Posted by MT Bob on April 16, 1999 at 15:43:18:
In Reply to: Correct Cabling Procedure? posted by Buddy Finney on April 14, 1999 at 14:36:28:
In the hope of saving a few body parts (human and PW) I will throw out a few ideas on safely using a PTO winch. Please remember, in all probability the PTO powered winch is potentially the most dangerous piece of equipment you will ever use.
1 If your winch cable is kinked , frayed , flattened or rusted, cut off the damaged portion or go buy new wire rope. A damaged wire rope is a disaster waiting to happen. Do not wait until you are a victim. Fix it now.
2 If you replace the winch cable use the proper size wire rope for your winch drum. The drum is designed in such a manner that the proper rope diameter will evenly fill the drum as it is laid down. A rope of too large or too small diameter will cause gaps which will damage the rope as it is crushed into those gaps. The LU-4 Braden winch on the M37 requires a 7/16 inch by 150 foot wire rope. A helpful trick for preventing snarls is to lay apiece of light mechanics wire across the wire rope which is already on the drum towards the end of the layer. Keep both ends of the wire free, while trapping the wire with 5 or 6 rotations of the winch cable. As you start back on the next layer cover those wraps that are over the mechanics wire. Now tie the two loose ends of the mechanics wire together. This will prevent your winch cable from unwrapping below this point and keep the cable tightly laid on the drum. Protect your investment, keep your wire rope clean and lubricated. For attaching the hook I prefer an open wedge socket. With a punch and a hammer you can easily make field repairs.
3 Do not wrap your winch cable around the object which you are winching, this is a good way to damage your wire rope. Use a chain (not a nylon tow strap) for encircling the winched object. A nylon strap will stretch and if something does break it becomes a large rubber band with a hook attached. You will not have time to duck.My price for this lesson was a fortunately a radiator and not my scull.
4 Throw away that old chain that you found. Go buy a new one that you can trust. Paint it red, yellow, pink or purple. The paint tells you that this is the chain which you will entrust with your life. It should never leave the truck unless you are using the winch i.e. do not loan it out or use it for other purposes. I prefer an 7 foot long ,3/8 , grade 7, high tensile transport chain with a working load limit of 6600 pounds. One end has a 3/8, grade 8, clevis sling hook while the other has a 3/8, grade 8 clevis grab hook. The hooks have a working load limit of 7300 pounds. Do not skimp on a chain. Do not use someone else`s chain. I once pulled a farmers 1/2 chain in half and fortunately (once again) the price of the lesson was not my skull.
5 Do not stand directly in line with the winched object If something breaks. it most likely will be coming straight back along that path. Keep the innocent bystanders out of the way. Bear in mind that 100 feet of cable will cover a large area.
6 If you are by your self never touch a cable which is rewinding. You can get snagged and eaten. I would much rather drive home with a loose winch cable than have to chew my paw off.
7 For heavy winching, a snatch block will save a lot of stress on your winch and wire rope.
8 PTO shafts are killers. Unless you want to feel like a mouse in a blender,NEVER NEVER get anywhere near one when the truck is running. If your PTO will not engage shut the truck off before you investigate the problem. I know of one man that had both arms removed by a PTO shaft. He of course could not drive for help and consequently died of shock and blood loss. Certainly it was not a pleasant way to go. Please keep that as a mental picture and recall it before you even consider doing something stupid with a PTO.
9 If you are stuck never hook your winch to a power pole, a telephone pole or a railroad track.Imagine the potential liabilities involved in causing a power outage or a train derailment. A good dead man can be easily made with a couple of old axle shafts. Drive them in the ground in line with the truck about 3 feet apart then link them with your chain. Winch from the closest one. To build a cheap tree protector take an old piece of carpet approximately 1 by 3, cut a 2 by 4 in 1 foot lengths, screw these to the carpet spaced about 8 apart. Wrap this around the tree and your chain will not chew the bark off.
10 Use common sense and do not get in a hurry. Take the time to rig things safely.
11 I always wear gloves or in the winter heavy mittens, but, when it comes to machinery with moving parts I am also careful to heed my big brother`s advice never put your fingers where you wouldn`t put your tongue .