Lowering with a winch

TimNWVic

TimNWVic

Active Member
I just had to lift my river pump up as the river is rising - I currently use 2 winch extension straps attached to a tractor to slide the pump sled up the rails. It works but it's a 2 person job, and getting the sled aligned with the bolt holes is a prick of a job as the extension straps stretch a bit so the sled doesn't move smoothly.

This would be a lot easier with an electric winch, so I'm thinking it's a good excuse to finally put a winch on the front of my Ranger. Lifting the pump would be a simple one man job. My question relates to lowering the pump back down when the river drops - is it possible to lower something under control of the winch? ie can you control the reversing of the winch with a load on it?

I'd guess the pump and associated sled frame and pipework weigh around 500kg, it slides on steel rails which has a fair amount of friction. It would be a lot less load than say lowering a disabled 4wd back down a slope (assuming the 4wd had no braking), but I can't say I've ever seen anyone actually do that with a 4wd.

As far as 4wd recovery winching goes it's something I'm unlikely to ever use, but it would be comforting to know it's there if I need it. Considering the Runva 11XP or similar.
 
cam04

cam04

Well-Known Member
Absolutely you can. If you have a long run id suggest getting a winch with steel cable or winch in short runs taking breaks to let the drum cool down. Low mount winches pay out against the brake so they get quite hot in reverse. Dyneema rope starts failing at fairly low temps hence the warning.
 
TimNWVic

TimNWVic

Active Member
OK, thanks. It's only about 8-10m to move at one time but appreciate the heads up on temperatures I'll keep an eye on that.

Noted on the safety aspect. I would think it's a safety upgrade as currently the tractor driver can't see the pump and other person (it's over the top of the river bank) so only connection is via mobile phone. With the winch on the Ranger I would have a visual link from winch to pump, and I'm assuming I would have direct control via the winch remote anyway.
 
cam04

cam04

Well-Known Member
They become extremely useful tools with a couple of snatch blocks, a strop or two and some chain. I use mine for work much more than play. Yes, having a remote control basically replaces a human - and removes you from any firing line.
 
ipch

ipch

Member
The only problem i see is that your winch has a brake in the out direction. As you lower the pump the winch will be working against the brake. With a lot of continued use the brake will eventially ware out but as you said this doesn't happen very often.

Go for it i say but just be aware that the brake MIGHT start to slip eventially.

Ian...........
 
TimNWVic

TimNWVic

Active Member
ipch said:
The only problem i see is that your winch has a brake in the out direction. As you lower the pump the winch will be working against the brake. With a lot of continued use the brake will eventially ware out but as you said this doesn't happen very often.

Go for it i say but just be aware that the brake MIGHT start to slip eventially.

Ian...........
Click to expand...
It's not a common occurence - lifted and lowered maybe once every few years, once a year at most.
 
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