-Hi, I'm Gary Harris of WARN Industries.
We all know a winch is a versatile tool
used for recovery of a stuck vehicle,
as well as moving a heavy load.
What I'm gonna do today is give you some tips and techniques
on how to get the most out of your
winch while you're out on the trail.
For starters, always remember to wear gloves when operating a winch.
Winch lines can develop sharp barbs and gloves will help protect your hands.
Also, when reaching for your winch line, always grab it by the hook strap.
This will help reduce the chance of injury to your hands and fingers.
WARN's winching accessory kit includes several items that
will help in moving a heavy object.
One of the most useful items found in the kit is a snatch block.
When used properly, a snatch block can double a winch's pulling capacity
and allow you to change the direction of your pull.
Also in the WARN accessory kit, you'll find
two D-shackles and a tree trunk protector.
The D-shackles are used for attaching the looped ends of
cables, straps, and snatch blocks to an object.
The tree truck protector gives you an attachment point
for the winch rope to go around trees and protect them from damage.
These can be used to anchor to other items as well.
These accessories can really come in handy when you
need to put your winch to work.
And when it comes to winching, here's a few simple steps
and you'll be on your way in no time.
The first thing you need to do is place
the clutch lever in the free spool position
and pull out enough line to reach your anchor point.
Next, secure the winch line to the anchor point by
utilizing the tree truck protector and the D-shackle.
Now, turn the clutch lever to engage
and put the winch line under a bit
of tension,
making sure the anchor is secure.
You can now begin making your recovery.
If the pull is too difficult or if you're pulling a heavy UTV,
you can use a snatch block to double your pulling power.
Keep in mind that the double-line pull will reduce the recovery speed by half.
For even more information,
consult the WARN Basic Guide to Winching Techniques
available for download on WARN's website at warn.com.
Well, there you have it.
A few basic accessories and proper use of the winch
and you can ride with confidence knowing that if you do get stuck,
you've got a WARN winch to get you...