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ProMark Offroad Blog

Recovery Winch Operation and Safety Tips

Written By: Esther
March 16th, 2012 | Filed under Offroad Recovery, Winching Techniques | No Comments »Tags: , , ,
Jeep recovery winch

Jeep recovery winch

Even experienced winch users need to be reminded of the basics sometimes. Your safety and the safety of those around you is the most important consideration in the winching process. See below for tips on operating and using your recovery winch safely.

1. Dress for the Job.

  • Don’t wear loose clothing or jewelry. They can get caught in moving parts.
  • Wear leather gloves when handling winch cable. Don’t handle cable with your bare hands! Loose wires, barbs, and extreme temperatures can cause burns or injuries.
  • Wear sturdy, non-skid footwear.
  • Keep long hair pulled back, and keep long beards out of the way.

2. Keep Your Distance.

  • Make sure everyone in the area is standing well clear of the winch cable and load during the recovery process. We recommend a distance of at least 1.5 times the cable length. If the cable pulls loose or breaks under load, it can lash back and cause serious personal injury or death.
  • Don’t step over the winch cable.
  • Watch your footing and keep your balance at all times.

3. Don’t Abuse the Winch.

  • If the motor gets uncomfortably hot to the touch, stop winching and let the motor cool down for a few minutes. Electric winches are designed for intermittent use.
  • Shut off power to the winch if the motor stalls.
  • Stay within the maximum line pull ratings for your electric winch. Shock loads should not exceed these ratings either.

4. Avoid Unintentional Starting.

  • Disengage the winch clutch when not in use.
  • Make sure the clutch is in the fully engaged position before use.

5. Repair Damaged Parts.

  • Before using your winch, you should inspect the winch and cable carefully for any damage.
  • Repair or replace damaged parts before using your winch. Contact the manufacturer or an authorized service center for repairs.
  • Use only identical replacement parts when repairing your recovery winch.

6. Respool the Cable.

  • Wear leather gloves when respooling the winch cable. To respool correctly, you need to keep a slight load on the cable. Hold the winch cable with one hand and the remote control switch with the other. Start as far back and in the center as you can. Walk towards the winch, keeping load on the cable as the winch is powered in.
  • Don’t let the cable slide through your hand, and be careful not to approach the winch too closely.
  • When your hand gets within a few feet of the winch, turn off the power using the remote and repeat the process, grabbing the cable again as far back and in the center as you can.
  • Keep spooling in the cable until only 3 feet of cable remains in your hand.
  • Disconnect the winch remote (or shut off the wireless remote) and finish spooling in the cable by rotating the drum by hand with the clutch disengaged.
  • On hidden winches, spool in the winch cable under power, but keep your hands clear.

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Tools That Should Be in Your ATV Winch Kit

Written By: Esther
February 10th, 2012 | Filed under ATV Accessories, Offroad Recovery | No Comments »Tags: , , , , ,
ATV winch kit

Keep these tools in your ATV winch kit just in case.

Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst. If you’re lucky, you won’t need to use your ATV winch kit. But if Murphy has his way, you’d better throw these tools in your recovery winch kit just in case.

  1. Tree trunk protector – A tree strap is made with tough nylon with a loop on each end so you can wrap it around an anchor point and secure the winch rope to it with a D-shackle. Although you can use a chain to connect to the anchor point, if you’re hooking up to a live tree, you should only use a tree strap. Chains can kill trees.

  2. Gloves – Since the barbs in a wire rope can slice into your hands, we recommend keeping a pair of thick, heavy duty leather gloves in your winch kit. Use the gloves every time you handle winch cable.

  3. Hook strap – Always use a hook strap to spool out cable. Never grab the winch hook itself. This keeps your hands free and clear of the winch and cable and prevents you from accidentally getting your fingers caught in the winch.

  4. Snatch block – Need more winch cable out? Can’t find an anchor point straight on? That’s where a snatch block comes in handy. You can rig up a double line pull for more winch power or redirect an angle pull to spool the cable directly into the winch.

  5. Shackles – A D-shackle (or clevis) connects your tree strap / chain to the winch hook. For safety, make sure the clevis is rated to the capacity of the pull.

  6. Choker chain – Use choker chain to hook up to a sharp object (such as a rock) or another vehicle as an anchor point. Chains can kill or damage live trees, however, so use a tree strap if your anchor point is a tree.

  7. Booster cables – If your battery dies while winching, you’ll need a set of booster cables to charge it back up. Booster cables also come in handy for roadside emergencies and helping out stranded motorists.

