Increasing the Power of Your Hand Winch

Hand operated winches are powerful tools that can help you to lift or pull several tons with relative ease.  But this isn’t to say that it’s always an easy job.  Whenever you’re using a winch, there’s a lot of elbow grease involved.  To try to make the job as easy as possible and save you some energy, follow these tips to get the most power out of your winch.

You learned, hopefully at a young age, that the shortest way between two points is a straight line.  Use this when you’re winching and try to setup with the winch line in as straight as possible line.  Not only will you have to reel in less cable, but you will also be able to deliver more power exactly where you need it.  If you can’t find an anchor point directly in front of the object being moved or have an off-balance recovery, setup snatch blocks to make sure that they line hits the object being pulled head on.

Snatch blocks also help your winch drive more power.  Letting out twice the amount of line also lets you pull in almost twice as much weight as your winch could usually handle.  They double the length of line, making them great for winching objects that are incredibly close as well, because they take more line off the spool, getting you closer to the maximum amount of power your winch can generate.  This is because all winches are rated on the amount that they can pull with one wrap left on the drum.  The more line that is on the drum, the less power that you will get.

Following these tips will help you use your winch better and more effectively.  You’ll be able to generate more power and lift heavier objects easier.  For more information on buying and using winches, visit the Hand Winch Center.

	Hand Winch - 600-Lb. Capacity Sale Price: $18.30
	Description Line Pull (lbs.): 600, Speeds: 1, Gear Ratio: 3.1:1, Handle Length (in.): 4, Braking: Ratchet with pawl type, Rope Type: Not Included, Strap: Not Included, Drum Capacity Strap (ft.): 15ft. x 2in.

	TEKTON 5553 1200-lb. Hand Winch Strap List Price: $53.99 Sale Price: $21.60
	Description MIT 1200-LB. HAND WINCH (STRAP) features: 1200-Lb. Pulling Capacity, Zinc Plated Heavy Gauge Steel Construction, Smooth-Action, Single Speed Ratcheting Crank with 4:1 Gear Ratio Generates Extra Pulling Power with Less Effort, Ideal for Trailering/Loading Applications: Boats, Personal Watercraft, Lawn Equipment, Etc...

	TEKTON 5552 1200-lb. Hand Winch Cable List Price: $59.99 Sale Price: $21.90
	Description MIT 1200-LB. HAND WINCH (CABLE) features: 1200-Lb. Pulling Capacity, Zinc Plated Heavy Gauge Steel Construction, Smooth-Action, Single Speed Ratcheting Crank with 4:1 Gear Ratio Generates Extra Pulling Power with Less Effort, Ideal for Trailering/Loading Applications: Boats, Personal Watercraft, Lawn Equipment, Etc...

	Neiko 2,000 lb capacity Heavy Duty Strap Hand Winch List Price: $49.99 Sale Price: $14.49
	Description 2000 lb. Hand Strap Winch. This easy mounting winch is perfect for use on pickup trucks, trailers and other mobile applications: Heavy gauge zinc plated steel construction, 2000 pound load capacity, 20 foot, 2"-Heavy nylon strap, Adapts for ratchet or free spool, Hook is 3 3/8"-Long with a 3/4" opening, Smooth operating hardened steel gears

	Master Lock 2953AT 12-Volt DC Portable Winch List Price: $110.36 Sale Price: $56.99
	Description No need to buy a winch for each vehicle or trailer, this portable DC-powered unit mounts to any hitch or flat surface to haul in that boat, vehicle, trailer, and more! The winch can be temporary or permanently mounted to either a ball-mount hitch or a flat surface...

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