BEFORE YOU PULL
Never use the winch as a hoist. ! WARNING
Single line pull
Practice using your winch before you get stuck. A real situation is no time to be learning how to use your winch. Whether you’re recovering another vehicle or pulling a stump from the ground, knowing the proper winching techniques can help keep you and others around you safe. And perhaps the most important part of the winching process, regardless of the situation, is what you do before you pull. In this section, we’ll show you the basic fundamentals for effective winching. However, it is up to you to analyze the situation and make the decisions necessary for the proper use of your winch. Apply your knowledge of your winch and the basic fundamentals you’ve practiced and adjust your techniques to your unique situation. Some keys to remember when using your Warn winch: 1. Always take your time to assess your situation and plan your pull carefully. 2. Always take your time when using a winch. 3. Use the right equipment for your situation. 4. Always wear leather gloves and do not allow the rope to slide through your hands. 5. You and only you should handle the rope and operate the remote control switch. 6. Think safety at all times. 7. Practice. Practice and practice the steps.
Never operate winch with less than 5 wraps of rope around the drum. Rope could come loose from the drum, as the rope attachment to the drum is not designed to hold a load. ! WARNING
Rigging for the Pull The following steps describe how to recover your vehicle with rigging a single line pull. Double or multiple line rigging techniques follow the same basic steps, but use a snatch block to assist the process. Step 1: PUTON GLOVES.
Never attempt to disengage the clutch while rope is under tension. Never engage the clutch while the drum is rotating. Always make sure the clutch is fully engaged or disengaged. ! CAUTION Always use supplied hook strap to hold hook when spooling rope in or out. ! WARNING Always keep hands and clothing clear of the rope, hook and fairlead opening during operation and when spooling. ! WARNING
How to choose an anchor point: An anchor point as far away as possible will provide the winch with its greatest pulling power. A secure anchor is critical to winching operations. An anchor must be strong enough to hold while winching. Natural anchors include trees, stumps, and rocks. Hook the cable as low as possible. If no natural anchors are available, when recovering another vehicle, your vehicle becomes the anchor point. In this case, be sure to put the transmission in neutral, apply the hand brake and block its wheels to prevent your vehicle from moving. Ideally, you’ll want an anchor point that will enable you to pull straight in the direction the vehicle will move. This allows the rope to wind tightly and evenly onto the spooling drum.
Step 4: PULL ROPE TO ANCHOR POINT. Pull out enough rope to reach your anchor point. Be sure to keep a certain amount of tension in the wire. It can become twisted and overwrap when slackened, leading to rope damage. To prevent loosing the end, hold the winch hook in the hook strap while you work.
! CAUTION
Never leave remote control plugged into winch while free spooling, rigging or sitting idle.
Step 2: DISENGAGE CLUTCH.To allow free spooling of the winch drum, rotate the clutch lever on the winch to Disengage. Freespooling conserves battery power.
Never hook rope back onto itself. This damages the rope. ! CAUTION
Stakes driven in at an angle and tied together.
Step 5: SECURE TO THE ANCHOR POINT. Once you’ve established your anchor point, secure the tree trunk protector or choker chain around the object.
Buried log with chain secured around the log.
Step 3: FREE THE WINCH HOOK AND ATTACH HOOK STRAP. Free the winch hook from its anchor point. Attach hook strap to the hook (if not attached).
GO PREPARED ™ 13 WARN INDUSTRIES • THE BASIC GUIDE TO WINCHING TECHNIQUES
GO PREPARED ™ 12 WARN INDUSTRIES • THE BASIC GUIDE TO WINCHING TECHNIQUES
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