| Author | Message | ||
     micky dee (Kincangokicker) Member Username: Kincangokicker Post Number: 73 Registered: 06-2003 |
does using a snatch block really releive that much strain on your winch compared to a straight line pull. and should i unspool all the cable to last wrap before winching. and what happens when the winch reaches maximun working loads. does it stall or does the gearing break. | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 814 Registered: 02-2002 |
I depends how stuck you are. If the winch can't pull any more it will stall. I don't think the gearing will break, but for the electrics if you keep it pulling like that it could smoke the motor. On the hydraulic, it just stops. At that point you can use the snatch block, and it will double your pull. If that still don't work, unwind more and attach to a further tree if you can. The snatch is also useful for pulling one vehicle out with another when it can't get in front at the right angle. | ||
| michael burt (Mikeyb) Senior Member Username: Mikeyb Post Number: 539 Registered: 03-2002 |
if by unspooling to the last wrap you mean with one turn of cable left, no...if by that you mean one layer of cable, perhaps...winches do have more pulling power with fewer layers of cable spooled on them, but most need at least 4 or 5 turns of cable on the drum. the cable attachment point will not hold without slipping and breaking without at least 5 or so turns... | ||
| Peter J Blatt (Peteb) Member Username: Peteb Post Number: 250 Registered: 10-2002 |
THere have been situations when i stalled my winch on a straight pull, then had to double back with a snatch block, and out i came, so yes it will help a long way, and the other info above is correct! Peter | ||
| Axel Haakonsen (Axel) Moderator Username: Axel Post Number: 329 Registered: 02-2003 |
It works because you are gearing down by using the snatch block when you run the cable through the block and back to the truck. It's elementary physics, really. You need half the force from the winch, while the lenght of cable pulled in doubles. Total energy expended to move the truck from A to B remains the same. - Axel | ||
| Max Thomason (Lrmax) Senior Member Username: Lrmax Post Number: 252 Registered: 11-2002 |
Micky, Check out this link here. It is probably overkill on your question but it will be able to give you lots of information about winching and recovery in general. http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Recovery/index.html Information is good. Max T. Yea I know its from Pirate4x4, but it answers the question! | ||
| Phil (Discoanywhere) Member Username: Discoanywhere Post Number: 82 Registered: 06-2003 |
I guess if you wanted to play it safe you would... 1) Use a snatch block everytime..unless its obviously not needed.. 2) Try to use as much cable as possible with out leaving less then 5 turns on the winch... ..correct me if I am wrong. I'm also wondering if most people sit in their truck while winching or stand outside? I understand the cable can snap and hit the windsheild, but I also imagine alot of strain would be taken off the winch if you were to drive while winching. ?? As a safety precaution I'd throw a heavy blanket over the cable to keep it from hitting the truck if it snaps.. | ||
| Rob Davison (Nosivad_bor) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Nosivad_bor Post Number: 978 Registered: 02-2003 |
yes it's true, that's why a lot of the folks on here advocate the giagantic winches that the cheap bastards claim are overkill. with the big winch you don't have to worry about snatches and doubling anything back unless you are in serious trouble. rd | ||
| Brian Friend (Brianfriend) Senior Member Username: Brianfriend Post Number: 1160 Registered: 09-2002 |
uuughgghhhh......uuuuuughghgh......uuughh...he said snatch. | ||
| michael burt (Mikeyb) Senior Member Username: Mikeyb Post Number: 541 Registered: 03-2002 |
yes to the blanket...if you are in the truck, some people advise keeping the hood up to act as an additional barrier to the cable if it does snap...if you choose to drive while winching, don't *overdrive* the winch as letting slack into the line and then having the winch take up again when your forward progress stalls shock loads the system and that can be bad for a few things... | ||
| gp (Garrett) Senior Member Username: Garrett Post Number: 2313 Registered: 10-2001 |
well unless you are using syn lines. you don't have all that stored energy coming back at you in an ugly way.....the line just drops to the ground and you live happily ever after.  | ||
| michael burt (Mikeyb) Senior Member Username: Mikeyb Post Number: 543 Registered: 03-2002 |
wow, happily ever after!?!?! so the secret to a happy life is to break a syn line? sounds like the best $400 bucks ever spent! ;) | ||
| gp (Garrett) Senior Member Username: Garrett Post Number: 2315 Registered: 10-2001 |
i have enjoyed using that line in all kinds of situations. the main drawback i see in this line is that it is not abrasion resistant. once that starts happening the strength of the line quickly is weakened. overall it is just so much easier to work with in all kinds of situations.....mud, rain, etc. i will be pissed the day my line breaks, but if happens to help avoid a bad situation then it has done part of its job. | ||
| david summers (Texmoto) Member Username: Texmoto Post Number: 80 Registered: 12-2002 |
Here's a tip for abrasion protection, that everyone may or may not know. Take a length of old garden hose and cut a slit length-wise. Then pop it on the line were additional abrasion protection is required. Did this 2 weeks ago in Moab and it worked great. | ||
| Paul D. Morgan (V22guy) Dweb Lounge Member Username: V22guy Post Number: 1964 Registered: 02-2002 |
Posted from above:
This is so true. There was a D1 facing sideways on a very very very muddy Falls Dam trail at Uwharrie. The trail was so slippery that I gently placed the my bumper against a tree; ran a cable out 30 feet to a tree that was straight in front of me; through the snatch block; then down to the stuck D1 at a 45 degree angle. The set-up worked great for this application. So having said that, a snatch block physically assists your winch via the pulley physics comment and allows you to winch at off-angles. In fact, I recommend having two snatch blocks. Paul with the overkill Warn 12k | ||
| Jack Quinlan (Jsq) Senior Member Username: Jsq Post Number: 475 Registered: 10-2002 |
The snatch block also puts tension in both directions when used in a straight line doubling back so that if you break your line or loose your anchor, it drops to the ground instead of whipping back. I ALWAYS use my snatch as my winch is fast and I can't see any reason not too. | ||
| Boris Kokotovic (Uberhahn) New Member Username: Uberhahn Post Number: 4 Registered: 09-2003 |
Speaking of snapping cables.. As a matter of safety, everyone should place some sort of weighted blanket (drapes over the tight cable) before the winching operation. In case the cable snaps, this weight will take up the kinetic energy, and not the windshield. These weighted bags/blankets are available from all major 4x4 shops. Do not trust your floormat or jacket to stop a broken cable. I've seen leather jackets cut in half by a broken cable. Just be safe. |
