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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: D-Shackles, Snatch Blocks, Tree Straps

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.

Tags: D-Shackles, Snatch Blocks, Tree Straps
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: Offroad Recovery, Recovery Winches, Steel Winch Cable, Synthetic Winch Rope, Winch Cable, Wireless Winch Remote

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).

Tags: Offroad Recovery, Recovery Winches, Steel Winch Cable, Synthetic Winch Rope, Winch Cable, Wireless Winch Remote
Posted in Offroad Recovery, Synthetic Winch Rope, Winching Techniques | No Comments »

Recovery Winch Safety

Written By: Esther
November 9th, 2011 | Filed under Recovery Winch Accessories, Winching Techniques | No Comments »Tags: Recovery Winches, Winch Safety, Winching Tips

Always use the winch hook strap to spool out cable.

No matter how long you’ve been an offroader, it’s never a bad idea to brush up on your winch safety skills. A recovery winch is a powerful tool that should be handled with respect.

1. Keep your distance.

Always stand clear of the rope, hook, and winch. Although it’s unlikely that the winch or cable will fail, it’s best to make sure that you and others are out of harm’s way.

2. Watch your fingers.

Keep clear of the winch, taut wire rope, and hook when operating the recovery winch. Never put your finger through the hook. If your finger gets caught in the hook, you could lose your finger. Always use the hook strap to guide the wire rope in or out.

3. Take breaks.

If the motor becomes uncomfortably hot to the touch, stop and let it cool down for a few minutes. Don’t continue to power the winch if the motor stalls, and do not exceed the maximum line pull rating for the winch. Shock loads must not exceed this rating.

4. Avoid accidents.

Make sure the winch clutch is disengaged when not in use to prevent unintentional starting. The clutch should be fully engaged when in use.

5. Check for damage.

Before using your recovery winch, you should check the winch housing and cable for any signs of damage. If you see damage, do not use the winch. Repair or replace the winch before using again.

6. Watch your hands.

Wear leather gloves when handling the winch cable and when respooling. Don’t let the cable slide through your hands. Sharp burrs can cut through the gloves and rip up your hands. Be careful not to approach the winch too closely. On hidden winches, spool in the cable under power, but keep your hands clear of the opening.

Tags: Recovery Winches, Winch Safety, Winching Tips
Posted in Recovery Winch Accessories, Winching Techniques | No Comments »

Offroad Recovery: Anchoring the Winch

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

Tags: Offroad Recovery, Winch Rigging, Winching Out
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Winch Recovery Pulling

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Tags: Recovery Winches, Winching Out, Winching Tips
Posted in Offroad Recovery, Winching Techniques | No Comments »

Winch Recovery Rigging

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

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.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Engage the clutch. Rotate the clutch lever to the engage position to power in the cable.
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.
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.
Double check your anchor. Check all of your connections and equipment to make sure they are secure before starting the pull.
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!

Tags: Winch Rigging, Winching Out, Winching Tips
Posted in Offroad Recovery, Winching Techniques | No Comments »

Winching Techniques: Use a Pulley Block to Double Pulling Power

Written By: Esther
May 12th, 2011 | Filed under Offroad Recovery, Winching Techniques | No Comments »Tags: Offroad Recovery, Snatch Blocks, Winch Rigging, Winching Out, Winching Tips

Using a pulley block can give you almost double the pulling power.

Pulling power decreases as the number of layers on the winch drum increases. The more winch power you need, the more line you need to spool out.

So what if your anchor point is too close to the recovery vehicle? Or what if you have almost all of the cable spooled out, but you’re still not getting enough power to make the recovery?

A snatch block (also called a pulley block) can almost double your winch power. And since it doubles the amount of winch line that you need to spool out, you can choose a closer winch anchor without losing pulling power.

To rig up a double line pull, spool out a few feet of winch line and attach the winch hook to a tow hook or recovery point on the front of your vehicle. Open the snatch block and run the cable through the block. Walk the snatch block and cable out to your anchor point, and secure the snatch block to the anchor point using a clevis and tree strap or chain. Follow proper winching techniques to complete the recovery.

What’s the downside to rigging up a double line pull? A slower recovery. But even a slow recovery is better than leaving your truck in the mud or waiting for someone to come and rescue you.

Tags: Offroad Recovery, Snatch Blocks, Winch Rigging, Winching Out, Winching Tips
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Offroad Winching and Respooling Tips

Written By: Esther
April 26th, 2011 | Filed under Offroad Recovery, Winching Techniques | No Comments »Tags: How to Winch, Offroad Recovery, Winching Out, Winching Tips

Use the leather gloves in your recovery winch accessory kit to respool the cable.

Winching Tips

Observe your winch while winching, if possible, while standing at a safe distance. Stop the winching process every 3 feet or so to make sure that the cable is not piling up in one corner. Jamming the cable against the winch housing can break your winch or damage your cable.

The uneven spooling of cable while pulling a load is not a problem unless there is a cable pileup on one end of the drum. If this happens, reverse the winch to release the tension on the cable and move the anchor point further to the center of the vehicle. After the job is done, you can unspool and rewind for a neat lay of the cable.

