Electric winches placed on 4X4 vehicles and ATVs are used to recover those vehicles from deep mud holes or tight locations. Proper use of the winch is all the difference from having a fun afternoon in a remote location compared with a long walk to the nearest phone. Use a winch that is properly rated for the job. When choosing a electric winch for your vehicle, a good rule of thumb is to overrate the winch by 1.5 times. In other words, if the vehicle weighs 5000 pounds, install a winch rated for 7500 pounds of pulling power.
Assess the situation before deciding on a winch pulling plan. Take your time to evaluate all the options open to the recovery of the vehicle from the situation. Inform any one with you as to the plan you have decided to make. Communicate to them where chains and cables will be placed in order to pull the vehicle from its present position to a free and safe area.
Wear the leather gloves at all times when handling the metal cable and any chain. The wires inside the winch cable can become easily frayed and pierce holes through exposed skin. Never run your hands, gloved or bare, over the metal cables. Use the hand shovel and remove as much debris from in front of the tires as possible. Create a slope that leads outward from the stuck position in the direction of the pull. Attempt to remove any large rocks or tree limbs that maybe lying in the pathway.
Attach to any solid pulling structure by wrapping the 12-foot chain around that body. In the case of live trees, use the 5-foot square rubber mat to protect the trees bark. Wrap the rubber mat around the backside of the tree trunk. Loop the chain around the lowest portion of the tree. Keep the rubber mat in between the metal chain and the tree.
Secure the chain to the cable hook of the winch. Ensure there is at least three full rounds of cable on the drum before applying any force to the winch cable. If the cable is too short, use the 25-foot extension cable with the clevis hooks. Keep all persons out of the direct line of the cable pulling winch. Pull the vehicle free by pulling a straight line into the winch itself. Do not pull the vehicle at an angle. The cable must smoothly align itself onto the winch drum in even “lays” of the cable. Do not allow the cable to bunch up or ride on top of itself. If the cable runs into the winch at an angle follow the next step to correct that angle of pull.
Use the second rubber mat and 12-foot chain to pull the vehicle in a straight line by attaching the 5-ton snatch block. Secure the snatch block to a second tree in the same manner as described in step three with the chain and rubber mat. Place the winch cable through the snatch block pulley so the winch cable will be pulled directly into the winch drum. Use this snatch block setup to pull any vehicle free by providing a straight run into the winch drum assembly.