Ok I know this is a dumb question but I have always been told if I have a question then other people may have it to. This group is pretty darn smart so I don't know if that is true.

When retracting the winch cable the manual shows and recommends this nice even cable wrap where the cable is wound 1 layer at a time nice and neat from one side to the other than the next layer starts again very neat and even side to side. I can barely see into the winch drum area and it seems like it would be very difficult to rewind the cable as described above.

Is it possible to get the cable rewound as described and if so is there any trick to doing that. I really don't want to hold the cable to close the rollers and risk getting my hand sucked in like I've seen on TV before.

- brian

 

I've always been told that there is no such thing as a dumb question. Although I have wondered about some at times, but this isn't one of them. A even wrap is better on the cable and helps prevent kinking as well, helps protect the cable from fraying some. When rewinding mine, first off make sure you have good gloves on, I try to keep light tension on the cable and hold it a couple of feet away from the rollers. If there is a good wrap already started it will normally continue to follow the pattern, unless you hold it too tight to one side.

 

on my old 94 that gorrilla winch i had.. there was acutally too much cable in so if you didnt wind it in just right it would bind up... but on my new wheeler it has a cheap super winch with thinner cable.. and could use a extra 20 feet.. but i just reel it in how ever it wants...just keep tension on it.. if you want to make it look pretty.. i guess imo its up to you... but i say.. if its wound in... its wound in...imo

 

I pull the cable out and hook it up to one of my truck's recovery hooks and wind it in under tension. I check after 5 or 10 seconds to make sure it's even then wind some more in. I do trhe last couple of feet with hand tension. You're supposed to wind the cable under tension like that before you use a new winch for the first time. It keeps the cable from slipping under another layer and binding under pressure. Whenever the stack of cable looks messedup it's time to do it again.

 

I only rewind mine good, every once and a while, but I usually hook it to something solid, then just use the remote, if no one is around and just pull the cable slowly across the drum

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Ruggo

Ok I know this is a dumb question but I have always been told if I have a question then other people may have it to. This group is pretty darn smart so I don't know if that is true.



When retracting the winch cable the manual shows and recommends this nice even cable wrap where the cable is wound 1 layer at a time nice and neat from one side to the other than the next layer starts again very neat and even side to side. I can barely see into the winch drum area and it seems like it would be very difficult to rewind the cable as described above.



Is it possible to get the cable rewound as described and if so is there any trick to doing that. I really don't want to hold the cable to close the rollers and risk getting my hand sucked in like I've seen on TV before.



- brian</end quote></div>

<span class="FTHighlightFont"></span ft>

I agree Ruggo, all winches should come with a plug-in or a wireless remote control to aid tn rewinding the cable/rope properly! The only other thing they could do would be to have a mechanical guide similar to that on a level wind fishing reel, to automatically guide the line in. But then you would have more moving parts with the possibility of it breaking down etc.
Idea's like this should be acted upon by the manufacturer's and be Standard equipment not just an expensive option! It is a safety issue and should be a top priority on those grounds alone! JMO![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

i just kind of guide it back in going side to side and wrapping it as evenly trying not to over lap until its all the way across the drum to start the next layer and once in awhile i'll unwrapp the cable hooking it to a tree or what not keep tention on the cable to keep it tighty wound w/ the tention back on the cable. i always have some tention on the cable when i keep it sucked into the roller.

 

A couple more hints. If concerned about getting your hand pulled into the rollers put a finger through the hook instead. It cannot fit between the rollers so it won't go in. Also, the best reason to wind evenly is so that the next layer of cable being winched in is riding on a solid drum of tightly wound cable. If it is loose and all over the place the next layer can get in between the previous windings and make a nasty birds nest and get stuck. If this happens put the winch on freespool, attach the hook to something that won't move, and back up the quad until it's pulled out. Beats the, "pulling at the bird's nest until it releases suddenly and falling on your backside", method.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: MooseHenden

Beats the, "pulling at the bird's nest until it releases suddenly and falling on your backside", method.</end quote></div>


Good visual Moose

- brian

 

I use a couple of methods,both I hook to a solid object,in my case I use a tree strap and hook to a tree. The first has pretty much been described above in other posts. I use the remote and wearing a glove I push the cable to one side as it winds in across the drum evenly,once the cable is at the opposite side of the drum I pull back to the other side as it winds across the drum...over and over until the cable is reeled in..last few feet I hold the hook. Never have been worried about getting my hand in there for a few reasons..I keep it a couple of feet from the fairlead and move forward with the machine, also I try to be on a slight ncline to increase the tension and under tension ATV winches are slow compared to larger truck winches.
The other method I use if I am being lazy..I sit on the machine and reel it in as I slowly steer back and forth..this technique takes some practice to perfect and until you get the hang of what works as far as the steering goes you need to check the cable frequently to make sure it is winding evenly..once you get the rythm down it works pretty well when you are tired and lazy after a long day of winching out your buddies lol..