Tips For Safe Operation - Ramsey Winch RE8000 Owner's Manual

Tips for Safe Operation

o not underestimate the potential danger in
D
winching operations. Neither should you fear
them. Do learn the basic dangers and avoid
them.
The uneven spooling of cable, while pulling a
load, is not a problem, unless there is a cable
pileup on one end of drum. If this happens,
reverse the winch to relieve the load and
move your anchor point further to the cen-
ter of the vehicle. After the job is done you
can unspool and rewind for a neat lay of the
cable.
Store the remote control switch inside your
vehicle where it will not become damaged.
Inspect it before you plug it in.
When ready to begin spooling in, plug in
remote control switch with clutch disengaged.
Do not engage clutch with motor running.
Never connect the hook back to the cable.
This causes cable damage. Always use a
sling or chain of suitable strength as shown in
the illustration, page 3.
Observe your winch while winching, if pos-
sible, while standing at a safe distance. If you
use vehicle drive to assist, stop and get out
every few feet to assure the cable is not piling
up in one corner. Jamming cable can break
your winch.
Do not attach tow hooks to winch mount-
ing apparatus. They must attach to vehicle
frame.
When double lining during stationary winch-
ing, the winch hook should be attached to the
chassis of the vehicle.
SAFE OPERATION TIPS
2
Since the greatest pulling power is
achieved on the innermost layer of
your winch, it is desirable to pull off as
much line as you can for heavy pulls.
Remember, a minimum of 5 wraps of
cable around the drum barrel is neces-
sary to hold the rated load.
If this is not practical, use a snatch
block and double line arrangement as
shown in the illustration, page 3. Neat,
tight spooling avoids cable binding.
Cable binding occurs when a cable
under load pulls down into the layer
below, becoming pinched between two
other wraps of cable. If this happens,
alternately power the winch in and out
a few inches. Do not attempt to work a
bound cable under load; free by hand.