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ProMark Offroad Blog

Respooling Winch Cable

Written By: Esther
May 10th, 2012 | Filed under Winching Techniques | No Comments »Tags: , , ,
Recovery winch

Wear leather gloves to respool winch cable.

Letting your winch cable spool up like a bird’s nest is a sure way to damage your winch or cable. Follow these tips to respool your cable in neat, orderly rows.

Respooling Cable After a Pull

Safety first: Always wear leather gloves for respooling winch cable. They protect your hands from burrs, wire splinters, and extreme temperatures.

To respool correctly, you need to keep a slight load on the cable. Hold the cable with one hand and the remote control switch with the other. Start as far back and in the center as you can. Then walk towards the winch as you power in the cable, keeping a load on the cable as you move forward.

Do not allow the cable to slide through your hand. Be careful not to approach the winch too closely. Getting your hand or glove caught in the winch is extremely dangerous.

Turn off the winch and repeat the procedure until all the cable except 3 feet is spooled onto the drum.

Disconnect the remote control switch and finish spooling in the winch cable by rotating the drum by hand with the clutch disengaged.

On hidden winches, spool in the cable under power, but keep your hands clear of the opening.

Uneven Spooling

Winch cable that spools unevenly while you are pulling a load is not a problem unless the cable is piling up on one end of the drum. If this happens, reverse the winch to relieve the load; then move your anchor point further to the center of the vehicle.

After you’re done winching, you can unspool and re-wind for a neat lay of the cable. Neat, tight spooling avoids cable binding, which is caused when a load is applied and the cable is pinched between the other wraps.

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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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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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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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Pickup Truck Pulls Toyota Out of Ditch with ProMark Recovery Winch

Written By: Esther
December 1st, 2011 | Filed under ProMark Offroad News, Video, Winch Reviews | 2 Comments »Tags: , ,

With the dusting of snow this morning in central Minnesota, the roads are a little slippery out there. So even if we’re not the ones in the ditch, we’re always grateful to hear about the Good Samaritans who are willing to pull us out—like this ProMark winch owner and his trusty pickup truck. Recovery winches come in handy for more than just offroading!

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Posted in ProMark Offroad News, Video, Winch Reviews | 2 Comments »

Recovery Winch Safety

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

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.

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Superwinch ATV and Recovery Winches Now at ProMark

Written By: Esther
September 22nd, 2011 | Filed under ProMark Offroad News | No Comments »Tags: , , , , ,
Superwinch ATV winch

Superwinch Terra Series ATV winch

Superwinch ATV and recovery winches are now available at ProMark Offroad! Superwinch is a well-respected brand in the offroad industry. Besides offroad recovery, their winches are used in a wide variety of applications, from commercial and industrial use to trucking and large machinery operation.

ATV Winches

Superwinch ATV winches available at ProMarkOffroad.com include the LT Series and the Terra Series. Synthetic winch rope packages are available on the Terra Series for offroaders concerned with safety and ease of use.

Truck, 4×4 and Jeep Recovery Winches

Superwinch

Superwinch Talon Series Recovery Winch

Superwinch recovery winches available at ProMark include the LP Series and the high-powered Talon Series. The LP Series winches are designed for entry-level buyers and come with a powerful series wound motor and weather-sealed solenoid. The Talon Series is fully sealed for waterproof performance and resists overheating with a heat sink-styled motor cap.

Free shipping on all orders to the lower 48 U.S.!

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Mile Marker Winches Now Available at ProMarkOffroad.com

Written By: Esther
September 9th, 2011 | Filed under ProMark Offroad News | No Comments »Tags: , , ,
Mile Marker ATV winch

Mile Marker ATV winch

ProMark Offroad is now carrying Mile Marker ATV and recovery winches. Mile Marker is well respected in the offroad and automotive industries. They are also an approved supplier for the US military, and their hydraulic winches are one of the best known in the market.

ATV Winches

Mile Marker ATV winches are available with steel or synthetic cable. The synthetic rope makes winching safer, as well as easier on your hands. 2500 lb and 3500 lb winch models are available from ProMark, each with a redesigned braking system and top-of-the-line winching speeds.

Recovery Winches

Mile Marker recovery winch

Mile Marker recovery winch

Mile Marker recovery winches are available from ProMark in 8000, 9500, and 12,000 pound models. The series wound motor offers rugged power and works longer without burning out. A remote control switch is included with these recovery winch packages for more convenient winching.

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Wiring an Electric Recovery Winch

Written By: Esther
July 18th, 2011 | Filed under Recovery Winch Accessories, Winch Installation | No Comments »Tags: ,
Winch wiring

Electric recovery winch wiring

To power your winch, you can either use your vehicle battery or an auxiliary battery. For light to medium duty winching, your vehicle’s battery should provide enough power. For heavy duty winching (close to the winch’s maximum capacity), we recommend installing a second battery to power the winch.

To wire a 12 volt electric winch using your vehicle’s battery, follow these steps. For more specific directions, see the instruction manual provided with your winch.

1. Run the positive wire to the positive terminal on the winch.
2. Run the negative wire to the negative terminal on the winch.
3. Route both wires to the engine, making sure the wires will not get pinched or come in contact with any hot spots.

Now you’re ready to work under the hood.

1. First, connect the positive lead from the winch to the positive terminal on the battery. Use an in-line circuit breaker if needed.
2. Next, connect the negative lead from the winch to the negative terminal on the battery.

If you plan to take your recovery winch on and off (for example, with a mobile mount), you can make it easier on yourself by installing a quick connect setup. Make sure the quick connects are approved for use with the gauge of wire used in your winch setup.

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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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