Winching advice

[Jimbo]

My 110 has a Ramsey hydraulic winch, didn't think I'd use it, and did consider taking it off (have a new front bumper in the garage if anyone wants to part with a few beer tokens !), but I did use it - last night.

Needed to clear a couple of fallen trees from a farm gateway (private land, we're using it for some camping at the weekend), so had the farmers permission to do the clearing.

I tentatively decided to use the winch, but not being trained was a bit wary of what to do, and what NOT to do.

I do know that you place something over the winch wire/rope, so if the wire breaks it doesn't take your head off, or wipe out the roof and windscreen etc - what's the best thing to use ?, all I had was a kinetic rope, so I draped that over the wire.

The winch wire (it's steel) has a hook on the end - I looped the wire around the tree trunk (about 6" dia trunk at max, and 20' long) and hooked the hook onto the wire : is this the correct way to attach things ?

I might have a chance to practice some more at the weekend, as there's plenty more fallen trees that need moving, and I've a mate with a series 2a who likes getting stuck in ditches !

Any advice ?

TIA
Jim

PS - I did wear thick 'rigger' gloves when handling the wire !

[Xtremeteam]

The winch wire (it's steel) has a hook on the end - I looped the wire around the tree trunk (about 6" dia trunk at max, and 20' long) and hooked the hook onto the wire : is this the correct way to attach things ?

NOOOOOOOO,if its kinked the rope its prety much scrap now,the correct way to go round a tree(living) is to use a strop either a green 1 or a yellow 1(cant remember the rating but they are colour coded)
(dead tree) use a length of suitably rated chain with a grab hook on the end & go round & hook back onto itself ,then atach the winch wire with the hook,the best thing ive found is to put a brother chain set over the wire to use as a damper as A its heavy & B slides up the wire rope easily,would be different for plasma etc, can post some pics of the above equipment,also would advise getting a snatch block(pulley block) or to as this doubles the pull but 1/2's the speed

[Jimbo]

Oooo [PooPoo]  :oops: , the wire was a bit kinked anyway, and as we spooled it out (is that the correct term), I noticed a couple of slight kinks along its length - time for a new one ?

Chain - where from, grab hook - what's that, and where from ?

Brother chain set - what's this ?

As the winch is hydraulic, the pump runs off the PTO, so you can vary the speed depending on which gear you select in the main box (transfer in neutral) - do I still need a snatch block ?

Can I replace the existing (and probably knackered) winch wire with winch rope or plasma ?

Jim

[Xtremeteam]

from the top

winch rope:depending how safety conscience you are a few kinks are ok but if its starting to become ragged ie strands coming out it is time for a new 1,no sure what size o cable would be best for you as its got more pull than most winches IF you have de-restricted it,

chain with grab hook:dunno where my dad got his,had it for years somewhere like david bowyers or a lifting tackle place should be able to sort you out,

Brothers set: Big ring in the middlw with 2 lenghts of chain coming off with grab hooks on the ends,we mainly use them when recoverying rally cars so you can get an equal pull from the suspension points,if not drape tham over the wire rope just incase.

snatch block: would advise having one for doing short pulls as the more cable on the drum the less of a pull there is,using a snatchblock for a short pull gets more cable off thus giving more pull,

wire/plasma rope:it depends on what you plan to do with the winch,if all you do is self recovery,plasma is ok for use as the cable stays still whilst the vehicle is moving up the wire,if you recover others or are pulling stuff like trees out the road wire is the better option as the winch rope moves over the ground & the vehicle stays still,also the cost is an important factor,£60 for 150 ft of wire or £150 for 100ft of plasma or eqivilant
anythin else just ask

[V8MoneyPit]

Had a conversation with Tim (muddyweb) about kinky wire (careful, everyone!). So long as it is not showing signs of stretching or fraying, you should be OK. If it looks like it has been actually folded, it might be a problem but if it is just slightly flattened it shouldn't give trouble.

Just think logically about the safety aspects. The fact you are a little nervous of it is a good thing. You are less likely to do something totally stupid.

Don't stand anywhere where the wire rope would recoil if it breaks. Keep everyone who doesn't need to be there well out of the way. Never operate the winch on your own though. If you have an accident, you might need someone elses help.

Never let the rope run through your hands, even with gloves on.

Think carefully about the pull direction and get the vehicle as lined up as possible. And try to avoid it snatching too much, it significantly increases the loads on the rope and winch.

Just be careful and think it through before you start each pull and you will be fine.

[Budgie]

You can replace the wire with either a new wire or plasma rope, plasma being much more expensive!!

For something to go over the winch wire then I that someone calling themselves MUDDYWEB sells these on his eBay shop!! :D

Take a look at David Bowyer's website. It has all the parts, winching techniques etc you would want. They even do winch kits that have tree strop, snatch block, gloves, chains and shackles all in one bag!  

There are plenty of other websites that do winch equipment but David's is a good place to start and then you can have a look at the others and compare prices.

[Jimbo]

Time to do some reading then !!!!

Thanks for all the advice - guess I need to go spend a bit of cash, we have a hire-shop-place near here, who specialise in lifting gear - I'll call in and see what they have !

One last thing - should the winch wire be lubricated with anything (grease, oil etc) ?

Oh, and finally - V8_Redline : how do I know if the winch is de-restricted or not ?, I didn't fit it, and have no manuals for it.

Ta,
Jim

[Xtremeteam]

if you havnt done anything to the winch ie altered the control block it will prob only pull a ton max as this was all the lecky board had them set for,,to check what it will pull id simply findsomethin solid to attach the winch cable to & try & pull yourself towards it ie selfrecovery with the handbrake & brakes on,if its restircted it shouldnt pull the motor forward,if its unrestricted it should do this no probs,thats about the best way i can think of explaining it

[Manicminer]

the correct way to go round a tree(living) is to use a strop either a green 1 or a yellow 1(cant remember the rating but they are colour coded)

a strop is rated by the number of lines sown into the lenght of the strop. 1 line = 1t , 5 lines = 5t etc

Minor kinks and bends in a wire are ok. A light shower of oil would do no harm to the wire, or a light smearing of grease - it will help the wire slip on itself onto the drum and stop it from rusting.