7.Clutch:Allows the operator to manually disengage the winch drum
from the gear train, enabling the drum to freely rotate (ªfreespoolingº).
Engaging the clutch ªlocksº the winch drum back onto the gear train.
Note:Never engage or disengage the clutch if the winch is under load,
the wire rope is in tension or the winch drum is moving.
8.Control box:Enables the operator to change the direction of the
winch drum rotation.
9.Remote control:Plugs into the control box allowing the operator to
control the winch direction as well as stand clear of the wire rope while
operating the winch.
Winch accessories
Some of the following accessories are items you'll want to have with you
to ensure safe operation of your winch; some are enhancements to add
versatility and convenience to your winch:
²Gloves:It is extremely important to wear protective gloves while
operating the winch or handling wire rope since the rope will, through
normal use, develop sharp barbs which can slice through skin.
²Hook strap:This safety item is
used to hold the rope wire away
from the fairlead as the rope is
being powered in. Winches can
develop tremendous pulling
pressure which can easily remove
fingers and limbs that get
pinched. Put a hook strap in the
loop and hold the strap between
the thumb and forefingers.
²Clevis/D-Shackle:The
D-Shackle is a safe means for
connecting the looped ends of
cables and straps. The shackle's
pin is threaded to allow easy
removal.
²Choker chains:These can be used to hook-up another vehicle or
sharp objects for an anchor point. Chains, however, will damage or kill
trees.
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Winch operation
Before you pull
Make sure the new rope is stretched before its first use. Unspool the
wire rope, leaving five wraps on the drum. Apply at least 500 lbs. (227
kg) of tension. This can be done by setting up an anchor point and
pulling your vehicle to it at a slightly inclined, flat surface and letting the
vehicle roll.
Before you use your winch, remember these key points:
1. Think safety at all times.
2. Always take your time to assess your situation and plan your pull
carefully.
3. Always take your time when using the winch.
4. Use the right equipment for your situation.
5. Always wear leather gloves and do not allow the wire rope to slide
through your hands.
6. You and only you should handle the wire rope and operate the remote
control switch.
7. Practice. Practice and practice the steps.
Choosing an anchor point
A secure anchor is critical to winching operations. The anchor must be
strong enough to hold while winching. Natural anchors include trees,
stumps and rocks. Hook the rope 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 parking brake and block the wheels to prevent it
from moving.
The anchor point should allow you to pull straight in the direction the
vehicle will move. This allows the rope to wind tightly and evenly on the
winch drum. An anchor point as far away as possible will provide the
winch with its greatest pulling power.
Winching hand signals
In some situations, recovery could involve two people. While one person
drives, the other person provides navigation assistance and ensures the
rope is winding properly. Understanding the right hand signals help
provide clear understanding between the driver and the navigator. Also,
if the driver controlling the winch can not see both hands of the
navigator, the winch should not be activated. The following are some
suggested hand signals to review:
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Vehicle recovery (single line)
The following steps outline how to recover your vehicle with a single
line; multiple lines follow the same basic steps but use a snatch block to
assist the process. Refer toRigging Techniqueslater in this chapter.
1. Put on leather gloves.
2. Disengage the clutch to allow
freespooling of the winch drum.
Freespooling conserves the vehicle's
battery power.
Always use the supplied
hook strap to hold the hook
when spooling wire rope in or out.
Note:Never attempt to disengage the clutch while the wire rope is
under tension. Never engage the clutch while the drum is rotating.
Always make sure the clutch is fully engaged or disengaged.
Note:Never leave the remote control plugged into the winch while
freespooling, rigging or sitting idle.
3. Free the winch hook from its
anchor point and attach the hook
strap to the hook (if not already
attached).
Always keep hands and
clothing clear of the wire
rope, hook and fairlead opening
during operation and when
spooling.
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4. Pull the wire rope to the anchor point. Be sure to keep a certain
amount of tension in the rope; when slackened, it can become twisted
and overwrap leading to rope damage.
Note:Never winch when there are less than five wraps of wire rope
around the drum.
5. Secure the rope to the anchor point. (SeeChoosing an anchor point
earlier in ths chapter.
6. Attach the clevis/D-shackle to the
two ends of the strap or chain and
through the hook loop. Be careful
not to overtighten (tighten, then
back-off
1¤2turn).
7. Lock (Engage) the clutch using
the lever on the winch.
