We all know that a winch is a powerful off-road rescue tool with self-rescue and rescue capabilities. However, this is based on the correct and standardized operation by the user. Otherwise, the results may not be satisfactory.

Remember the seven points to avoid when using a winch!

01 Do not use the winch without protection!

First, please protect yourself.

Do not operate the winch with bare hands; wearing gloves is basic practice. Avoid wearing overly loose clothing that can get caught in moving parts of the machine or pose a danger that cannot be quickly removed; do not use the winch when fatigued, and maintain high concentration during operation.

Second, please protect the winch rope.

Pay attention to whether the winch rope is being cut or worn by stones or the ground as it tightens. If so, it is best to take precautions, such as using a T-MAX winch, and move the black protective sleeve on the winch rope to that area to protect the winch rope.

▲ If there is no protection where the rope is cut by stones, it is easy to break!

Third, please protect the winch's anchor point.

This is still an old saying; if the anchor point is a vehicle, the winch should be rigidly connected to the most secure part of the vehicle to avoid separation or other dangers during towing.

If the anchor point is a tree, please use a tree strap for environmental protection.

02 Do not overload the winch.

Never overload the winch! To avoid breaking the winch rope and causing safety accidents. How to avoid overloading the winch? Remember two points:

First: Do you know the maximum pulling force of your winch?

Usually, the Arabic numbers in the winch model indicate its maximum pulling force, such as the EW 12500 marked on this T-MAX winch, which indicates a maximum pulling force of 12,500 pounds.

Second: Estimate whether this rescue can be carried out within the winch's maximum pulling force?

Theoretically, the maximum pulling force required by the winch is about 1.5 times the total weight of the vehicle. Each vehicle has a different weight. Generally, for vehicles under 2 tons, it is recommended to use a 9,500-pound winch, and for vehicles over 2 tons, it is recommended to choose a 12,500-pound winch.

Of course, if you feel the pulling force is insufficient during the rescue, you can also use a pulley to increase the pulling force. The pulling force that the winch may bear during operation is very random and difficult to predict, so installing a winch with a larger pulling force will be an endless pursuit for off-road enthusiasts.

03 Do not forget to attach a cable flag.

Not attaching a cable flag is a major taboo in using our winch! Everyone in the off-road community must remember: those who use a winch without a cable flag are outliers! It is not only dangerous but also shows a lack of experience!

Even if you do not have a dedicated cable flag, you can prepare a similar object (it should have a certain weight, recommended around 2kg-5kg, for example, you can stuff something into a cotton coat), which prevents the winch rope from snapping back and causing injury to personnel when under tension.

04 Do not watch the winch work from a close distance.

When the winch rope is fully tightened, please remember:

1. No personnel should approach the rope (stay 20-30 meters away from the winch rope).

2. No personnel should cross the winch rope.

▲ Never cross the winch rope.

Do not gather to watch; unrelated personnel should stay far away and retreat to a safe area.

05 Do not let the power run out.

First, do not continuously use the electric handle to release the rope!

Please be sure to manually release the rope to a suitable position; do not use the electric handle to continuously release the rope, as the winch control handle's release function is mainly for short-term adjustments during the winch's use! It is recommended that the release time without load should not exceed 20 seconds! Otherwise, it will cause excessive power consumption of the car's battery, affecting subsequent rescues.

Second, do not let the winch work for a long time!

The maximum working time of the winch under full load is 30 seconds. Working for too long can easily lead to overheating of the motor, causing damage. Therefore, if the rescue is not going smoothly, you need to pause, adjust the rescue plan, and let the winch rest for a while.

Third, do not let the vehicle with the winch stall!

The vehicle cannot stall during the rescue process to ensure that it continuously provides sufficient power to the winch!

06 Do not release all the winch rope.

If you are using a T-MAX winch, once the black protective sleeve of the winch rope is pulled out, please immediately retract 3-5 turns to avoid excessive load pulling the winch rope out during rescue.

Some may wonder, what if I can't reach the anchor point without releasing enough rope? You can choose to use an extension strap.

07 Do not neglect winch maintenance.

Proper maintenance of the winch not only extends its service life but also ensures it does not fail at critical moments.

When the winch needs to work, the situation is already very dangerous and may threaten life. Therefore, proper maintenance of the winch is essential.

First, clean and maintain it promptly after off-roading!

A common major mistake is: after off-road rescue, not cleaning the winch rope and directly retracting the rope! If there are no cleaning conditions in the wild, be sure to clean and maintain it after returning home. Specific operational details will be explained in a dedicated article later.

Second, it is best to check the winch condition every 3-6 months!

As a mechatronic product, if the winch is not powered for a long time, it will also affect its lifespan. Therefore, it is recommended to power it on and run it unloaded 1-2 times every 3-6 months, release about 10 meters of rope, check for any abnormalities, and then retract it properly.

Third, clarify the consumable nature of the winch rope and replace it in a timely manner.

The winch rope is a consumable item. Even if it is not used, prolonged exposure to wind and sunlight will cause natural wear. Moreover, each winch is used in the most challenging rescue environments. Therefore, the lifespan of the winch rope is limited and it is prone to wear, making it necessary to purchase new ones and replace them in a timely manner!

Finally, a special reminder: the winch is a rescue tool used for dragging and is strictly prohibited for lifting operations; it is strictly prohibited for dragging people!

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