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Winching Tips & Techniques
SELF-RECOVERY
1. Always attempt to get the cable as straight as possible
to the direction of the vehicle. It is acceptable to start a pull
at an angle if it is obvious that the vehicle will turn towards
the hook anchoring point. Turning the steering wheel will
assist the process. It is recommended that the driver is in
the vehicle.
2. Make sure hand brake and foot brake are free and that
the transmission is in neutral.
3. When the driver's attempt to regain vehicle traction is
successful, he or she should be careful not to overrun the
cable and risk the possibility of it being trapped under the
vehicle.
4. DO NOT move your vehicle in reverse to assist the winch.
The combination of the winch and vehicle pulling together
could overload the cable and winch itself.
USE OF A PULLEY BLOCK OR SNATCH BLOCK
Vehicle self-recovery using the pulley block attached to the
anchor point for direct pull. In this instance the vehicle be-
comes the "load" and the actual pulling power on the ve-
hicle will be double at half winch rope speed. Never connect
wire rope or hook back to winch mount!
Below: Direct pull on load using the winch vehicles as the
anchor with pulley block attached to the load.
The most important aid to successful winching (after the
winch) is the pulley block, which can be used to increase the
pulling power of the winch of for indirect pulls. Pulley blocks
can be used in two modes. First mode is attached to the load
and second is secured to an anchor point.
Below: Indirect pull necessitated by obstructions or
soft ground. Pulley block attached to load using a
suitable anchor point. Note the angled direction tak-
en by the load and subsequent angle of rope feed-
back on the winch drum (extreme example shown).
There may be unavoidable circumstances requiring
this mode, though in general it is not recommended
unless applied in stages by moving the anchor point
or vehicle to avoid the sharp angled rewind on the
winch drum. The actual load pulling power and rope
speed will depreciate with any increased angle be-
tween the ropes.
The anchor point, when used must be secure, using a
tree, another vehicle or any firm structure to which a
pulley block can be used to your advantage.
USE OF A NYLON SLING AND SHACKLE
•A shackle should always be used when attaching
winch hooks to nylon slings. NOTE: The shackle must
pass through both eyes of the sling. The safe working
load of the nylon sling is based on the use of both
eye ends.
Never use the cable or hook to connect directly to
the nylon sling.
USE OF GLOVES
•When handling or rewinding the cable always use
gloves to eliminate the possibility of cuts caused by
burrs and broken strands. Inspect cable and equip-
ment frequently. The cable should be replaced im-
mediately if any sign of burrs or broken strands are
evident. A frayed cable with broken strands should
be replaced immediately. Always replace the cable
with a Mile Marker recommended replacement part.
Any substitution must be IDENTICAL in strength,
quality, lay and stranding. Never hook the cable back
onto itself. Hooking the cable back onto itself creates
an unacceptable strain, breaking individual strands
which in turn weakens the entire cable. Use a sling.
Avoid continuous pulls from extreme angles as this
7
causes cable to pile up at one end of the drum.
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