I've seen people pull there cables, or winch ropes right tight to the fairlead's. and other people let it hang loose off ther racks, front bumpers, or frame someplace. Whats the best thing for the winch, tight or loose???

 

Neither.

Snug would be the best. If it is tight, and the switch is accidentially depressed, damage may possibly happen. If it is too loose, the cable will unspool somewhat, increasing the possibility of a rats nest.

A spongy rubber ball about the size of a baseball can be threaded onto the cable, with a large washer between the hook and the ball. The cable is wound inward until the ball makes snug contact with the fairlead.

 

so the guys I see looping it up and hooking it to there racks are all good then, wont hurt the winch any?, I just don't like the look of it, or hearing the hook slap the rack and front fender all the time, I just snug mine so it wont rattle, and leave it like that when not in use, is that good?? thanks, Ryan

 

It sounds as though you're good to go!!!

 

I'd have to say tight rather than slack.

If you are using synthetic rope then it wont matter as much but as previous, wire has a life of its own and will 'bunch' if left loose. When you come to use the winch again, as the wire gets pulled tight, it will force itself through the other layers on the drum and possibly spool itself in when powering out. If that makes sense?? Also when it's tight, the freespool can't be operated and pesky kids can't spool your rope out and wrap round your bike!
It might help to place the hook high on the rack then just nip in the winch. Just means when your front end is stuck in deep you don't have to fish in the mud for your hook.

JF

 

If you pull it tight off the rack, be careful you will bend the rack down, I have seen this happen alot.

 

i've been elbow deep trying to get the hook a couple times, at that point whats a little more mud anyway, thanks for the great tip guys, Ryan

 

Mudders tend to hang the hooks up on the racks where they can get to them easy.

People that hardly ever use the winch tend to snug them up tight in the fairleads.


If im having to use the winch a lot then I get lazy and wind up the cable on the rack, like if I'm logging or working fenceline or something.

 

I do the same in these situations but rather than considering it being lazy I prefer to think of it as conserving battery power by not running the line in and out. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

I snug mine as well, just didn't seem to be good to leave it hang there, and I didn't think it would be good for the winch to crank it down either