cables Many roadside the most important part of the winching Always use
over the emergencies stem from a dead battery. process, regardless of the situation, is supplied hook
wire rope. A heavy To prevent exhausting your electrical what you do before you pull. strap to hold
blanket, such as a source, you can install a dual battery In this section, we’ll show you the hook when
quilted mover’s blanket, can system and a battery isolator kit. Also, basic fundamentals for effective winch- spooling wire
! CAU T I O N absorb energy should the wire rope it’s wise to include battery booster ing. However, it is up to you to analyze rope in or out.
Never attach a break. Place it on the wire rope midway cables and the Warn quick-connect the situation and make the decisions
recovery strap between the winch and the anchor cable system. necessary for the proper use of your
to the winch point. Do this before the wire rope is Battery Recommendations winch. Apply your knowledge of your
hook to put under tension. Do not approach or A fully charged conventional automotive winch and the basic fundamentals
increase the
move the blanket once tension is battery with a minimum rating of 650 you’ve practiced and adjust your tech- Step 2: DISENGAGE CLUTCH. To allow
applied. Do not allow it to get pulled cold cranking amps is recommended niques to your unique situation. Some free spooling of the winch drum,
length of a
into the fairlead. If necessary to move to obtain peak performance from your keys to remember when using your rotate the clutch lever on the winch
pull. Never
or remove the blanket, slack the tension winch. Make sure all electrical connec- Warn winch: to Disengage. Freespooling conserves
attempt to on the wire rope first. tions are clean and tight. battery power.
tow a vehicle 1. Always take your time to assess
with the
your situation and plan your ! WARNING
pull carefully. Always keep
recovery strap
attached 2. Always take your time when using hands and
a winch. clothing clear
directly to the
winch hook. 3. Use the right equipment for of the wire
Never use your situation. rope, hook
“bungie” straps 4. Always wear leather gloves and and fairlead
Recovery Strap Never use a do not allow the wire rope to slide opening during
that develop
recovery strap in a winching operation. through your hands.
tremendous operation and
Because it is designed to stretch, it
and potentially 5. You and only you should handle when spooling.
stores energy and could react like a
dangerous rubber band should your rigging fail. the wire rope and operate the Step 3: FREE THE WINCH HOOK AND
amounts of Use the recovery strap to “snatch” out a remote control switch. ATTACH HOOK STRAP. Free the winch
stuck vehicle. 6. Think safety at all times. hook from its anchor point. Attach hook
force when
strap to the hook (if not attached).
stretched. 7. Practice. Practice and practice
the steps.

WA R N I N D U S T R I E S • T H E B A S I C G U I D E TO W I N C H I N G T E C H N I Q U E S WA R N I N D U S T R I E S • T H E B A S I C G U I D E TO W I N C H I N G T E C H N I Q U E S
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 How to choose an Step 10: CHECK YOUR ANCHOR. Make ! CAU T I O N
anchor point: sure all connections are secured and free
Never use
A secure anchor is critical to of debris before continuing with the
the winch as
! CAU T I O N winching operations. An anchor winching procedure.
a hoist. Never
Never attempt must be strong enough to hold while
use the winch’s
to disengage winching. Natural anchors include PULLING wire rope to
the clutch while trees, stumps, and rocks. Hook the
tow another
wire rope is cable as low as possible. If no natural As you probably have already noticed,
vehicle.
under tension. anchors are available, when there are many things to do and consider
recovering another vehicle, your before you actually begin pulling. Think
Never engage
vehicle becomes the anchor point. through what you’re doing and you can
the clutch
In this case, be sure to put the keep yourself and those around you out
while the drum Step 7: LOCK THE CLUTCH. Lock the of harm’s way.
is rotating. transmission in neutral, apply the winch drum by rotating the clutch Operating your winch properly is so
Always make hand brake and block its wheels to lever on the winch to Engage. important, in fact, you should practice
sure the clutch prevent your vehicle from moving. these techniques before having to face
is fully engaged Ideally, you’ll want an anchor the distractions and stresses of a real
or disengaged. point that will enable you to pull winching situation.
Step 4: PULL WIRE TO ANCHOR POINT. straight in the direction the vehicle
Pull out enough wire rope to reach will move. This allows the wire rope ! CAU T I O N
your anchor point. Be sure to keep a to wind tightly and evenly onto Never winch
certain amount of tension in the wire. the spooling drum. An anchor when there
! CAU T I O N It can become twisted and overwrap point as far away as possible will are less than
Never leave when slackened, leading to wire rope provide the winch with its greatest 5 wraps of
remote control damage. To prevent loosing the end, wire rope
pulling power.
hold the winch hook in the hook strap Stakes or axles, Step 8: CONNECT THE REMOTE
plugged into around the
while you work. driven in at an CONTROL. Be careful not to let the
winch while angle and tied winch drum.
remote control cord dangle in front of
free spooling, together.
the winch. If you choose to control the
rigging or Spare tire and winch from inside your vehicle, always
rim buried deep Step 11: CHECK WIRE ROPE. The wire
sitting idle. pass the remote through a window to
and the chain rope should be neatly wound around
secured through avoid pinching the cord in the door.
the spooling drum. Improper winding
the rim. Always disconnect the remote
can cause damage to the wire rope. NOTICE
control when not in use.
Buried log with Step 12: LAY SOMETHING OVER THE Always avoid
chain secured
around the log. WIRE ROPE, if you decide it is necessary, continuous
midway between the winch and the side pulls which
anchor point to absorb energy should can pile up
! CAU T I O N the wire rope snap loose. Tree limbs,
wire rope at
Step 5: SECURE TO THE ANCHOR POINT. heavy jackets, chain, back pack and
Never hook one end of the
Once you’ve established your anchor the like may be used for this purpose.
the wire rope drum. This pile
point, secure the tree trunk protector or
back onto up of wire can
choker chain around the object.
itself. This damage wire
Step 6: ATTACH THE CLEVIS/D-SHACKLE
damages the rope or winch.
AND HOOK STRAP. Attach the shackle
wire rope.
to the two ends of the strap or Step 9: PUT WIRE ROPE UNDER
chain and through the hook loop, TENSION. Using the winch switch, slowly
being careful not to over tighten wind the wire rope until no slack remains.
(tighten and back-off 1/2 turn). Once the wire rope is under tension,
stand well clear, and never step over it.

