Patriot 15000 - Ramsey Winch

Techniques of OperationThe best way to get acquainted with how your winchoperates is to make a few test runs before you actuallyneed to use it. Plan your test in advance. Rememberyou hear your winch as well as see it operate. Get torecognize the sound of a light steady pull, a heavy pull,and sounds caused by load jerking or shifting. Thewinch may make more noise when running in the‘out’ direction under load. This noise shoulddecrease with use and is not detrimental to the winchoperation. Soon you will gain confidence in operatingyour winch and its use will become second nature withyou.When pulling a heavy load, place a blanket, jacket ortarpaulin over the cable five or six feet from the hook. Itwill slow the snap back in the event of a broken cable.Also, open the vehicle hood for additional protection.Use the vehicle wheel power to help the winch, but don’tovertake the winch line. Plan your pull. You can’t alwayshook up and pull out in one step. Examine all the areasfor anchoring possibilities as well as leverage situations,direction, and goal.Your winch will not only pull your vehicle up or ease yourvehicle down a steep grade, it will also pull anothervehicle or a load while your vehicle is anchored in astationary position. The sketches on this page show youa few techniques.For basic self-recovery, anchor to a tree or heavy rock.When anchoring to a tree, always use a tree trunkprotector.Winches equipped with cable guide fairleads can pullfrom several directions. Pull from an angle only tostraighten up the vehicle-otherwise you can damagestructural members or other parts of your vehicle andcause excess cable buildup on one end of the winchdrum.For a direct pull of 2000 lbs., hitch truck to a tree or solidanchor, and take out of gear.Stakes driven in solid earth and chained together make agood anchor point for self-recovery when no solid anchorpoint is available.To double the pull, use 2-part line and tie off to chassis.Take out of gear.For a solid anchor, bury a log with earth or sand or placeit in a deep ravine.3