Propickup Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/93737
WINCHSAFETY hose who work in the heavy construc- tion, road building, oil/gas production and landscaping world never know when the winches on the front bumper of their pickups are going to be called upon to save the day. But it's a sure bet the odds of using a winch T are going to be multiplied during the winter and early spring more than any other time of the year. When the time comes to spool out that winch cable or rope, the safety of the person holding the winch control and those in close proximity are the highest priority. That's why we all know the best place to operate the winch is from inside the cab – or at least to the side and behind the driver's door so you have some protection if something breaks under the stress. That's also why you keep onlookers a safe distance away from the action. Keeping the winch and your pickup's battery system protected is also a big safety issue dur- ing "self-recovery" operations. Write 486 on the Product Information Form or visit ProPickupmag.com/info 14 PROPICKUP October 2012 MAXIMUM PULL The best way to accomplish both is using a snatch block for any winching task. A winch's greatest pull- ing power is on the last two layers of the cable closest to the drum. Combine that line position with a snatch block and you eff ectively double the winch's rated pulling power – and cut the drain on the battery the electrical system. But to do so the winch line has to double- back to the vehcile. The line must run through the snatch block and the hook-end secured back on the vehicle with the winch. This basic winching setup provides a 2:1 me- chanical advantage – and allows you to run out enough winch cable to be down on the winch's "power layers. " ACCESSORY KITS That's why every pickup in your fl eet equipped with a heavy-duty winch should carry a winch accessory kit with a tree-saver strap, choker chains, shackles, a snatch block, winch straps and leather gloves. Notice many of the items listed above are plural. Most winch accessory kits come with one item each. But winches being used around the jobsite or in the fi eld often require longer,