Winch re-spool, solo?

[rusty_tlc]

Anybody have a method for re-spooling winch cable single handed?

 

[bigndn]

I used my driveway since it has a fair slope to it. I put the hook on a treesaver strap and stretched it out, attaching it to the winch drum after getting the twist out of it. I set the ebrake to a light setting so there was some resistance, and started the motor. I then operated the control, adjusting things as needed to wind the first layer on smooth and tight, then I adjusted the steering wheel to get the second layer to wind on smooth and tight, etc, etc, etc. Sometimes there's some letting out of line to adjust things, but I think overall it took me about 15 mins. Good luck.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Thanks bigdn.
My drive way is about 3' longer than my FJ40 so that method might not work so well for me.

Assuming I can find a suitable location let me see if I understand your method.
You spool out the line then use the rig to provide resistance while you stand by the winch and rewind the cable onto the spool? So you just walk along with the rig?

I don't think that would work with my 8274, it would be tough to stay out of the way and guide the cable.

 

[bigndn]

Thanks bigdn.
My drive way is about 3' longer than my FJ40 so that method might not work so well for me.

Assuming I can find a suitable location let me see if I understand your method.
You spool out the line then use the rig to provide resistance while you stand by the winch and rewind the cable onto the spool? So you just walk along with the rig?

I don't think that would work with my 8274, it would be tough to stay out of the way and guide the cable.

Yeah, that's pretty much what I was sayin, just walk backwards in front of the vehicle, and make steering adjustments as needed. But, with the added knowledge of your winch being an 8274 (not just 'a doohicky in the front ), I think I'd rather unspool the entire thing and hook it to a log or something and then winch that to the cruiser. If that's still too fast for you to control, double the line back to the cruiser and use a snatch block on the object you're using for resistance. That'd be easier, plus you'd have more control, since you don't have enough room on your own place to do it.

You can always come up to my place if you need more room.

 

[blazinid]

Last friday I took off from work and head into the desert for a little unwinding. I build my new winch bumper and had put my old cable back on the winch but had not tensioned it. So my first attempt to rewind it under a load was to but my truck in neutral and set park brack down a bit after anchoring to a large boulder. I walked along as the truck winch forward. It was hard to get the cable to rewind just right. So I decided to do it over. This time I put my strap around a large rock about the size of a LARGE ROCK. unspooled most of my cable set my park brake all the way down and winch the rock to my truck. This time it was easy to adjust the cable as I needed because the weighted end was away from the winch and I could move the cable much more easily......Does that make any sense?

 

[bigndn]

Does that make any sense?

Yes, that's pretty close to what I said. Makes perfect sense.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Yeah, that's pretty much what I was sayin, just walk backwards in front of the vehicle, and make steering adjustments as needed. But, with the added knowledge of your winch being an 8274 (not just 'a doohicky in the front ), I think I'd rather unspool the entire thing and hook it to a log or something and then winch that to the cruiser. If that's still too fast for you to control, double the line back to the cruiser and use a snatch block on the object you're using for resistance. That'd be easier, plus you'd have more control, since you don't have enough room on your own place to do it.

You can always come up to my place if you need more room.

You read my sig line.

I'm starting to think it would be easier to just drive over to one of my friends house with a six pack and have them help.

 

[e9999]

I know they say to spool it in under load the first time to set things up, but how critical is it to do that later on? I've been just spooling it in using strong hand friction (gloves +) to tension the rope and to arrange it neatly. I was under the impression that if there is no gap in the coil, that it would be OK when winching under fire. Not true?

 

[Niner]

If the cable isn't wound under tension when you winch the next time you can damage the cable on the lower wraps by crushing them..

 

[Blue77FJ40]

I do what bigndn does, re doubling the line. The slower speed works great.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Level Wind

I wonder if that could be adapted to work with a winch?

 

[ohrly?]

i just use my fingers

 

[spressomon]

That's one advantage of a syn line; easy 1-person spool up.

Sorry Dan I know that's not what you wanted to hear .

 

[rusty_tlc]

That's one advantage of a syn line; easy 1-person spool up.

Sorry Dan I know that's not what you wanted to hear .

I don't even want to think about how much weight I would get off the front end if I switched. 150' of wire weighs a lot.