Winch safety

Nissan11

Nissan11

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2005
Location
Marston, NC
So Im wanting to learn all I can about using a winch properly. I did a search and found this very helpful link (http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Recovery/index.html) but there are still a couple questions I have that were not answered.
1) I know it is not safe to hook the winch cable back to itself, but why?
2) I bought a 8,000 lb winch for my nissan frontier knowing that it may not be strong enough in extreme situations, but I was counting on being able to, for example, run the winch cable through a snatch block attached to a tree saver and doubling it back to my truck to double the pull force. I was even thinking if I was trying to recover a large vehicle that I could double the cable back to my truck and then through another block, hook it back to the stuck vehicle for even more power, thus using 2 blocks. I understand that using a block and doubling the cable back not only doubles the force, but doubles the stress on the winch and mounting points.
Now after reading the article in the link above I am extremely concerned with breaking the cable while winching. Correct me if I am wrong, but most winch manufacturers use a cable with their winch that has a higher breaking strength than the power of the winch, meaning the winch should stall before the cable breaks. Just for an example, if the breaking load of the cable on my 8,000lb winch is 8,500lbs then I should not even THINK about using a snatch block because the cable will, without a doubt break if the force of the pull is 16,000lbs.
So my main question is, should I just forget about ever using a snatch block with a wire rope?
Also, would putting a towel over the cable when winching
have any benifit at all if the cable snaps?
Thanks for reading my long post! I just really want to understand the safety guidlines before using something that could kill if improperly used.
 
you only double the pulling power from the winch if you use 2 snatch blocks. 1 snatch block doesn't double the power, unless the hook is attached back to the winching vehicle.

for the double pull power, first snatch block should be on an anchor (tree or such), then the other one should be on your vehicle. you can also add more snatch blocks for added pulling power, but they must all be attached at the anchor and the vehicle to be effective.

Using multiple snatch blocks anchored at different points will not increase the pulling power, they just transfer the force, say, around a tree for easier extraction etc.
 
to answer your questions...

although the pulling power of the snatch block system can be double and triple that of the winch, the load on any single line is still only 8000 pounds, not 16,000 or more.
 
And,... no a towel is not a good rope weight. Maybe a big, thick towel that's wet would be. I heavy coat is a good option too.
Hooking the winch hook to the cable is bad because it creates a bend, thus using only half of the cable, the other side doesn't carry it's weight.
 
The absolute best line wight I have found (okay the $45 WARN piece aside) is a cheapo pair of ankle weighst from Wally World. I bought a pair of 5lbs and gave 1 to another guy(they were like $12).These are the cordura liek material; with velcro closures. I just kinda wrap and hang them on my cable while winching...Pretty soon I am going synthetic though as I believe this will be the last year for my cable, then a weight is really unnecessary
 
So weight placed on the cable half way between the vehicle and anchor will make a difference if the cable breaks? Is it necessary to have line weights on every line if the cable runs through snatch blocks? Thanks!
 
a towel will work, to a degree. Its better than nothing.

I normally use a large,heavy blanket.


As far as where to place it on a snatch blocked setup...

I would put it over all of the cables. a big enough blanket should cover all of the cables
 
I would only use a shackle/clevis and make sure it is rated...

None of your winching hardware shopuld come from the true value (or harbor freight) $1 table....
 
I'd use a shackle, but a good rated hook with a keeper will work as well. Just make sure when loaded, the force of winching/etc. won't shift the tree saver/cables/snatch block in a way that the pressure of the snatch block will be exerted on the keeper of the hook
 
If I am going to winch on a vehicle that does not have tow hooks, is it ok to wrap a rated chain around the axle/frame and winch off that chain?
 
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