8. Connect the remote control. Be
careful not to let the remote control
cord dangle in front of the winch.
Always disconnect the remote
control when not in use.
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If you do not have the hook strap, use a length of cord or something
similar.
To help prevent serious injury,neverput your fingers inside the
hook area as you are powering in.
Rigging techniques
Various winching situations will require unique winching techniques.
These could range from too little distance to achieve maximum pull
using straight line rigging, simply increasing pulling power or maintaining
a straight-line pulling situation.
How to change the pulling direction
All winching operations should have
a straight line from the winch to the
object being pulled. This minimizes
the wire rope collecting on one side
of the drum which will affect pulling
efficiency and may damage the wire
rope. A snatch block, secured to a
point directly in front of the vehicle,
enables you to change the pulling
direction while allowing the wire
rope to be at 90É to wind properly
onto the drum.
Increasing pulling power
Using snatch blocks increases the pulling power of your winch.
Double line
Pulling power decreases with the
number of layers of rope on the
drum; using a snatch block to
double line out more wire rope. This
decreases the number of layers of wire rope on the drum which
increases pulling power.
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Disengage the clutch and, using the
snatch block, pull out enough rope
to reach your anchor point. Do not
attach the hook to the mounting kit.
Secure to the anchor point with a tree protector or choker chain. Attach
the clevis/D-shackle. Attach the shackle to the two ends of the
protector/chain being careful not to overtighten (tighten and back off
1¤2
turn).
Triple line
Use the same techniques as a
double line.
Select a strong mounting location on your vehicle for the snatch block
and the clevis/D-shackle. Keep at a 90É angle between the winch and run
the wire rope to the first anchor point and through the snatch block.
Secure the rope back to the vehicle. Put the rope through the snatch
block and secure it with the clevis/D-shackle on the vehicle as close to
the winch as possible. Run the rope to the final anchor point.
Secure to the anchor point with a tree protector or choker chain. Attach
the clevis/D-shackle. Attach the clevis/D-shackle to the two ends of the
protector/chain, being careful not to overtighten (tighten and back off
1¤2
turn).
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ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) DEACTIVATION IN 4WD
(IF EQUIPPED)
Refer to the label on the back of the sun visor mirror regarding Anti-lock
Brake System (ABS) operation.
Your vehicle may be equipped with a feature that deactivates the
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) when 4WD Low is engaged. The ABS
indicator (
ABS) illuminates, to indicate that ABS is deactivated, and
stays on as long as 4WD Low is engaged.
When 4WD Low is disengaged, the ABS light turns off and the system is
active again.
SUSPENSION UPGRADE PACKAGE
Your vehicle is equipped with a special suspension package that will
enhance the vehicle's off-road performance. The vehicle will handle
differently, both on and off-road, from a factory-equipped passenger car
or truck.
Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles are not
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more
than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
Dual action remote control suspension
To operate the system:
1. Push the red button to pressurize the system for a firmer ride.
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2. Push the black buttons on the bleed valves for a softer ride. Separate
bleed valves allow independent adjustment of front and rear shocks.
Note:Do not operate the compressor for more than 30 seconds at a
time. Allow the compressor to cool down for one minute between
operations.
Note:Stop compressor operation when the arrow on the gauge reaches
maximum. Continuing to supply pressure will not make the shocks any
firmer and damage to the system will occur.
The following table is an example of typical settings for the suspension.
Setting Front Rear
High-speed firm ride 8 6
Slow-speed soft ride 2 2
Towing 5 8
LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL
General information
Your vehicle may be equipped with a locking rear differential; vehicles
equipped with this differential should be identified by a ªCautionº label
mounted on the instrument panel. Vehicle handling characteristcs will be
different than a conventional differential. Examples of this would be:
²When turning a corner, the sound of component disengagement and
re-engagement may be audible, and the transfer of driving torque from
both wheels to one wheel may be noticeable.
²When going from drive (acceleration) to coast (deceleration) in a
turn, a ªmetallicº sound may be heard as torque flow is reversed
(inside wheel engaged during acceleration; outside wheel engaged
during deceleration).
²When negotiating a turn (outside wheel disengaged), the inside wheel
under conditions of poor traction may receive excessive torque, which
could cause it to break traction momentarily until its speed is equal to
the outside wheel. This will result in re-engagement of the outside
wheel thus allowing both wheels to be driven. This condition is most
noticeable with lightly loaded axles.
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