  8. Toolbox – Bring along any tools you might need for minor repairs on the fly: wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, and other tools.

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Recovery Winch Ropes: Synthetic or Steel Cable?

Written By: Esther
February 6th, 2012 | Filed under Offroad Recovery, Synthetic Winch Rope | No Comments »Tags: , , , ,
Recovery winch with synthetic rope

Synthetic rope is safer than steel cable.

When recovery winches first came out on the market, they all came with steel winch cable. Now there’s a new kid on the block: synthetic winch rope. While some offroaders are skeptical of the long-term durability of synthetic rope, others have made the switch and say they’re never going back.

Winch Rope Safety

What’s so special about synthetic winch rope? The biggest advantage, according to most offroaders, is safety. While steel winch cable can snap back violently if it breaks, synthetic rope is lighter and stores less kinetic energy, which means that it doesn’t go very far if it snaps.

We’ve all heard stories about steel cable shattering windshields or causing serious injuries. No one wants that to happen when they’re out for a trail ride…especially if the kids are along. Synthetic winch rope makes recovery operations safer.

Advantages of Synthetic Rope

Besides safety, there are other reasons you might choose synthetic rope over steel cable. Synthetic winch rope is lightweight (less weight hanging off the front of your Jeep), flexible, floats in water, and is easier on your hands—no barbs, no freezing, and no burning.

What About Steel Cable?

Is steel cable ever preferred over synthetic? Yes, if you mainly use your recovery winch for utility tasks like yard work, landscaping, and farm chores. Wire cable holds up better under abrasive conditions.

Synthetic Rope Care

Synthetic winch rope is more expensive than steel cable and requires more care. The synthetic fibers should be protected from the sun (excessive UV exposure can break down the fibers), and you should never leave the rope muddy or wet when spooled on the drum.

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Winch Pulling Power and Snatch Blocks

Written By: Esther
January 12th, 2012 | Filed under Offroad Recovery, Winching Techniques | 2 Comments »Tags: , ,
Snatch block

Use a snatch block to double your winch's pulling power.

Want to know how you can increase the pulling power of your ATV or truck winch? Meet the snatch block. This little powerhouse can almost double the rated load capacity of your winch, without even breaking a sweat.

What Is a Snatch Block?

A snatch block is basically a pulley with a metal casing designed to give you more flexibility in winching—whether you need to redirect a pull or get more power and reduce the strain on your winch. It’s compact enough to easily store inside your vehicle.

How Do I Use a Snatch Block?

To use a snatch block, spool out a few feet of cable, thread the winch cable through the pulley, and attach the hook to a recovery point on your vehicle. The winch line should travel through the block on the pulley and back to the vehicle.

Then grab hold of the snatch block and walk the cable and pulley out to your anchor point. Wrap a tree strap or chain around your anchor point and attach the snatch block to the strap/chain with a D-shackle.

Safety Tips

Make sure the recovery point on your vehicle is rated high enough to handle the full force of the pull. Your winch’s line speed will be slower with a double line pull, but the stress on your winch will be reduced and the power will be greater—both because of the snatch block and because you have more winch line out.

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Posted in Offroad Recovery, Winching Techniques | 2 Comments »

Tips for Using a Recovery Winch Rope

Written By: Esther
December 28th, 2011 | Filed under Offroad Recovery, Synthetic Winch Rope, Winching Techniques | No Comments »Tags: , , , , ,
Winch rope

The winch rope should spool in tight, even rows onto the drum.

1. Don’t spool out all of the cable.

Always keep at least 5 wraps on the drum. Leaving a few wraps on the drum helps anchor the winch cable in place. The rope attachment to the drum is not designed to hold a load by itself.

Expert Tip: If your cable is too short, choose a closer anchor point, use a longer tree strap or chain, or hook up a cable extension.

2. Avoid continuous side pulls.

They place a strain on your recovery winch and allow the rope to pile up on one end of the drum. If the rope gets pinched in the winch housing, your rope or winch could be damaged.

Expert Tip: As much as possible, rig up the pull in a direct line from the stuck vehicle. Use a pulley block to redirect the pull if needed.

3. Avoid shock loads.

Use the winch remote to take up any slack in the rope. The rope should be under tension before beginning the winching process. Shock loads can momentarily exceed the winch rating, which is dangerous for your equipment and for any bystanders.

Expert Tip: Pulse the winch remote intermittently to wind the rope until no slack remains.

4. Watch how the winch rope spools onto the drum.

Don’t let it pile up on one side or get nested into the inner layers. The winch cable should spool in tight, even rows across the drum.

