 07. A tree can serve as an...  07. A tree can serve as an excellent anchor point, but never attempt to wrap a wire rope or chain around it. In addition to being extremely dangerous, this improper winching practice can damage or kill the tree. Rather, always use a tree-saver strap, along with a clevis/D-shackle. |  08. When a vehicle is really,...  08. When a vehicle is really, really stuck, more winching power can be achieved through a double-line pull. To do so, unspool a length of line from the drum and thread it through a snatch block. The cable's hook can then be fastened to an anchor point on the vehicle's frame or tow hook, and the snatch block will secure to an anchor point toward the direction of the pull. This method decreases the number of layers of wire rope on the drum and greatly increases pulling power. |  09. A snatch block can also...  09. A snatch block can also be used to change the direction of the pull, without the wire rope collecting on one side of the drum. By securing the snatch block to an anchor point directly in front of the vehicle, you can route the wire rope to the right or left, while still allowing the wire rope to spool properly. |
 10. If you've followed the...  10. If you've followed the most basic principle of 'wheeling and brought a buddy or second vehicle, then chances are you'll have some assistance in the recovery; this is an incredible aid in winching. However, it's important to establish hand signals before you begin in order to function better as a team and avoid undue injury. Our spotter is signaling the operator to stop the winch. Other important safety signals to establish include spool in, spool out, and "hands off the winch control, dummy. I'm trying to reach the winch hook." A complete listing of suggested winching hand signals is available on Warn's Web site. |  11. Sometimes all a stuck...  11. Sometimes all a stuck vehicle needs is a little motivation. In those instances, a quality snatch strap, such as this recovery strap from Warn Industries, is all it takes. The 3-inchx30-foot Cordura nylon strap is rated at 21,600 pounds and features a protective nylon sliding sleeve to prevent it from excessive wear. Although a snatch strap is strong enough to pull a vehicle, it should never be used in a winching operation, due to the fact that it's designed to stretch and could cause injury should your rigging fail. |  12. If you don't already have...  12. If you don't already have one or more tow hooks or clevis/D-shackle anchor points installed on your 4x4, you should think about doing so. Most on-trail winching catastrophes occur due to improper rigging, or use of an improper anchor point. It's one of the cheapest upgrades you can install on your rig to ensure that you and your vehicle get home safely. Don't be so bold as to think you don't need one. You're out 'wheeling, aren't you? |
One aspect of winching that leaves us a bit apprehensive, however, is how often we witness a good product being used improperly. Knowing how to operate a winch correctly is as important as knowing how to drive the 4x4 it's mounted to. Misuse can result in great injury or even death, so it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with your winch before reaching a situation where you need to use it. Check out the photos and captions to get an idea of how we broke in our new winch by completing a few practice runs, and what equipment you need to properly and safely operate a winch during a vehicle extraction.
4 Safety Checklist
•Know your winch
•Assess your situation
•Plan your extraction
•Always wear gloves
•Establish no-people zones
•Establish hand signals
•Use secure anchor points
•Use a tree saver when necessary
•Use the proper equipment/rigging
•Inspect equipment for damage after each use
•Take your time