Warn Basic Guide to Winching (Domestic)

PULLING

Winching hand signals

In some situations, recovery could involve two people. One drives and controls the winch, while the other provides navigation instructions and ensures the winch rope is winding properly. You and your helper must established clear and precise hand signals and review so everyone clearly understands. It should also be understood that if the driver controlling the winch cannot see both hands of the assistant, the winch should not be activated. Suggested signals:

How to spool under no load Arrange the remote control lead so it can not be caught in the winch. Arrange the winch rope so it will not kink or tangle when spooled. Be sure any winch rope already on the spooling drum is wound tightly and evenly layered. Tighten and straighten the layer if necessary. Keep the winch rope under light tension and spool the winch rope back onto the winch drum in even layers. Stop frequently to tighten and straighten the layers as necessary. Repeat this process until the winch hook is the same distance as the full length of the remote control from the winch. Pinch the hook between your thumb and forefinger and attach the hook strap. Hold the hook strap between the thumb and forefinger to keep tension on the winch rope. Walk the winch rope towards the fairlead, carefully spooling in the remaining winch rope by pulsing the remote control switch. Store the hook at the fairlead or tensioned to a suitable location to the side. If you do not have the hook strap, use a length of cord or something similar. To prevent serious injury, NEVER put your fingers inside the hook area as you are powering in.

Step 18: REWIND WINCH ROPE. The person handling the winch rope should walk the rope in and not let it slide through the hand and control the winch at all times. WARNING Always keep hands clear of winch rope, hook loop, hook and fairlead opening during installation, operation, and when spooling in or out.

1) Direction of steering Hold your arms out with thumbs up and tilt your hands in the direction you advise the driver to steer.

2) Power in the winch rope Hold your forefinger in the air above your shoulder height and draw small circles in the air to indicate to wind the winch.

3) Power out the winch rope Hold your forefinger pointing down and draw circles in the air at about waist height to indicate feeding more wire from the winch.

4) Pulse wind the winch rope Tells the driver to wind the winch in short, quick bursts. Open and close the two fingertips until you want the winch to stop.

Step 17: DISCONNECT WINCH ROPE. Disconnect from the anchor.

Step 19: * DISCONNECT REMOTE CONTROL. Disconnect the remote control cord from the control box and store in a clean and dry place. Winching operations are now complete. Put the cap on the solenoid plug in. *NOTE: WARN® offers multiple remote control options. See your specific winch operator’s guide for details on your particular remote control operation.

5) Stop the winch Clinch fist, palm to driver, held high enough for driver to see and other arm straight out at shoulder height is the sign to stop the winch.

6) Braking Cross your palms together to tell the driver to apply the foot brake.

7) Drive assist Tells driver to give the tires more drive force to assist the winching process.

WARN INDUSTRIES • THE BASIC GUIDE TO WINCHING TECHNIQUES