ELECTRIC WINCH BASICS
So, you have your Warn winch and you’re ready to get out on the trails: climb a few boulders, splash a little mud, traverse the occasional stream. Basically, you’re ready to explore the backcountry and otherwise have a great time. Well, if you’re smart enough to go prepared with the best, you’re probably smart enough to know that to keep having a great time, you need to fully understand your winch and the winching operation. That’s exactly what this guide intends to do: provide you with a basic under- standing of your winch and teach you the basics of proper winching techniques. But before we get started, we must
emphasize that the information in this guide is general in nature. Because no two situations are alike, it would be nearly impossible to review them all. We can, however, provide you with the general principles and techniques. Then it is up to you to take the time to analyze the situation and apply the proper technique. Along with a little common sense, the guidelines laid out in this book can help you keep off-roading fun. Just remember to think through each situation before you act and TREAD LIGHTLY!
Never operate or install a winch without reading or understanding the operator’s manual ! WARNING
Remote Control Switch
Handheld Wireless Remote Control
Rocker Switch
Winch controls come in many forms. All enable the operator to start, stop and change the direction of the winch drum rotation.
Gear Train The reduction gear converts the winch motor power into a large pulling force. The gear train design makes it possible for the winch to be lighter and more compact. Braking System Braking action is automatically applied to the winch drum when the winch motor is stopped and there is load on the rope. The braking action is applied by the motor or a separate mechanical brake, depending on the winch construction. Clutch The clutch allows the operator to manually disengage the spooling drum from the gear train, enabling the drum to rotate freely (known as “freespooling”). Engaging the clutch “locks” the winch drum back onto the gear train. Tie Rods Ties the end housings together as a structural unit. 8 5 6 7
To start, you should familiarize yourself with your Warn winch and each of its components: Practice using your winch before using it on the trail. Motor Typically the winch motor is powered by the vehicle’s battery. The motor provides power to the gear mechanism, which turns the winch drum and winds the rope. Winch Drum The winch drum is the cylinder onto which the rope feeds. The drum is driven by the motor and drive train. Its direction can be changed using the winch switch. Wire / Synthetic Rope The rope’s diameter and length are determined by the winch’s load capacity and design. Wrapped around the winch drum and fed through the fairlead, the rope is looped at the end to accept the hook’s clevis pin. Fairlead When using the winch at an angle, the fairlead (or wire lead) acts to guide the rope onto the spooling drum. It minimizes damage to the rope while it goes through the winch mount or bumper. 4 1 2 3
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Structural components of a planetary gear winch
Never engage or disengage the clutch if winch is under load, rope is in tension, or rope drum is moving. ! CAUTION
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GO PREPARED ™ 7 WARN INDUSTRIES • THE BASIC GUIDE TO WINCHING TECHNIQUES
GO PREPARED ™ 6 WARN INDUSTRIES • THE BASIC GUIDE TO WINCHING TECHNIQUES
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