I have a Warn 3.0 winch, here are my questions:
1) Why can't you use a winch as a hoist? The manual warns about this, but doesn't say why. Is it just dangerous or can it hurt the winch?
2) In freespool mode it is very hard to pull out the line, is this normal or am I just very very weak?
3) I don't have a good place to hook a tow strap to in the front of my quad (2003 Vinson auto). Can I hook a tow strap to my winch hook (winch is fully reeled in) or will this pull out line and damage the winch?

Thanks for the answers.

 

1) Winches aren't supposed to be used as hoists because they lack the right kind of braking mechanism to securely hold the cable with a load on it. It can be done, but is not safe to do so.

2) Did you pre-stretch the cable after installing the winch? If not, run the cable all the way out until there are only 5 wraps on the spool. Then power the cable in with a heavy load on it. The load needs to be several hundred pounds to be effective. This will wind the cable on tighter, and prevent the cable from binding on itself on the spool. You should do this on a regular basis if you use your winch very much. Spraying the cable down with WD-40 helps too. On the other hand, you could just be weak. :-)

3) Several options here. You could install a front tow hook to hang your cable off of. Some folks just use a elastic tiedown strap to hook the cable to. Some folks just reel in the cable until the cable stop hits the fairlead, and just let the hook dangle. I usually just hook mine on my front rack. That keeps it easily accessible if I get in deep mud.

Hope this helps.

 

That is an awesome idea. i usually just wind it all the way in until the hook hits the lead and let the hook dangle. i like your way better. thanks for the tip. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img] [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]