Try at first to pull the stuck vehicle out of the mire without it driving as you are more likely to lift it out on to the top. Be prepared to jack their vehicle up to break suction if it is that bogged down.

Points to Remember

When carrying out a recovery, never stand yourself, or allow anyone else, next to a wire rope under strain and, just as importantly, don't even think of walking over a winch rope.

We know that it is important not to allow wire rope to bunch up to one side of the drum. When it becomes necessary, stop winching, slacken off some rope, pull off the tangled mess and take up the slack again at the same time as re-layering the drum. If necessary, reposition your winch vehicle so that you are square on to your load again, or use a snatch block to change direction.

Having pulled the stuck vehicle out of the mire and tidied up your winch drum, don't be tempted to switch off your engine. You must leave the engine idling to allow the alternator to recharge the battery, especially if you have just completed a heavy pull.

You can also very successfully recover others in front of you, forward, as well as those behind you, towards you. This is done in the first instance by running your wire rope past the side of the stuck vehicle in front to a snatch block ahead with the wire rope hook back to the front of the other vehicle.

In the second instance you can easily run your rope to a convenient snatch block allowing the rope to come back alongside you to pull the stuck vehicle up behind

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(c)Goodwinch Limited 2006