Warn Basic Guide to Winching (Domestic)

BEFORE YOU PULL

PULLING

Step 10: CHECK YOUR ANCHOR. Make sure all connections are secured and free of debris before continuing with the winching procedure.

What to look for under load The winch rope must always spool onto the drum as indicated by the drum rotation decal on the winch. As you power in, make sure the winch rope winds evenly and tightly on the drum. This prevents the outer wire wraps from drawing into the inner wraps, binding and damaging the winch rope. Avoid shock loads by using the control switch intermittently to take up winch rope slack. Shock loads can momentarily far exceed the winch and winch rope ratings. During side pulls the winch rope tends to stack up at one end of the drum. This stack can become large enough to cause serious damage to the winch. So, line up pulls as straight ahead as possible and stop winching if the winch rope comes close to the tie rods or mounting plate. To fix an uneven stack, spool out that section of the rope and reposition it to the opposite end of the drum which will free up space for continued winching. Step 16: SECURE VEHICLE. Once recovery of the vehicle is complete, be sure to secure the vehicle’s brakes and put the Transmission in “park” (automatic) or“low” gear for (manual) transmissions. Release tension in the winch rope. NOTICE Avoid overheating the winch motor. For extended winching, stop at reasonable intervals to allow the winch motor to cool down.

Establish “no people” zones:

PULLING

WARNING Never use winch as a hoist or to suspend a load.

WARNING Never engage or disengage clutch if winch is under load, winch rope is in tension or drum is moving. Step 7: LOCK THE CLUTCH. Lock the winch drum by rotating the *clutch lever on the winch to Engage. *NOTE: WARN® offers multiple clutch control configurations. See your specific winch operator’s guide for details on your particular clutch operation.

WARNING Never use winch or winch rope for towing. Shock loads can damage, overload and break rope.

WARNING Never operate winch with less than 5 wraps of winch rope or 10 wraps of synthetic 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. As you probably have already noticed, there are many things to do and consider before you actually begin pulling. Think through what you’re doing and you can keep yourself and those around you out of harm’s way. Operating your winch properly is so important, in fact, you should practice these techniques before having to face the distractions and stresses of a real winching situation.

Step 13: MAKE YOUR INTENTIONS CLEAR. Be sure that everyone in the immediate vicinity surrounding the winching operation is completely aware of your intentions before you pull. Declare where the spectators should not stand — never behind or in front of the vehicle and never near the winch rope or snatch block. Your situation may have other “no people” zones.

Step 8: *CONNECT THE REMOTE CONTROL. Be careful not to let the remote control cord dangle in front of the winch. If you choose to control the winch from inside your vehicle, always pass the remote through a window to avoid pinching the cord in the door. Always disconnect the remote control when not in use. WARNING Never leave remote control where it can be activated during free spooling, rigging, or when the winch is not being used. NOTE: WARN® offers a variety of remote control options. See your specific winch operator’s guide for details on your particular remote control operation.

Step 14: BEGIN WINCHING. With the winching vehicle’s engine on and light tension already on the winch rope, begin winching slowly and steadily. Be sure that the winch rope is winding evenly and tightly around the spooling drum. For additional assistance, the winched vehicle can be slowly driven while being pulled by the winch. NOTICE Always avoid continuous side pulls which can pile up winch rope at one end of the drum. This pile up of wire can damage winch rope or winch. Step 15: FOR VEHICLE RECOVERY , continue pulling until the vehicle is on stable ground. If you are able to drive the vehicle, the winching operation is complete.

Step 11: CHECK WINCH ROPE. The winch rope should be neatly wound around the spooling drum. Improper winding can cause damage to the winch rope. Step 12: LAY SOMETHING OVER THE WINCH ROPE , if you decide it is necessary, midway between the winch and the anchor point to absorb energy should the winch rope snap loose. Tree limbs, heavy jackets, chain, back pack and the like may be used for this purpose.

Step 9: PUT WINCH ROPE UNDER TENSION. Using the winch switch, slowly wind the winch rope until no slack remains. Once the winch rope is under tension, stand well clear, and never step over it.

WARN INDUSTRIES • THE BASIC GUIDE TO WINCHING TECHNIQUES

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