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3. Apply at least 500 lbs. of tension to the rope while
winding the rope in. Always use care to ensure the rope
does not pile up on one side of the drum and is neatly
wound onto the drum.
CAUTION!
Wire rope must spool on the winch drum in the
direction indicated on the drum rotation decal on the
winch.
Low Voltage Interrupt
Your winch is equipped with a device that will interrupt
winch function if the vehicle charging system voltage
drops to a low level. The winch will not power-in or out
for 30 seconds if this device is tripped. If the interrupt is
tripped, the vehicle should be operated at high idle for a
few minutes to allow the vehicle charging system to
recover before continuing to winch.
Winch Motor Thermal Protection
Your winch is equipped with a thermal protection device
in the motor. If the winch is operated for an excessive
duration, the device may interrupt motor function to
protect the winch motor. During this time the winch will
power-out but will not power-in. Allow the winch motor
to cool for a few minutes before continuing to winch. The
winch will resume normal function once the motor cools.
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR WINCH
Winch Components
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1.Motor:The winch motor is powered by the vehicle
charging system and features a thermal protection switch
that automatically stops motor function in the power-in
direction if the motor gets too hot.
2.Remote Socket:The remote socket allows the remote
control to be attached to the control pack to allow the
winch to function.
3.Winch Drum w/ Integral Brake:The winch drum
allows the wire rope to be stored on the winch and
transmits force to the wire rope. The winch is equipped
with an integral brake that will stop rotation of the winch
drum if the winch motor is stopped.
4.3 Stage Planetary Gear Set:Provides balance between
speed and pulling power.
5.Wire Rope:The wire rope allows the winch to be
connected to an anchor to provide a pulling force.6.Clutch Lever:The clutch lever allows the winch drum
to be disconnected from the winch motor to allow the
wire rope to be pulled from the winch by hand.
7.Remote Control:The remote control provides the
interface between the winch operator and the winch. The
remote control provides the ability to power the winch in,
out, and stop the winch. To operate the winch, the toggle
switch is pressed down to power the winch in and up to
power the winch out. The winch will stop if the switch is
left in the neutral (center) position.
CAUTION!
If not installed, the hook strap must be placed on the
hook.
Fairlead:The fairlead acts as a guide for the wire rope
and minimizes damage to the rope.
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WINCH ACCESSORIES
The following accessories are necessary to attach the
winch to anchors, change direction of pull, and for safe
winching.
Gloves:Wire rope, through
use, will developbarbs
which can slice skin. It is ex-
tremely important to wear
protective gloves while oper-
ating the winch or handling
the wire rope. Avoid loose fit-
ting clothes or anything that
could become entangled in
the wire rope and other mov-
ing parts.Snatch/Block Pulley:Used
properly, the multi-purpose
snatch block allows you to (1)
increase our winch’s pulling
power; and (2) change your
pulling direction without
damaging the wire rope.
Proper use of the snatch block
is covered inBefore You
Pull.
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Clevis/D-Shackles:The
D-Shackle is a safe means of
connecting the looped ends of
cables, straps and snatch
blocks. The shackle’s pin is
threaded to allow easy re-
moval.
Tree Trunk Protector:Typi-
cally made of tough, high-
quality nylon, it provides the
operator an attachment point
for the winch rope to a wide
variety of anchor points and
objects, as well as protect liv-
ing trees.OPERATING YOUR WINCH
WARNING!
•Always use supplied hook strap to hold hook when spooling wire rope in or out.•Never use as a hoist.•Never use to move persons.•Never exceed winch or wire rope rated capacity.•Always wear heavy leather gloves when handling the wire rope.•Never touch wire rope or hook while in tension or under load.•Never engage or disengage clutch if winch is under load, wire rope is in tension, or wire rope
drum is moving.
•Always stand clear of wire rope and load and keep others away during winching.•Always keep hands and clothing clear of the wire rope, hook and fairlead opening during
operation and when spooling.
•Never wrap wire rope back onto itself. Always use a choker chain, wire choker rope or tree
trunk protector on the anchor.
•Never attach a recovery strap to the winch hook to increase the length of a pull.•Never attempt to tow a vehicle with the recovery strap attached directly to the winch hook.•Never usebungeestraps that develop tremendous and potentially dangerous amounts of force
when stretched.
•Always disconnect the remote control when not in use.•Never winch when there are less than 5 wraps of wire rope around the winch drum.•Always pass remote control through a window to avoid pinching lead in door, then using
remote inside a vehicle.
•Never leave the remote control plugged into the winch while free spooling, rigging or sitting
idle.
Failure to observe any of these warnings regarding proper winch usage may result in severe injury.
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General Information
Practice using your winch before you get stuck. Some key
points to remember when using your winch are:
1. Always take your time to assess the situation and plan
your pull carefully.
2. Always take your time when using a winch.
3. Use the right equipment for the situation.
4. Always wear leather gloves and do not allow the wire
rope to slip through your hands when handling the rope.
5. Only the operator should handle the wire rope and
remote control.
6. Think safety at all times.
Vehicle Recovery Using the Winch:
CAUTION!
•Always Know Your Winch: Take time to fully read
and understand the included Installation and Opera-
tions Guide, and Basic Guide to Winching Tech-
niques, in order to understand your winch and the
winching operation.
•Always inspect winch installation and wire rope
condition before operating winch. Frayed, kinked or
damaged wire rope must be replaced immediately.
Loose or damaged winch installation must be cor-
rected immediately.
•Always be sure any element which can interfere with
safe winching operations is removed prior to initiat-
ing winching.
•Always keep remote control lead clear of the drum,
wire rope and rigging.
•Inspect for cracks, pinches, frayed wires, or loose
connections. Replace if damaged.
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CAUTION!
Be careful not to pull the Winch Cable Collar
through the rollers. Watch and listen to Winch for
proper snugness.
1. Inspect the winch, winch mount, and wire rope for
damage. Do not use the winch if the mount is loose or
rope shows excessive wear or damage.
2. Put on gloves.
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3. Disengage clutch to allow free spooling of the winch
drum, rotate the clutch lever on the winch to disengage.
Freespooling conserves battery power.4. 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).
Free SpoolHook Strap
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