Polaris Hawkeye 325 2X4 2016 Owner's Manual For Maintenance And Safety page 88

WINCH GUIDE
Winch Operation
5. Never remove the hook strap from the hook.
6. Release the winch clutch and pull out the winch cable.
7. Pulling out as much cable as possible maximizes the winch's
pulling capacity. Always be sure that at least five (5) full turns of
winch cable are wrapped around the winch drum at all times. The
friction provided by this wrapped cable allows the drum to pull on
the winch cable and move the load.
8. Read and adhere to the following information for winch damping to
ensure safe winch use.
A. In order to absorb energy that could be released by a winch cable
failure, always place a "damper" on the winch cable. A damper can be
a heavy jacket, tarp, or other soft, dense object. A damper can absorb
much of the energy released if a winch cable breaks when winching.
Even a tree limb can help as a damper if no other items are available to
you.
B. Lay the damper on top of the mid-point of the winch cable length that is
spooled out.
C. On a long pull, it may be necessary to stop winching so that the
damper can be repositioned to the new mid-point of the winch cable.
Always release the tension on the winch cable before repositioning the
damper.
D. Avoid being directly in line with the winch cable whenever possible.
Also, never permit others to stand near or in line with the winch cable
during winch operation.
9. Never hook the winch cable back onto itself. This will damage the
winch cable and may result in winch cable failure.
10. Never use straps, chains or other rigging items that are damaged or
worn.
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