Expert Tip: If the cable stacks unevenly on one side of the drum, spool out the uneven section of rope and reposition it to the opposite end of the winch drum.

5. Never use a winch rope for towing or snatching another vehicle.

Use a snatch strap to free a stuck vehicle with a shock load, and use a tow rope to tow another vehicle at a slow, steady pace. A winch rope is also not meant to hold a load in place.

Expert Tip: Snatch straps are stretchy (to handle shock loads), while tow ropes do not stretch (to pull another vehicle behind you).

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Wire Winch Rope Safety

Written By: Esther
December 21st, 2011 | Filed under Offroad Recovery, Synthetic Winch Rope, Winch Maintenance | No Comments »Tags: , , , ,
Electric winch

Use the winch strap and leather gloves to spool out winch cable.

Handling wire winch rope is one of the hazards of using an electric winch. Although steel cable is rugged and durable in tough winching conditions, it can also be dangerous if handled carelessly. Here are a few tips on learning to handle wire winch rope safely.

Hand Protection

First off, protect your hands. Stray wires from the cable can tear up your skin if you’re not careful. Wear thick leather gloves any time you handle winch cable, and do not let the rope run through your hands. Grab hold of the winch saver strap to spool out cable, and use the hand-over-hand method to guide the cable back onto the spool.

Dampen the Cable

Although the chances of your winch cable breaking are low, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Dampen the winch cable by draping a heavy mover’s blanket or similar object over the rope. Place it about midway between the winch and the anchor point. Even a tree branch, heavy winter coat, or a length of chain draped over the winch cable will work in a pinch.

If the cable happens to break during the winching process, the extra weight will slow down the backlash effect. Just like a rubber band, your wire rope can snap back if broken. Besides dampening the cable, make sure bystanders are standing well out of the cable’s path. The winch operator should also be careful to stand out of the cable’s path as well. If you are operating the winch from inside your vehicle, consider raising the hood for an extra measure of protection in case the winch rope fails.

Winch Cable Replacement

Check your winch rope often for signs of damage. If your cable shows signs of deterioration beyond the usual wear and tear, replace the cable before using your winch again. For safer cable, consider switching to synthetic winch rope.

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Offroad Recovery: Anchoring the Winch

Written By: Esther
August 18th, 2011 | Filed under Offroad Recovery, Winching Techniques | No Comments »Tags: , ,
Winching out

Winching out with a Jeep recovery winch

When your vehicle gets stuck and you need to winch out, the first step is choosing an anchor point. Since where you get stuck is beyond your control (except for daredevils who deliberately try to get stuck), every situation is different. You might have the perfect anchor point in front of you, or you might be stuck in a sand pit with no trees or rocks in sight. Depending on what’s around you and who is riding with you, your anchor point might be a rock, a stump, a ground anchor, or another vehicle.

Natural Anchor

Natural anchors—rocks, trees, stumps, etc.—are one of the best choices for an anchor point. Since it doesn’t involve another vehicle, there’s less risk of damaging your friend’s rig or ATV if something goes wrong. Make sure the rock, tree, or stump is large enough to withstand the force of the recovery winch. Hook the cable as low as possible, at the thickest part of the natural anchor. Be responsible to the environment by using a tree strap instead of a chain to hook around a live tree. Also, never hook the cable around an object and back onto itself. This will weaken or damage the cable.

Anchoring to a Vehicle

When there are no natural anchors within reach, a second vehicle becomes your anchor point. If possible, position the recovery vehicle directly in line with the stuck vehicle for a straight line pull. Put the recovery vehicle in neutral, apply the hand brake, and block up the wheels to prevent the vehicle from sliding. Hook up the recovery winch, and you’re ready to go.

Deadman Anchor

As a last resort, use a ground anchor (also called a deadman anchor). You can either buy a ready-made ground anchor (such as the Pull-Pal) or bury an object such as a log, a spare tire, or stakes or axles tied together. Since a deadman anchor involves digging into the ground and since it takes more effort than your other options, it’s not your first choice. But when it’s the only way out, you do what you have to do.

Dig the hole or drive the stakes in at an angle away from the stuck vehicle. If you’re burying an object, dig a hole deep enough to completely submerge the object below ground level. Tie a chain to the object. Dig a narrow trench for the chain, and hook the winch cable to the chain.

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Vehicle Recovery Points

Written By: Esther
June 22nd, 2011 | Filed under Offroad Recovery | No Comments »Tags: ,
Jeep recovery points

An aftermarket bumper provides adequate recovery points.

