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.

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.

Winching Tip of the Week: Only connect the corded remote to the winch when you are ready to operate the winch. Disconnect the remote immediately after use.

Always unplug the corded winch remote
when not in use.

Inspect the lead for cracks, frayed wires, and loose connections before using the remote. A damaged control lead may cause the winch to operate erratically. When you are done operating the winch, store the corded remote in a clean, dry area where it will be protected from damage.

To keep the remote control lead from getting damaged during use, keep it clear of all moving winch parts, including the drum and fairlead, cable, and any rigging. Don’t pinch the lead in the door if you are operating the winch from inside your vehicle. Always pass the lead through an open window.

Winching Tip of the Week: Drape a heavy coat or tree branch over the cable to absorb energy in case the cable should snap.

In the rare case that a winch cable snaps, it can lash back with tremendous force. To prevent serious damage or bodily injury, throw a heavy coat or similar object over the taut cable before beginning the winching process. The coat will absorb a large amount of the force if the cable snaps and prevent the cable from whipping violently through the air.

The coat or object should be placed midway between the winch and the anchor point. Some possible weighted objects include the following:

• A heavy blanket (such as a mover’s blanket)
• Chain
• Floor mats
• A backpack
• A tree limb

Even with a weighted object over the winch cable, you should still follow all safety precautions for winching. Make sure all bystanders are clear of the cable’s path, stand clear of the cable while operating the winch, and do not step over the cable when it is under tension.

And remember that the best way to prevent your winch cable from breaking is to perform regular maintenance on your winch and cable.

Winching Gloves

1. Always wear thick leather gloves when handling steel winch cable. Burrs and frays in the rope can slice into your hands, which can be pretty painful. If you forget to bring gloves, use a heavy rag or double up a piece of thick material to handle the rope.
2. Replace your leather gloves at the first sign of wear. If the gloves are worn out, burrs can easily slice through the thinning leather and cut up your hands.
3. Avoid handling the wire rope more than necessary. Use the hook strap as much as possible to keep the cable from roughing up your hands.
4. DO NOT let the rope slide through your hands. To guide the rope, move hand over hand down the length of the cable.
5. Use the hook strap to unwind the cable. Keep your fingers out of the winch hook, fairlead, drum, and any other winch parts that could pinch your fingers. Also, don’t let your clothes or other accessories get caught in the winch drum or any other moving part of the winch.
6. Finally, use the corded remote or wireless controls to operate the winch, and stand as far away from the path of the winch line as possible.

Next time you replace your winch cable, you may want to consider synthetic rope.

Inspecting your winch line is one of the most important steps in winch maintenance and safety. It only takes a few minutes, but it could prevent some big headaches in the long run.

Do a quick inspection before and after using your winch. Check for weak spots in the cable. Watch for excessive fraying or crimping and other signs of damage that could signal the need for a new cable. Do a more thorough inspection as part of your regular winch maintenance. How often you need to inspect the cable depends on how often you use your winch.

Although electric winches are designed to last for years, your cable should generally be replaced every two to three years. If you wait until your cable breaks to replace it, you’re risking your life and the lives of those around you. Don’t take your chances with a weakening cable.

When the time comes to replace your winch cable, make sure you find a cable with the correct thickness and length. You may also want to consider switching to synthetic winch rope for added safety.

General Winch Safety Tips

•  Inspect the winch cable before and after each use. Keep an eye out for kinks, fraying, snapped threads, and other signs of damage or wear.

•  Wear heavy leather gloves to protect your hands from burrs or slivers when using a steel cable.

•  Avoid wearing loose clothing that could get caught on moving winch parts or the cable.

•  Communicate clearly with bystanders and others involved in the winching process. Clear the surrounding area of bystanders to ensure their safety in case of winch or cable failure.

•  Never straddle or step over the winch strap after it is tightened.

•  If you are winching with a steel cable, pile heavy clothing or blankets at the midpoint of the cable to prevent the cable from lashing back in case the cable snaps.

•  Leave at least one row of cable on the drum when winching.

•  Winch your vehicle out at a slow and steady pace, taking care not to let the cable pile up on one side of the drum.

Other Winch Safety Precautions

•  Never hook the winch cable back onto itself by wrapping the cable around the anchor point. Always use a tree strap and D-shackle to safely wrap around an anchor point and attach the cable.

•  Never engage or disengage the clutch while the winch is operating.

•  Never attach a recovery strap to a winch cable to lengthen the cable.

•  Never use a winch strap to tow another vehicle.

•  A winch is not designed to operate as a hoist. Using your winch in this manner can damage your winch or vehicle and create a serious safety hazard to the winch operator and bystanders.

No matter how ‘built’ your ATV, if you’re a fearless mudder, the day will come when the mud conquers your quad and it’s time to put your winch to the test. Knowing how to properly use your winch—before the time comes to use it—will get you back on the trail safe and sound.

We’ve put together a few tips for you on proper winching techniques:

•  Keep an eye on the winch cable as it stacks up on the drum. Pay special attention to how the cable respools on angle pulls. Don’t let it pile up on one side of the spool, as this could damage your winch or cable.

•  Guide the cable as needed so that it stacks evenly. Spool the cable in hand over hand rather than by letting the cable slide through your hands. Burrs from the cable can slice through your gloves and cut your hands.

•  The cable should wind tightly onto the drum in neat and even rows. If the winch line stacks unevenly, spool out and rewind the uneven section of cable correctly before continuing the winch pull.

•  Pull in as straight a line as possible. If a side pull is necessary, use a snatch block to guide the rope in a straight line onto the drum. A straight line pull is more efficient than an angle pull.

92-foot Recovery Winch Synthetic Rope

The synthetic rope used in today’s winches was originally designed for use in commercial fishing. Its rugged nature is ideal for trail and recovery winches. Synthetic rope has proven
to be much safer and up to 15 times stronger than steel cable.

SAFETY

• Safer if it breaks

Ever had a close call with a snapped steel cable? Get peace of mind with synthetic winch rope, which is much safer to be around than steel cable if it happens to break.

• Does Not Conduct Heat or Electricity

Synthetic rope won’t burn your hands in the heat or freeze your hands in the cold.

• No Sharp Frays or Burrs

Synthetic winch straps protect your hands from the jagged splinters for which steel cable is famous.

STRENGTH

• Up To 15 Times Stronger

Not only is synthetic cable over 4 times lighter than steel cable, but it also holds 15 times the weight!

QUALITY

• No Kinks or Permanent Coiled Shape

A synthetic winch line offers flexibility, retains its shape, and resists tangles. It also holds tight without stretching.

• Resists Rust

Synthetic fibers keep your rope looking newer for longer.

• Resists UV Damage

UV-treated synthetic rope is resistant to damage caused by the sun.

• Polyethylene Fiber Resists Abrasion

The Dyneema® fiber used in the ProMark Blue synthetic rope is the strongest, most durable fiber available on the market.

CONVENIENCE

• Easily Spliced

Much simpler and easier to splice than wire cable.

• Floats in Water

Convenient for winching near creeks or bogs.