Neat, tight spooling prevents cable binding, which is caused when the cable is pinched between other wraps of cable while under load. If this happens, alternately power the winch in and out. Do not attempt to work a bound cable under load; free by hand.

Respooling the Cable

Wear thick leather gloves while respooling to protect your hands. To respool correctly, it is necessary to keep a slight load on the cable. Hold the cable in one hand and the remote control switch in the other. Starting as far back and in the center as possible, walk towards the vehicle, keeping a load on the cable as the winch is powered in.

Do not allow the cable to slide through your hand, and be careful not to approach the winch too closely. When your hand is at least a few feet from the winch, stop powering in. Let go of the cable and walk back to the end of the cable, or as far back as possible, and continue rewinding the cable. Spool the cable in until there is only about 3 feet left in your hand. Disconnect the remote control switch and finish spooling in the cable by rotating the drum manually with the clutch disengaged. Secure the winch hook to an anchor point on the vehicle to prevent the hook from getting caught in the fairlead or rattling around while you drive. On hidden winches, spool in the cable under power but keep your hands clear of the winch.

Tags: How to Winch, Offroad Recovery, Winching Out, Winching Tips
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Winching a Dead Log Off the Trail

Written By: Esther
March 9th, 2011 | Filed under Winching Techniques | No Comments »Tags: Forestry, Landscaping, Tree Straps, Winching Tips

Moving a log with your winch gives you more control and direction.

If you ride much in the woods, sooner or later you’re going to end up with a fallen log blocking the trail. At that point, it’s either turn around and go back the way you came, or drag the log off to the side. That’s where a winch comes in handy.

An ATV or recovery winch is good for more than just getting you out when you’re stuck. You can also put it to work moving logs, firewood, and other heavy objects. The key is to rig it up properly so that your winch cable doesn’t get damaged in the process.

In order to rig up for the pull, you’ll need a few winch accessories, including a tree strap or chain and a shackle. Never wrap the winch cable around the log and hook it back on itself. That’s a sure way to ruin the cable. Instead, wrap a tree strap or chain (only use chain for deadwood—never for live trees!) around the log and connect the strap to the winch hook on the cable by using a shackle. You may need to dig underneath the log a bit to get the strap around the trunk.

You can change the angle of the pull by rigging up a pulley block and tree strap to a good, solid tree nearby that gives you the angle you need. Instead of dragging the log straight towards your vehicle, you can drag it at an angle off to the side of the trail.

If the fallen log is a long timber wedged between two trees, it may be impossible to move the log without cutting it. In addition, you’ll want to take into consideration the environmental impact (i.e. you don’t want to kill 20 saplings just to move a dead log) and the federal, state, or local rules that may apply to the trail you are riding. Take time to assess the situation before rigging up your winch. Safety is always your first priority.

Tags: Forestry, Landscaping, Tree Straps, Winching Tips
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Can I Attach a Snatch Strap to a Winch Cable?

Written By: Esther
March 4th, 2011 | Filed under Offroad Recovery, Recovery Winch Accessories, Winching Techniques | No Comments »Tags: Offroad Recovery, Recovery Strap, Snatch Strap, Steel Winch Cable, Synthetic Winch Rope, Winch Cable

Unlike a snatch strap, winch rope is not designed to stretch.

If you’re short on winch cable, you might be tempted to hook up a snatch strap for an extension, but this can be a dangerous fix. Snatch straps and winch cables (wire or synthetic) are made for different purposes.

Snatch Straps

Snatch straps are designed to stretch and be able to handle shock loads. They can handle enormous amounts of force but only for the second that it takes to yank out a stuck vehicle. Then they immediately return to their normal length. Holding a snatch strap steady at its peak rated load can render the strap useless if it stretches to the point that it will no longer return to normal length.

Winch Cables

Winch cables are designed for steady pulls that require little or no stretch. For winch recovery, it’s important that the cable has no stretch for two reasons: 1) any stretch in the rope means that it takes more length of rope before the stuck vehicle will move, and 2) if the cable breaks, it will be less likely to act as a slingshot for shackles, snatch blocks, and other metal winch accessories. Because a winch cable has little or no stretch, it can easily be damaged by shock loads.

Using a Snatch Strap as an Extension

What happens when you connect a snatch strap to a winch cable? Combining these two materials increases the danger of the recovery process. If the winch line were to break, the snatch strap with its elastic nature could greatly increase the danger of projectiles, such as a D-shackle. The strap and cable have different breaking points, which complicates the amount of force that your recovery gear can handle.

In the end, it’s best to avoid combining a snatch strap and winch rope, both for the safety of people nearby and to avoid damaging your vehicle. Stick to safe and recommended techniques for winch recovery.

Tags: Offroad Recovery, Recovery Strap, Snatch Strap, Steel Winch Cable, Synthetic Winch Rope, Winch Cable
Posted in Offroad Recovery, Recovery Winch Accessories, Winching Techniques | No Comments »