When hooking up to another vehicle as an anchor point for winching, it’s important to make sure the recovery points are sufficiently rated for vehicle recovery and securely attached to the vehicle frame. Your vehicle manual should list appropriate recovery point locations and the load rating for factory recovery points.

Tie down points (for securing the vehicle to a trailer) should not be used as recovery points. If there are no good recovery points on your truck or rig, you may need to install aftermarket hooks or an aftermarket bumper with built-in D-rings or tow hook recovery points. Tow hooks must be properly secured to the vehicle’s frame and rated to the full capacity of the Jeep or truck winch.

Never wrap the cable around the bumper and hook the cable back onto itself. This can rip the bumper off, damage the cable, or both. Never attach the cable to a tow ball or other weak point. If the tow ball comes loose under load, it can fly through the air like a missile, damaging anything or anyone in its path.

Since you never know how or where you’ll get stuck, it’s best to have recovery points on both the front and rear of your vehicle. The recovery points on the front of your vehicle won’t do you any good if your front bumper is pressed up against a rock wall. With multiple recovery points on the front and rear, you can be ready for anything.

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Winch Recovery Pulling

Written By: Esther
May 26th, 2011 | Filed under Offroad Recovery, Winching Techniques | No Comments »Tags: , ,
Jeep Recovery Winch

Make sure the wire rope does not pile up on one side of the drum.

After you rig up your winch and double check the anchor point and rigging, it’s time for the pull. Here are some tips on safely recovering another vehicle.

  1. Clear the area of bystanders. Don’t let anyone stand behind or in front of the vehicle(s). Ask bystanders to stand clear of the wire rope and snatch block. When determining “no people” zones, err on the side of caution. Better safe than sorry.

  2. Communicate your actions. If you are winching with the help of others, communicate your intentions clearly. Use hand signals to communicate between the driver/winch operator and the assistant. The driver should be able to clearly see the assistant at all times.

  3. Check the wire rope. As you winch, make sure the cable doesn’t pile up on one side of the drum. If it piles up high enough, it can damage your rope or winch.

  4. Keep it slow and steady. With a certain amount of tension already in the wire rope, begin winching slowly and steadily. If needed, the vehicle being winched can be cautiously driven as the winch pulls. Continue pulling until the vehicle is on stable ground and can be driven without assistance from the recovery winch.

  5. Secure the vehicle. Put the recovered vehicle in park or low gear, and release the tension in the cable.

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Winch Recovery Rigging

Written By: Esther
May 23rd, 2011 | Filed under Offroad Recovery, Winching Techniques | No Comments »Tags: , ,
Winch Recovery Kit

Winch Recovery Kit

Knowing how to rig up for a pull is important for the protection of yourself, those around you, and your vehicle and equipment. Even if the pull is relatively light, don’t compromise your safety by rushing the recovery process or rigging up improperly. Here is a basic outline of the steps involved in rigging up your winch for recovery.

  1. Wear gloves. Before handling wire cable, dig out a pair of thick leather gloves from your winch recovery kit. They could save your hands from a few burrs, cuts, and slices.
  2. Move the clutch to the free spool position. This lets you spool out as much cable as you need for the recovery, without using up your battery power. Make sure the clutch is fully disengaged before free spooling.
  3. Grab the hook strap. If the hook strap is not attached, free the winch hook and attach the hook before free spooling. Holding on to the strap prevents your fingers from getting caught in the winch hook or fairlead opening and protects your hands from the wire rope.
  4. Spool out the cable. Make sure you spool out enough wire to power the pull. The more cable you unwind, the more power you will get from your winch. Leave at least 4-5 wraps on the drum to keep the cable from coming off the drum.
  5. Rig up to the anchor point. Use a tree strap or choker chain (depending on what your anchor point is) to secure the cable to the anchor point. Do NOT wrap the cable around the object and hook it back onto itself. Use a D-shackle to attach the cable to the two ends of the tree strap or choker chain.
  6. Engage the clutch. Rotate the clutch lever to the engage position to power in the cable.
  7. Attach the remote control, if needed. If you are using a corded remote, plug the remote into the winch. Keep the cord from getting tangled up in the cable or winch.
  8. Power in the slack. Put some tension on the rope by pulsing the remote and powering in slowly until all the slack is out of the rope. Once the rope is under tension, never step over it.
  9. Double check your anchor. Check all of your connections and equipment to make sure they are secure before starting the pull.
  10. Lay a weight over the rope. Use a moving blanket, back pack, tree limb, or other heavy object to keep the wire rope from snapping in case it breaks.

Once the area is clear of bystanders, you are ready to start winching!

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