| The Importance of Safe Winching Techniques | | | | another vehicle. If you choose a tree as your anchor |
| Any fearless offroader knows that the day will come | | | | point, use a tree strap rather than a chain to attach |
| when the mud and rocks conquer your quad, leaving | | | | the winch rope. Using a chain may damage or even |
| you good and stuck. If you enjoy putting your quad | | | | kill the tree. Also, never wrap the cable around an |
| or truck through the toughest muck and obstacles it | | | | anchor point and hook it back on itself. This can |
| can handle, you're going to need a winch that's | | | | damage your cable or cause it to snap. |
| powerful enough to get you out. You're also going to | | | | If possible, choose an anchor point directly in line with |
| need to know how to winch out safely. | | | | your vehicle in order to allow the cable to wrap in |
| If you're looking to buy an ATV or recovery winch | | | | straight, even rows onto the drum. Pulling at an angle |
| and put it to good use, it's important to take the | | | | may cause the rope to pile up on one side of the |
| time to understand how to recover your vehicle | | | | drum. If the rope piles up too high on one side, it can |
| without creating a dangerous situation for yourself | | | | chafe against the winch housing and cause extensive |
| and others. Don't wait until you're stuck to use your | | | | damage. Angle pulls are less efficient than straight-line |
| winch for the first time. | | | | pulls. They also increase the chances of your winch |
| Getting Your Act Together | | | | line rubbing against a sharp edge on your vehicle. If |
| Before you get ready to winch out, make sure you | | | | your only option is to pull at an angle, use a snatch |
| have some basic equipment on hand. First you're | | | | block to guide the cable straight into the drum. |
| going to need a pair of heavy duty leather gloves. | | | | The more line you spool out, the greater the load |
| These will protect you from rope burn and from any | | | | your winch can handle. So choose an anchor point |
| burrs or slivers that can slice into your bare hands | | | | that is far enough away to get the most power out |
| when you handle the winch rope. If you use a steel | | | | of your winch but close enough to leave at least one |
| cable, you may also need a heavy coat or blanket | | | | row of cable on the spool. If you choose another |
| you can throw over the line in case it snaps. A steel | | | | vehicle as your anchor point, block the wheels of the |
| cable can whip through the air if it breaks under load, | | | | recovery vehicle, put it in neutral, and engage the |
| damaging anything in its path. Depending on the type | | | | hand brake before you start to winch out. This will |
| of pull, you may also need a snatch block to guide | | | | keep the recovery vehicle from rolling. |
| the rope in a straight line onto the drum or to double | | | | Using the right equipment and choosing a solid anchor |
| the load capacity of your winch. | | | | point are key factors in winch safety. The steps you |
| Choosing an Anchor Point | | | | take before you start winching out can make a huge |
| Your first task in winching out is to choose a solid | | | | difference in your own safety and the safety of |
| anchor point. Your best options are either a natural | | | | those around you. |
| anchor point, such as a tree, stump, or large rock, or | | | | |