A winch is a pretty simple tool in theory, but in practice, they contain a lot of different complexities. In theory, a winch is just an engine that turns a gear. That gear turns a wheel to coil up the winch line. Such action pulls along anything that is attached to the rope. If the item attached to the rope is heavy, you need a more powerful engine in your winch. That’s the idea of a winch, but the reality is that there have been incredible technological advancements recently. Now there are dozens of different kinds of winches with a variety of functions.
There are winches with freewheeling clutches, electric winches, diesel winches, and so on. Picking the right one is about talking with a professional to choose which one fits your needs best. You’ll also need to find one that fits your budget. To do so, the professionals will ask you a series of questions and you need to have the answers to them to the best of your ability. Here are a few types of questions you will be asked.
Pulling or Lifting?
Is your winching equipment hire for lifting objects or for pulling them? The difference is subtle, but can be important. If you are pulling something along the ground, the winch will need to be aligned in a certain direction so you can move things parallel to the ground. If you are looking to lift something, the winch will need to be aligned differently so you can move things perpendicular to the ground.
The difference is very important. In some cases, you might need the winch to do both. If that’s the case, you should talk with a professional who will likely be able to suggest a winch or set of winches that can do the job.
Smooth Start?
Some of the more powerful winches have a lot of torque at low RPMs. Such features mean that as soon as you engage the clutch, they might yank at the rope with a considerable amount of force. In some circumstances, that can damage whatever you’re trying to pull. For those instances, you need a winch with a gentler performance.
How Much Weight?
You also need to know roughly how much weight you’ll need to be winching. There are dozens of different classifications of winch. They’re classified by their power as well as how much weight they can lift. Knowing the approximate weight of the heaviest thing you’ll be winching is important in making sure you hire the right winch for the job. It’s also important for making sure you choose the right line.
The winch line has to be able to withstand the stresses of pulling whatever you need to pull.
Line Weight and Diameter?
The winch you choose can depend on what line weight and diameter you need. Your line obviously has to be strong enough to withstand the weight of the object, plus the power of the winch itself. Different diameters will change the work requirements on the winch.
Choosing a winch is as simple as knowing the answers to a few questions and talking to a professional.