Using Your Winch (continued)
8. Re-tighten the clutch knob by rotating it clockwise when winch is
not operating. This will engage the winch and lock the winch drum.
WARNING: Always make sure clutch is fully engaged.
WARNING: Never engage clutch with motor running. Winch clutch
should always be fully engaged when winch is in use.
9. Using the winch remote control, slowly wind the winch cable until
there is no slack in the cable. Stop, unplug the remote control, and
make sure all winching connections are secure and properly seated.
WARNING: Always remove the remote control before working
around the winch cable or winch drum so that your winch cannot be
turned on accidentally.
10. Always operate your winch with an unobstructed view of the
winching operation. Prior to continuing the pull make sure that
everyone is well clear of the area and that you are standing in an
area with unobstructed access to, and clear view of the winch, its
labels, and its controls. Once the winch cable is under tension,
stand to the side of the cable and well clear of it. Never step over
or under the winch cable when it is under tension.
WARNING: It is recommended that a heavy blanket, rug, or chain
be placed over the midpoint of the winch cable prior to continuing
the winching procedure. This will allow energy to be absorbed if the
winch cable should snap loose or break.
11. Make sure that bystanders in the vicinity are at a safe distance and
aware that you are going to start the pull.
12. With your vehicle’s engine on and light tension on the winch cable,
reconnect the remote control and begin winching slowly and
steadily. Be sure that the winch cable is winding evenly and tightly
around the winch drum.
WARNING: Avoid shock loading the winch cable by using the
remote control switch intermittently to take up cable slack. Shock
loads can momentarily far exceed the winch and winch cable load
ratings. For extended winching, stop at reasonable intervals to allow
the winch motor to cool.
13. The electric motor attached to your winch is designed for intermittent
use only and should not be used in constant duty commercial or
industrial applications. Extended use of your winch without cooling
off periods can cause overheating damage to the motor. A maximum
run time of six to eight minutes is recommended.
14. If the motor becomes uncomfortably hot to the touch, stop and
let it cool for a few minutes. If your winch stalls due to overload,
disconnect it from the power supply.
15. Once the pull is complete and the object winched has been secured
with tie down straps or chains, turn winch power off and disconnect
the remote control from the winch. The winch cable tension can then
be released by turning the clutch knob counterclockwise which will
allow the cable to be removed from the object being pulled. Once the
winch cable is free, re-tighten the clutch knob by rotating it clockwise
this will engage the winch and lock the winch drum.
16. When you use your winch to trailer a boat, secure the boat onto the
trailer with appropriate bow and transom tie down straps or chains.
With the boat fully secured on the trailer, relieve the tension on the
winch cable and respool to avoid damage to the winch and/or trailer
due to high shock loads encountered when traveling.
WARNING: A winch hook strap or hand saver bar should be used
to hold the winch hook when spooling the winch cable in or out. A
simple string or strap a few feet long can be tied onto the winch
hook for this purpose.
17. To respool the winch cable correctly, reconnect the remote control
and respool the winch cable. It is necessary to keep a slight load
on the cable. This can be accomplished by holding (while wearing
gloves) the winch hook with a winch hook strap or hand saver bar
and applying a slight load on it while the cable is respooled. This
ensures that the cable is wound tightly and evenly around the
winch drum, and prevents the winch cable from slipping or kinking.
18. Disconnect the remote control and cable from the winch when the
respooling is complete.
WARNING: Always disconnect the remote control when your winch
is not in use. Store the remote control unit in your vehicle’s truck
or a similar dry, clean and safe place when it is not in use. This
prevents tampering, misuse, or damage to the remote control unit
and cord.
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