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Please note: Winches are NOT to be used for the lifting or moving of people.
GUIDE TO SAFE WINCHING
In order to understand the correct procedure for using an Electric DC winch, please read the following
details carefully, whatever your application. Failure to understand and put into practice these
procedures will considerably shorted the life of your winch.
Always keep yourself and others at a safe distance to the side of the wire rope when pulling under load.
Always use heavy-duty winching gloves when handling the wire rope to protect against rope burn and cuts.
Check your wire rope regularly for any signs of damage. Look out for broken strands or kinks along the length.
Damage to rope will weaken it's strength and must be replaced. Oil and grease should never be used to protect
a rope. Proper rope protection can be purchased.
Always make sure the rope is rewound neatly back onto the drum after use. If the rope is tensioned whilst unevenly
wound, then loose coils can become trapped and badly damaged.
Do not drive the vehicle to pull a load on the winch wire rope e.g. as a tow rope. This will Shock Load the winch
and will cause extensive damage to the winch and rope.
If a winch is being operated at maximum capacity, drape a heavy blanket or coat over the wire rope, halfway
along its length. This will reduce the speed of a snapped rope.
When recovering a vehicle, the winch hook should be attached to the towing hitch, or to a strap or chain around
a chassis leg or cross member. NEVER anchor the winch hook onto bumpers, or
shipping/transit anchorage.
Do not allow the load to 'snatch' during a pull, as this can momentarily double or even treble the load on the rope.
Try to position either your vehicle or the anchor point to ensure as straight a pull as possible.
Use a snatch block if necessary, to turn any corners with the rope.
When attaching the hook to the load, always double check that the hook is secure and the safety clutch is fully closed.
Remember that if the hooks breaks under tension, serious injury can result, as the hook will travel through the air at speed.
A minimum of 5 wraps of rope around the drum is necessary to support the rated load.
The rope to drum securing clamp is not designed to hold a load.
Never attempt to disengage the free spool clutch when winch is under load.
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SELECTING THE RIGHT WINCH?
The information provided below will help you select the correct model of winch for your application.
Winches used under certain conditions i.e. salvage & recovery and used every day will
require a much higher output motor than that of a winch used less frequently
and which is pulling lighter loads onto a trailer etc.
N.B. When a vehicle weighs approximately 2 ton and needs to be loaded onto a recovery vehicle up ramps,
the weight of the vehicle is greater than it would be when on level ground. The strain on the winch
is far greater due to the fact that it obviously takes more effort to pull the same weight up
a gradient than along a flat surface. It is recommended for this application
a winch with a minimum rating of 9000 lbs (4 ton).
Winches are rated on ‘straight line pulls’ and therefore it is essential to evaluate the use of the winch prior to purchase.
The same applies when using a winch for self recovery on a 4x4 vehicle, whether pulling up a gradient or out of soft ground.
Simply, a 2 ton winch would not pull a 4x4 vehicle weighing 2 tons up a hill or out of mud.
Again, a 9000 lb pull winch would be recommended as minimum.
A smaller winch would prove to be both dangerous and false economy.
Winches need to be powerful enough to pull your vehicle whilst overcoming added
resistance caused by obstacles such as moving water, mud, snow, sand or on a steep hill
As a general guide you will need a winch capable of pulling at least 2.5 times the vehicle’s weight.
How Winches Are Rated?
Load and speed vary according to how much wire rope is on the drum.
The first layer of rope on the drum delivers the slowest speed and the maximum load.
A full drum delivers the maximum speed and the minimum load.
For this reason all vehicle winches are rated at their first layer capabilities.
Vehicle Transportation / Recovery Vehicles
A vehicle weighing 1 ton winched up the ramps of a recovery vehicle with a 30% gradient
would convert the vehicle weight whilst on the gradient to a mass weight of 2.5 ton.
Therefore, using a 1 ton winch for a 1 ton vehicle for these conditions would be totally unsuitable.
A minimum requirement of your winch would be 2.5 ton for a 1 ton vehicle.
A 2 ton vehicle would require 2.5 times the line pull, i.e. 2.5 x 2 = 5 ton minimum.
Any vehicles which may have other restrictions such as flat tyres, binding brakes or wheels missing etc
would multiply the required line immensely, therefore, these factors MUST be
taken into consideration when purchasing a new winch.
Our suggested requirement for entry level to the above would be 8000 lbs (3.5 tons) minimum.
4x4 Vehicles
A 4x4 vehicle with a kerb weight of 2 tons requiring pulling up a gradient of 20% in mud would
convert the weight of the vehicle to 5.5 tons.
Therefore a 2 ton winch would be totally unsuitable. A minimum requirement of your
winch would be 5.5 tons. The use of a snatch block is highly recommended under these conditions.
Our suggested requirement for entry level to the above would be 9000 lbs (4 tons) minimum.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
The use of a winch for the lifting or transportation of persons is strictly forbidden.
The cable is secured only by an automatic brake system which could fail under certain conditions
and risk of death could occur.
Ryders will not be held responsible for any accidents, failure of equipment or otherwise
under any misuse conditions detailed here.
Once you have read the above all you need to do is answer the questions below.
If you are buying a winch for the first time or need advice from Ryders experienced sales team,
just pick up the phone or email us and we will help you make the right decision.
What voltage do I require?
What weight am I pulling?
What vehicle is the winch being fitted to?
What length of pull is required?
How often will the winch be used?
Is there a gradient (eg beavertail ramps etc)?
When purchasing a winch it is always worth considering buying a snatch block.
This will then allow you to use the winch on a double line, therefore, doubling the winch pulling capacity.
It is worth noting that when winches are used on a double line the speed of the winch is halved.
Liverpool Classic Carriage Co Ltd
t/a Ryders Winch & Recovery
Tel: 0151 933 4338 Fax: 0151 944 1424
Registered in England No: 6663545
Email info@ryders.co.uk
47 Years of Winching 1963-2010 Our Strength Is In Our Knowledge
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