If necessary, use the snatch block to halve the current draw on the battery, as this will help enormously if it is a long pull. Some people believe that by using the snatch block the recovery takes twice as long. Not so. As the pulley block halves the load and halves the current draw, the winch motor runs in a more relaxed state which allows the drum to turn faster. In fact you can sense when the winch is working well.

Talking of senses, you must at all times use not only your common sense, but your eyes and ears as well.

Use your eyes to look for danger. Is the wire rope being pulled on neatly? Is the drum moving too slowly, suggesting it's near stalling? Is the pulley of the snatch block revolving? Do you spot some damage on the wire? Did that shackle become twisted as the strain came up? Is your winch vehicle moving forward? Is the tree acting as ground anchor beginning to fall over? The list is endless.

Use also your ears. Remember the gearing principle of the winch. For every layer of wire rope that builds up on the drum you lose about 10 per cent of pulling capacity. You are therefore likely to hear a change in tone of the noise the electric winch motor makes each time the wire rope starts climbing onto the next layer. Is the winch motor sounding as if it is about to stall? If the wire rope is very taut you will hear a 'pinging' in it. That noise is dust being forced out of the strands. And that means danger as well!

If winching a long distance using an extension wire rope, as you re-rig after retrieving your load you can use the snatch block to halve the length of the extension. Remember too that by using the pulley block on a shorter pull, its use enables you to start winching off the bare drum to give maximum pull to get the load 'moving'. Back to the snatch block: never use a three-strand rope between it and the load or anchor. If you do, the strain will twist the pulley so the wire rope snags itself as the lay of the three-strand rope unwinds itself.

Happy - and safe - winching

Index [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

(c)Goodwinch Limited 2006