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 Step 16: SECURE VEHICLE. Once recovery Winching hand signals
of the vehicle is complete, be sure to
Establish “no
secure the vehicle’s brakes and put the In some situations, recovery could involve two people. One drives and controls the winch, while the other provides
people” zones:
Transmission in “park” (automatic) or navigation instructions and ensures the wire rope is winding properly.You and your helper must established clear
“low” gear for (manual) transmissions. and precise hand signals and review so everyone clearly understands. It should also be understood that if the driver
Release tension in the wire rope. controlling the winch cannot see both hands of the assistant, the winch should not be activated. Suggested signals:

What to look for under load

The wire rope must always spool
onto the drum as indicated by the
drum rotation decal on the winch.
As you power in, make sure the
Step 13: MAKE YOUR INTENTIONS CLEAR. wire rope winds evenly and tightly
Be sure that everyone in the immediate on the drum. This prevents the
vicinity surrounding the winching outer wire wraps from drawing
operation is completely aware of your into the inner wraps, binding and
intentions before you pull. damaging the wire rope.
Declare where the spectators should Avoid shock loads by using the
not stand — never behind or in front of
NOTICE control switch intermittently to
the vehicle and never near the wire rope
Avoid over- take up wire rope slack. Shock
or snatch block. Your situation may have
heating the other “no people” zones. loads can momentarily far exceed
winch motor. the winch and wire rope ratings.
For extended During side pulls the wire rope
tends to stack up at one end of the 1) Direction of steering 2) Power in the wire rope 3) Power out the wire rope 4) Pulse wind the wire rope
winching, stop Hold your arms out with Hold your forefinger in Hold your forefinger pointing Tells the driver to wind the winch
at reasonable drum. This stack can become large thumbs up and tilt your the air above your shoulder down and draw circles in in short, quick bursts. Open and
intervals to enough to cause serious damage hands in the direction you height and draw small the air at about waist height close the two fingertips until you
advise the driver to steer. circles in the air to indicate to indicate feeding more wire want the winch to stop.
allow the to the winch. So, line up pulls as to wind the winch. from the winch.
winch motor straight ahead as possible and stop
to cool down. Step 14: BEGIN WINCHING. With winching if the wire rope comes
the winching vehicle’s engine on and close to the tie rods or mounting
light tension already on the wire rope, plate. To fix an uneven stack, spool
begin winching slowly and steadily. out that section of the rope and
Be sure that the wire rope is winding
reposition it to the opposite end of
evenly and tightly around the spooling
the drum which will free up space
drum. For additional assistance, the
winched vehicle can be slowly driven for continued winching.
while being pulled by the winch.
Step 15: FOR VEHICLE RECOVERY,
continue pulling until the vehicle is on
stable ground. If you are able to drive the
vehicle, the winching operation is
complete.

5) Stop the winch 6) Braking 7) Drive assist

Clinch fist, palm to driver, held high enough Cross your palms together to tell Tells driver to give the tires more drive
for driver to see and other arm straight out at the driver to apply the foot brake. force to assist the winching process.
shoulder height is the sign to stop the winch.

