Tips for Using Your Electric Winch 0
A 12v DC winch is a great tool and incredibly simple to use to boot. However, many people make small mistakes when using them that either make the job much harder or put themselves or others in danger. Follow these tips to get the most out of your winch and stay out of trouble.
First, if you’re pulling a heavy object a short distance, try to use snatch blocks. You winch is at its most powerful when there is one wrap of cable left on the drum. It is at this point where companies rate how strong their winches are. For every extra wrap of cable on the spool, the winch loses a certain amount of power. If you are pulling a heavy object a short distance, odds are you will have lots of extra cable on the drum. You can take some extra cable off and make the winch actually stronger by using a snatch block. The downside to this is that it will take twice as long to pull the load in.
While you are using a winch, also always make use of the remote control. Using the remote control allows you to stay out of the way of the winch while you’re pulling your load in. This way, if something should happen with the winch and the cable snaps, you won’t be anywhere nearby to get hit with it.
Even though you’re standing a distance away, always make sure that the winch is pulling straight and the cable is wrapping evenly around the drum. If it’s impossible to pull the cable straight, stop the winch every few minuets to re-spool the cable. This avoids problems with the cable and avoid putting unnecessary stress on the winch itself.
These are just a few tips to make sure you use your winch correctly. For more information on how to use your winch and which winches to buy, visit the 12v Winch Guide.
