Mac has the right idea for the placement and Kerplunk reasoning for Warns response is probably righ on! I've had three ATV's with winches on them and have never had a problem with them not working because I've got into the mud or water! I had the dealer install the $69 winch on my new Kodiak and he located the control on the rack, very unhandy, too easy to accidently wind or unwind. I moved it over the WARNING sign, with a little pulling was able to stretch the wires to fit, a lot handier especially if you have a snow blade.