Winches and Rated Line Pull

[John Kalmbach]

Another reason to use a snatch block is that it requires you to have a greater length of cable off the winch spool, thereby increasing the pulling power of the winch. On the Warn M12000, there are five layers of cable, and each time you go to a lower layer (always leave one layer on the spool), you increase the winches pulling power until you reach it's rating, which is with one layer of cable on the spool.

You can view the specs at; http://www.warn.com/truck/winches/src/M1200.shtml
Note; Warn has a typo on the 12V DC Performance Specs, one layer has 12000Lbs pull, not 1200Lbs.

John K.

[Railvan]

I went through the same thought process and ended up with a Superwinch 16.5 winch and an Warn foot-first adapter. The install can be seen here:

http://www.pbase.com/railbat/sportsmobile_winch_install

I need to update the photos with a final view with the top cover finished with a box welded over the top of the winch and painted black.

Brian

[daveb]

Originally Posted by adventureduo

Yes, doubling your line and using a snatch block is your best friend.

I talked to Dave from Aluminess about anyone ever damaging or ripping off their bumpers under winching conditions. He replied with big fat no..

Really? I was at SMB talking at a guy who in fact did rip off a portion of his front bumper. He did make the mistake of trying to pull his rig out of the mud w/o applying and power to the drive train which what probably caused the failure but it can happen. I use a winch more at work than on my SMB and worry more about the cable than anything else. I have Master pull rope on my van and hope to convince my company to install it on my new truck that’s on order. I always use a winch to assist in getting me out.

[bgoetting]

I wasn't going to buy a winch because of the cost, small likelyhood that I'll need it. Then I saw Costco sells a Milemarker 8000# winch (thanks China!) for $369 so I bought it. Fits great in the Aluminess bumper compartment (after moving the solenoid slightly). Easy install. Won't tear off my bumper for sure. Won't pull me out of quicksand but it may be all I need to get me unstuck. More likely that I'll be pulling someone else's car out of the mud, but at least I can try to help.