WA R N I N D U S T R I E S • T H E B A S I C G U I D E TO W I N C H I N G T E C H N I Q U E S WA R N I N D U S T R I E S • T H E B A S I C G U I D E TO W I N C H I N G T E C H N I Q U E S
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 RIGGING TECHNIQUES
Various winching situations
will require application of
other winching techniques.
These could range from too
How to spool under no load little distance to achieve
Arrange the remote control lead maximum pull using
so it can not be caught in the winch. straight line rigging, simply
Arrange the wire rope so it will not increasing pulling power, or
kink or tangle when spooled. Be sure maintaining a straight-line
any wire rope already on the spooling pulling situation. You will
drum is wound tightly and evenly have to assess what technique
layered.Tighten and straighten the is correct for your situation.
layer if necessary. Keep the wire rope Think “safety” at all times.
! WARNING under light tension and spool the
Always keep wire rope back onto the winch drum
hands and in even layers. Stop frequently to
clothing clear tighten and straighten the layers as
of the wire necessary. Repeat this process until
rope, hook the winch hook is the same distance
as the full length of the remote Step 18: REWIND WIRE ROPE. The
and fairlead How to change the vehicle, will enable you to change your
control from the winch. Pinch the person handling the wire rope should
opening pulling direction pulling direction while still allowing the
hook between your thumb and walk the rope in and not let it slide
during opera- All winching operations should wire rope to be at 90º to wind properly
forefinger and attach the hook strap. through the hand and control the
have a straight line from the onto the spooling drum.
tion and when Hold the hook strap between the winch at all times.
winch to the object being
spooling. thumb and forefinger to keep tension pulled.This minimizes the
on the wire rope. Walk the wire rope wire rope collecting on one Increasing pulling power
towards the fairlead, carefully side of the drum affecting In some cases, you may find yourself
spooling in the remaining wire rope pulling efficiency and needing more pulling power. The use
by pulsing the remote control switch. damaging wire rope. A of snatch blocks increases mechanical
Store the hook at the fairlead or snatch block, secured to a advantage and that increases your
tensioned to a suitable location to point directly in front of the pulling power:
the side.
If you do not have the hook strap,
use a length of cord or something
similar. To prevent serious injury,
Single line
NEVER put your fingers inside the
hook area as you are powering in. Step 19: DISCONNECT REMOTE
CONTROL. Disconnect the remote
control cord from the control box and
store in a clean and dry place. Winching
operations are now complete. Put the
cap on the solenoid plug in. Double line

Triple line

Step 17: DISCONNECT WIRE ROPE.

Disconnect from the anchor.

WA R N I N D U S T R I E S • T H E B A S I C G U I D E TO W I N C H I N G T E C H N I Q U E S WA R N I N D U S T R I E S • T H E B A S I C G U I D E TO W I N C H I N G T E C H N I Q U E S
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Double line Triple Line MAINTENANCE THE FINAL ANALYSIS
Because pulling power decreases Use the same techniques as the
with the number of layers of wire rope Double Line. Select a robust mounting • Inspect the wire rope before and after The basic guide to proper winching
on the winch drum, you can use a location on your vehicle for the snatch each winching operation. If the wire techniques cannot cover all the possible
snatch block to double line out more block and the screw-pin shackle. Keep rope has become kinked or frayed, situations in which you may need to
wire rope. This decreases the number a 90º angle between the winch and run the wire rope needs to be replaced. use a winch. In the final analysis, the
of layers of wire rope on the drum, the wire rope to the first anchor-point Be sure to also inspect the winch decisions you make will determine the
and increases pulling power. and through the snatch block. Secure hook and hook pin for signs of wear final outcome. So think through each
Start by feeding out enough wire rope back to the vehicle. Put the wire or damage. Replace if necessary. situation and each step of use. Always
rope to free the winch hook. Attach rope through the snatch block and be mindful of your own safety and
• Keep winch, wire rope, and switch
the hook to your vehicle’s frame/tow secure with the screw-pin shackle on the safety of others. Pay attention and
control free from contaminants. Use
hook and run the wire rope through the vehicle as close to the winch as you’ll have fun.
a clean rag or towel to remove any
a snatch block. practical. Now run the wire rope to the
dirt and debris. If necessary, unwind
final anchor point
winch completely (leaving a mini-
Secure to the anchor point with a tree
mum of 5 wraps on spooling drum),
trunk protector or choker chain. Attach
wipe clean, and rewind properly
the clevis/shackle. Attach the shackle to
before storage. Using a light oil on
the two ends of the strap/chain, being
the wire rope and winch hook can
keep rust and corrosion from forming.
• Operating your winch for a long
period of time places an extra burden
on your vehicle’s battery. Be sure to
check and maintain your battery and
battery cables according to manu-
facturer guidelines. Also inspect switch
control and all electrical connections
to be certain they are clean and
tight fitting.
careful not to over tighten (tighten and
• Inspect the remote control for
back-off 1/2 turn).
damage, if so equipped. Be sure to
Secure the winch hook. While keeping
cap the remote socket to prevent
the line near the ground, insert the winch
dirt and debris from entering the
hook through the screw-pin shackle.
connections. Store remote control
Check your anchor. Make sure all connec-
in a protected, clean, dry area.
tions are secured and free of debris before
Disengage the clutch and, using • No lubrication is required for the
continuing with the winching procedure.
the snatch block, pull out enough wire life of the winch.
to reach your anchor point. Do not
attach hook to mounting kit.
Secure to the anchor point with a tree
trunk protector or choker chain. Attach
the clevis/shackle. Attach the shackle to
the two ends of the strap/chain, being
careful not to over tighten (tighten and
back-off 1/2 turn).

WA R N I N D U S T R I E S • T H E B A S I C G U I D E TO W I N C H I N G T E C H N I Q U E S WA R N I N D U S T R I E S • T H E B A S I C G U I D E TO W I N C H I N G T E C H N I Q U E S
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