Are you serious about improving your skills as an off-road adventurer? Do you want to add innovative tools to your collection of off-road essentials? It’s time to learn about the tow winch and how it can be used to pull a vehicle.
Drivers have been using winches for a long time. However, they’re not as common as you might think. If you often drive an off-road jeep, understanding how to use a winch can provide value in many situations. People who have to drive in less than ideal road conditions must know how to use a winch or change a tire. So far as pulling, towing, and lifting processes are concerned, a winch is an efficient device. It is generally placed on the front of off-road vehicles.
How a tow winch works
Most people don’t pay much attention to valuable devices like winches. A winch is a system that winds wire around a drum while maintaining steady tension. As a piece of valuable towing equipment, winches are strong enough to pull a car or small truck. A towing winch can be used to either pull a car up into the towing sling or onto the towing platform. Regular off-roaders use winches to pull themselves out of mud or dirt.
Components of a tow winch
A tow winch is a set of several parts that work together to pull a car out of a terrible situation. Each component of a winch performs a unique function. The following are major parts of a tow winch:
- The cable wire: A chain or steel wire wrapped around the drum unit is a key part of a winch. The length of the wire can vary from 30 to 120 feet in length.
- The drum: The drum, circular in shape, keeps the wire neatly wrapped and prevents entanglement. When you need to wind the cable out or in, the drum rotates in a circular motion.
- The motor: We need something to power the drum unit. This is where the winch motor plays its role. The motor can be hydraulic or electric. Some traditional winches don’t come with an electric motor, which makes the entire pulling process slow.
- Gear casing and gear train: This is another key part that transforms the power from the motor into pulling power. When your car is stuck in a tough position, you need a tow winch with working gear casing and gear train.
If you ever get stuck in mud, snow or dirt or you get the chance to pull someone else out of a hole, make sure to engage the free spool mode and pull out a sufficient amount of cable. If you have an electronic motor, don’t start recovering the vehicle without putting the winch line damper on the cable.
If your car is stuck in the mud or snow and there’s no way you can recover your car, make sure you call a professional tow truck operator. In Edmonton, you can call Action Towing to get 24/7 vehicle recovery services.
