Identification | Operation | Installation | Preventive Maintenance | Safety | Theory | Terms | Specifications

GENERAL SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS

Safety informational callouts used in this manual include:

!CAUTION!
Caution - This emblem is used to warn against potential or unsafe practices which could result in injury and product or property damage if proper procedures are not followed.

Safety for operators and ground personnel is of prime concern. Always take the necessary precautions to ensure safety of others, as well as, yourself. To ensure safety, the prime mover and winch must be operated with care and concern by the operator for the equipment and a thorough knowledge of the machine's performance capabilities. The following recommendations are offered as a general safety guide. Local rules and regulations will also apply.

!WARNING!
Failure to obey the following safety recommendations may result in property damage, injury or death.

1. Read all warning tag information and become familiar with all controls before operating winch.
   
   
2. Never attempt to clean, oil or perform any maintenance on a machine with the engine or prime mover running, unless instructed to do so in this manual.
   
   
3. Never operate winch controls unless you are properly positioned at the operators station and you are sure personnel are clear of the work area.
   
   
4. Assure that personnel who are responsible for hand signals are clearly visible and that the signals to be used are thoroughly understood by everyone.
   
   
5. Ground personnel should stay in view of the operator and clear of winch drum. Do not allow ground personnel near winch line under tension. A safe distance of at least 1-1/2 times the length of the unspooled cable should be maintained.
   
   
6. On machines having hydraulically, mechanically and/or cable controlled equipment or attachments, be certain the equipment is blocked securely before servicing, adjusting and/or repairing the winch. Always apply the parking brakes before dismounting a vehicle.
   
   
7. Inspect rigging and winch at the beginning of each work shift. Defects should be corrected immediately.
   
   
8. Keep equipment in good operating condition. Perform scheduled servicing and adjustments listed in the "Preventive Maintenance" section of this manual.
   
   
9. An equipment warm-up procedure is recommended for all start-ups and essential at ambient temperatures below +40°F (5°C). Refer to "Warm-Up Procedure" listed in the "Preventive Maintenance" section of this manual.
   
   
10. Worm gear winch clutches may disengage and drop or lose control of a load if they are not fully engaged at the beginning of a lift or pull. The winch operator must visually determine that the clutch is fully engaged before lifting or pulling a load. Check drum clutch to be certain that the negative draft angle is clearly evident on the clutch and drum lugs. Replace a worn sliding clutch, clutch plate or cable drum. Do not use the winch if the negative draft angle is worn straight or the edges of the clutch lugs are rounded or chipped.
    
    
11. The winches described herein are neither designed nor intended for use or application to equipment used in the lifting or moving of persons.
    
    
12. Do not exceed the maximum pressure, PSI (kPa), or flow, GPM (LPM), stated in the winch specifications for hydraulically driven winches.
    
    
13. Match winch line speeds to job conditions.
    
    
14. Leather gloves should be used when handling winch cable.
    
    
15. Never attempt to handle winch cable when the hook end is not free. Keep all parts of body and clothing clear of cable rollers, cable entry area of fairleads and the winch drum.
    
    
16. When winding winch cable on the winch drum, never attempt to maintain tension by allowing winch cable to slip through hands. Always use "hand-over-hand" techniques, being careful to keep hands and clothing away from winch drum and fairlead rollers.
    
    
17. Never use winch cable with broken strands. Replace winch cable.
    
    
18. Do not weld on any part of the winch.
    
    
19. Use recommended hydraulic oil and gear lubricant.
    
    
20. Install guarding to prevent personnel from getting any part of body or clothing caught at a point where the cable is wrapped onto the drum or drawn through guide rollers.
    
    
21. Install switches or valves which will shut off power to the winch in locations where they can be reached by anyone entangled in the cable before being drawn into the winch or any "pinch-point"."
    
    
22. "Deadman" controls, which automatically shut off power to the winch whenever the operator leaves his station, should be installed whenever practical.
    
    
23. Never allow anyone to stand under a suspended load.
    
    
24. Avoid sudden "shock" loads or attempting to "jerk" load free. This type of operation may cause heavy loads in excess of rated capacity, which may result in failure of cable and winch.