Full Product Manual

WARN INDUSTRIES • THE BASIC GUIDE TO WINCHING TECHNIQUES
WARNING
Always wear heavy leather gloves when handling
winch rope.
Step 1: PUT ON GLOVES.
WARNING
Never engage or disengage clutch if winch is under
load, winch rope is in tension or drum is moving.
Step 2: DISENGAGE CLUTCH. To allow free
spooling of the winch drum. Freespooling conserves
battery power.
*NOTE: WARN® offers multiple clutch control
configurations. See your specific winch operator’s
guide for details on your particular clutch operation.
WARNING
Always use supplied hook strap whenever spooling
winch rope in or out, during installation or operation to avoid injury to
hands and  ngers.
Step 3: FREE THE WINCH HOOK AND
ATTACH HOOK STRAP.
Free the winch hook
from its anchor point. Attach hook strap to the hook
(if not attached).
Single line pull
Whether you’re recovering another vehicle or
pulling a stump from the ground, knowing the
proper winching techniques can help keep you
and others around you safe. And perhaps the most
important part of the winching process, regardless
of the situation, is what you do before you pull.
In this section, we’ll show you the basic
fundamentals for effective winch ing. However,
it is up to you to analyze the situation and make
the decisions necessary for the proper use of your
winch. Apply your knowledge of your winch and
the basic fundamentals you’ve practiced and
adjust your tech niques to your unique situation.
Some keys to remember when using your WARN
winch:
1. Always take your time to assess your
situation and plan your pull carefully.
2. Always take your time when using a winch.
3. Use the right equipment for your situation.
4. Always wear leather gloves and do not allow
the winch rope to slide through your hands.
5. You and only you should handle the winch
rope and operate the remote control switch.
6. Think safety at all times.
7. Practice. Practice and practice the steps.
Rigging for the Pull
The following steps describe how to recover
your vehicle with rigging a single line pull. Double
or multiple line rigging techniques follow the same
basic steps, but use a snatch block to assist the
process.
WARNING
Always keep hands clear of winch rope, hook loop,
hook and fairlead opening during installation, operation, and when
spooling in or out.
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BEFORE YOU PULL
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WARN INDUSTRIES • THE BASIC GUIDE TO WINCHING TECHNIQUES
Step 4: PULL WINCH ROPE TO ANCHOR
POINT.
Pull out enough winch rope to reach your
anchor point. Be sure to keep a certain amount
of tension in the wire. It can become twisted and
overwrap when slackened, leading to winch rope
damage. To prevent loosing the end, hold the winch
hook in the hook strap while you work.
Step 5: SECURE TO THE ANCHOR POINT.
Once you’ve established your anchor point, secure
the tree trunk protector or choker chain around the
object.
WARNING
Never wrap winch rope back onto itself. Use a choker
chain or tree trunk protector on the anchor.
Step 6: ATTACH THE CLEVIS/D-SHACKLE
AND HOOK STRAP.
Attach the shackle to the
two ends of the strap or chain and through the
hook loop, being careful not to over tighten (tighten
and back-o 1/2 turn).
How to choose an anchor point:
A secure anchor is critical to winching operations.
An anchor must be strong enough to hold while
winching. Natural anchors include trees, stumps, and
rocks. Hook the cable as low as possible. If no natural
anchors are available, when recovering another
vehicle, your vehicle becomes the anchor point. In this
case, be sure to put the transmission in neutral, apply
the hand brake and block its wheels to prevent your
vehicle from moving.
Ideally, you’ll want an anchor point that will enable
you to pull straight in the direction the vehicle will
move. This allows the winch rope to wind tightly and
evenly onto the spooling drum. An anchor point as
far away as possible will provide the winch with its
greatest pulling power.
Stakes or axles,
driven in at an
angle and tied
together.
Spare tire and rim
buried deep and
the chain secured
through the rim.
Buried log with
chain secured
around the log.
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BEFORE YOU PULL