WARN SNATCH BLOCK - Manual (Page 6)

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WARN INDUSTRIES • THE BASIC GUIDE TO WINCHING TECHNIQUES
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WARN INDUSTRIES • THE BASIC GUIDE TO WINCHING TECHNIQUES
Single line pull
Practice using your winch before you
get stuck. A real situation is no time to be learning how to use your winch.
Make sure new wire rope is stretched
before it is first used. Unspool the full length of the wire rope, leaving 5 wraps on the drum. Apply at least 500 pounds of tension. You can do this by setting up an anchor point and pulling your vehicle to it on a slightly inclined, flat surface and letting the vehicle roll.
Whether you’re recovering another
vehicle or pulling a stump from the ground, knowing the proper winching techniques can help keep you and others around you safe. And perhaps the most important part of the winching process, regardless of the situation, is what you do before you pull.
In this section, we’ll show you the
basic fundamentals for effective winching. However, it is up to you to analyze the situation and make the decisions necessary for the proper use of your winch. Apply your knowledge of your winch and the basic fundamentals you’ve practiced and adjust your techniques to your unique situation. Some keys to remember when using your Warn winch: 1.
Always take your time to assess your situation and plan your pull carefully.
2.
Always take your time when using a winch.
3.
Use the right equipment for your situation.
4.
Always wear leather gloves and do not allow the wire rope to slide through your hands.
5.
You and only you should handle the wire rope and operate the remote control switch.
6.
Think safety at all times.
7.
Practice. Practice and practice the steps.
Recovery Strap
Never use a
recovery strap in a winching operation. Because it is designed to stretch, it stores energy and could react like a rubber band should your rigging fail. Use the recovery strap to “snatch” out a stuck vehicle.
Shovels & Hand Tools
Quite often
during winching activities, you’ll find yourself in need of some additional help. You may want to carry equipment such as a shovel and an axe.
Tree Trunk Protector
Typically
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 living trees.
Backup Parts
Important backup
parts to carry for backcountry travel should include an extra screw-pin shackle, snatch block, and remote control unit. For severe and continued winch use, consider including an extra wire rope and winch hook.
Toolbox Items
Items to bring along
include hand wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers and tools to change wire rope.
Battery Recommendations
A fully
charged conventional ATV battery is recommended to obtain peak perform- ance from your winch. Make sure all electrical connections are clean and tight.
Rigging for the Pull
The following steps describe how to
recover your vehicle with rigging a single line pull. Double or multiple line rigging techniques follow the same basic steps, but use a snatch block to assist the process. Step 1:
PUT ON GLOVES.
Step 2:
DISENGAGE CLUTCH.
To
allow free spooling of the winch drum, rotate the clutch lever on the winch to Disengage. Freespooling conserves battery power. Step 3:
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).
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 use “bungie” straps that develop tremendous and potentially dangerous amounts of force when stretched.
!
CAUTION
Always use supplied hook strap to hold hook when spooling wire rope in or out.
!
WARNING
Always keep hands and clothing clear of the wire rope, hook and fairlead opening during operation and
when
spooling.
!
WARNING
BEFORE YOU PULL