Recovery Component Failures (Pix?)

[Rocky_LC]

Can people please describe (illustrate with pictures) recovery equipment failures they have observed?

I realize winching is a hazardous business, and I am interested in trying to get a look at the most common failure points to ensure I avoid any obvious "weak points".

For example, there's posts here about $15 Ebay 20,000 lb snatch blocks. Are these prone to failure? Misaligned Clevises (Remeber the thread about the washers?)? Bumpers Pulled Off? Or are the tow straps / cables / cable splices the common failure points.

By the way, is a winch cable with a locking hook better than one without? Is there a reason most of the winch hooks I see don't have a lock tab on them?

Thanks -

Rocky

PS. I just got a Warn 8274, and am checking it out / getting my gear together. I don't want to waste money on poor equipment that would need to be replaced.

[miked]

I'm trying to find that picture of a hole blown through a head rest by a winch hook...

[jonheld]

Originally Posted by Rocky_LC

I realize winching is a hazardous business, and I am interested in trying to get a look at the most common failure points to ensure I avoid any obvious "weak points".

Rocky,

Statements like that should be applauded. Too many folks take this stuff lightly IMO. The one thing I can really recommend is to purchase quality products from reliable sources. I like recoverygear.com. They are not the cheapest but they do sell top quality webbing and other items. Also, don't cut corners on this stuff. All my webbing is 3". I would never consider going with 2". Recovery situations can get ugly in the blink of an eye. There's no such thing as too much and total overkill is just about right. I like the Amsteel synthetic winch line. I also have a MasterPull "super yanker" in 1"x20'. That's great for giving others a gentle tug as it eliminates shock load.

[lcruzrlvr]

Jon's comments are right on. Buy the right gear - spend the money.

I believe the weak points in winching (and off-roading) are mainly between the ears as people just don't look for the hazards and don't think about the what-ifs.

Here is a nice write-up on recovery techniques and safe winching.

Winch Tech - The Basic Guide to Winching Techniques by Warn

[BHMCruiser]

Good advice all. Don't screw with a winch unless you know what you are doing and you take all the proper precautions, and then you are even a little more careful than that.

[BiG BoB]

When using hooks without retainers, I use either a cable zip tie, or a bit of fencing wire to hold the recovery gear in position on the hook.

I don't always have an option as to what I'm using (as a lot of the time I'm in work vehicles), but when I'm buying/installing gear I always choose hooks with the retainer, or my preference is for (rated) rings to attache shackles etc to.

Sean

[RockDoc]

Nothing really to add. I'm in the same boat, new 8274, want to make sure I am using proper equipment and techniques. Picked up an ARB pulley block, should check my tree savers for rating. Have some rated D-rings. I've been keeping a list of ratings - working or failure load - in my glove box so I can verify things BEFORE tempting fate in the field, probably a good idea...

Thread subscribed.

[High Desert]

Not a failure, but a problem, used my 8274 to pull a huge Juniper off a fence, rigged the snatch block and pulled off several layers of cable before winching, In that It was a short pull I did not leave the engine running, pulled up the emergency brake left it in neutral, dragged the tree off no big deal, (that thing is a pulling SOB!) however, as the resistance increased when the tree branches dug in the last few feet, the rig started dragging toward the load...Kinda wondering what people do on snow when no anchor is handy and your pulling another rig out?

I would think wrapping the chains (not putting them on, using them as a chock and use my "logging" chain as a chock too) around the base of the tires would help or anchoring to another rig if there is a third rig? what else?

[flintknapper]

Originally Posted by High Desert

Not a failure, but a problem, used my 8274 to pull a huge Juniper off a fence, rigged the snatch block and pulled off several layers of cable before winching, In that It was a short pull I did not leave the engine running, pulled up the emergency brake left it in neutral, dragged the tree off no big deal, (that thing is a pulling SOB!) however, as the resistance increased when the tree branches dug in the last few feet, the rig started dragging toward the load...Kinda wondering what people do on snow when no anchor is handy and your pulling another rig out?

I would think wrapping the chains (not putting them on, using them as a chock and use my "logging" chain as a chock too) around the base of the tires would help or anchoring to another rig if there is a third rig? what else?

Anchoring to another rig would of course be the easiest solution, sans that...here is what I use:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/camping-gear...follow-up.html

[High Desert]

FlintKnapper,

Good tool I saw that post when it was running..course i forgotaboutit when I asked my question..

I could bury it in the 6 foot snow banks that the two lane roads are sandwhiched between...yeah that't the ticket..Hell I could carry a old steel wheel and bury that...chain up to it and maybe hold the rig long enough to winch away...

Being a desert rat, I need to build one of those deals anyway..thanks HD

[missipboy]

i think one of the most overlooked safety issues of winching is the recoil associated with a broken cable. draping some weight over the cable to absorb the energy is a must. the synthetic line negates this, but many of us still use the cable. if the line is pinched during a recovery, it could leave a weak point in the line and you may not know it until the next time you pull someone out and it pops and comes flying back towards your highdollar windshield.

[jts560]

Or your highdollar face.

[Otterav]

Hello,
While not a failure, I have a copy of a military manual, Vehicle Recovery and Field Expedients. There is a seller that makes copies and sells them:
Portrayal Press - Military Vehicle Manual Listings
Scroll down to the misc section. The book has more than just recovery, lots of field fixes to get you going.
Hola
eric

[Atoyot1031]

Originally Posted by Rocky_LC

Can people please describe (illustrate with pictures) recovery equipment failures they have observed?

I realize winching is a hazardous business, and I am interested in trying to get a look at the most common failure points to ensure I avoid any obvious "weak points".

For example, there's posts here about $15 Ebay 20,000 lb snatch blocks. Are these prone to failure? Misaligned Clevises (Remeber the thread about the washers?)? Bumpers Pulled Off? Or are the tow straps / cables / cable splices the common failure points.

By the way, is a winch cable with a locking hook better than one without? Is there a reason most of the winch hooks I see don't have a lock tab on them?

Thanks -

Rocky

PS. I just got a Warn 8274, and am checking it out / getting my gear together. I don't want to waste money on poor equipment that would need to be replaced.

I saw those too, and based on the fact that a decent snatch block is at least $60 anywhere else, I gotta believe it's garbage, and definitely not worth risking your life over!