Secure the recovery vehicle with a tree strap and clevis.

In pulls where the recovery vehicle has poor traction or the stuck vehicle is badly bogged down, the winch may end up moving the recovery vehicle instead of the stuck vehicle. To keep this from happening, secure the recovery vehicle to another vehicle or to a solid natural anchor point, such as a tree or large rock.

Use a recovery tow strap to anchor the recovery vehicle to another vehicle behind it. Or use a tree strap and clevis to secure the recovery vehicle to tree or natural anchor.

Silverback Recovery Winch with
Free Spool Function

Make sure the free spool clutch is always fully engaged or fully disengaged. Using the winch with the clutch in between gears can keep the winch from operating properly and cause major damage. Also, never try to disengage the clutch while the wire rope is under tension or engage the clutch while the drum is turning.

Note: Extreme cold can make the clutch harder to shift. Don’t force the clutch. If the clutch is in the disengaged position and won’t engage easily, pull out some cable and then try again. If the clutch is in the engaged position and won’t disengage easily, tap the power out button on the winch remote before trying it again.

8000 lb Winch Snatch Block

Attaching the Winch Snatch Block

Snatch blocks are designed to attach to the cable without having to remove the load or take apart the pulley. Just open up the side plate by rotating it, then attach the block to the cable.

Setting Up a Single Line Pull with Snatch Block

To straighten out a pull or to route the winch rope around an object:

1. Attach the snatch block to an anchor point in a straight line with the winch.
2. Then attach the other end of the cable to the load (if winching out another vehicle) or to a solid anchor point (if recovering your own vehicle).
3. Use a tree strap or chain to secure the snatch block to the anchor point. Do not wrap a chain around a tree; use a tree strap to prevent damage to the tree.

How to redirect an angle pull using a snatch block
(Used with permission from JonFund and 4WheelDrive)

Setting Up a Double Line Pull with Snatch Block

To double the line for more winch power or to spool out more cable when the anchor point is too close to the vehicle:

1. Attach the snatch block to the cable.
2. Then freespool the cable out to the anchor point.
3. Attach the snatch block to the anchor point with a tree strap or chain.
4. Then attach the end of the cable to a solid mounting point on the frame of the vehicle for self recovery.

Self Recovery with a Double Line Pull
(Used with permission from JonFund and 4WheelDrive)

Recovering another vehicle with a double line pull
(Used with permission from JonFund and 4WheelDrive)

Snatch Block Ratings

Remember that a double line pull places double the stress on your mounting points, cable, and winch tools. Make sure all tools, including the snatch block, are rated to double the winch capacity if you plan on pulling the maximum load.

Snatch block rated up to 20,000 pounds

1. It gives you more pulling power.
2. It takes a load off of your winch.
3. It gives you more options for rigging up (double line pull, straighten an off-kilter pull, etc.).

Winch snatch blocks are designed to operate safely under heavy loads. They are made to handle different strengths. Higher rated snatch blocks are made from stronger, thicker materials.

What size snatch block do I need?

If you plan to pull up to twice the capacity of your winch with a double line pull, make sure the snatch block is rated up to double the maximum load your winch can handle. If you only use the snatch block to straighten a pull, you can get by with a lower rating.

Generally an 8000 pound snatch block is strong enough for a double line pull with any ATV or UTV winch. For Jeep and truck winches, double the capacity of the winch to find the recovery snatch block rating (16K, 20K, and larger).

How big are they?

Like most other winching tools, snatch blocks are small enough to easily be tucked away in a corner of your vehicle (for recovery snatch blocks) or in the tool kit for your quad (for ATV/UTV snatch blocks).

Why do I need a snatch block?

A snatch block is useful for a variety of reasons, including the following:

• It increases pulling power.
• It increases the amount of winch line spooled out.
• It doubles the pulling power and cuts the strain on the motor in half by using a pulley system.
• It lets you straighten out a pull.
• It lets you double or even triple the line for hard pulls.

When rigging up a double line pull, keep in mind that it will also reduce the line speed by half and double the amount of stress placed on the mounting points.

Keep the winch motor from overheating by taking breaks on long pulls.

Electric winches are designed for intermittent pulls. If you need to winch over a long distance, take breaks to let the motor cool down. If the motor becomes uncomfortable hot to the touch, that means you need to give it a break. Once the motor cools down, you can start winching again.

Long pulls or hard pulls (such as up a steep incline) put a bigger strain on the motor, causing heat to build up faster. Because of the extra load, you may need to let the winch cool down more often for these types of pulls.

Winch remotes are a safe and convenient way to control your winch. Here are a few tips and tricks for using your winch remote.

Wireless Winch Remote

Store the remote in a clean, dry, protected place. Some wireless winch remotes come with a keychain. That way you are less likely to lose the remote and the remote will stay clean and dry along with your keys.

If your wireless remote doesn’t come with a keychain, you may want to add one. You can also modify your corded or wireless winch remote with a magnet for convenience. Just stick the remote on the hood while you rig up for the pull. A magnet keeps the remote out of the way but handy when you need it. It also keeps the remote from dangling in mud or water.

Another way to keep the winch remote handy is to run it over the hood and hang it over the door mirror (for a truck) or handlebars (for an ATV). Don’t let the remote control cord dangle in front of the winch, as it could get caught in the cable or moving parts.

If you operate the winch from inside the vehicle, simply pass the remote over the hood and through the side window to avoid pinching the cord in the door.

If you have a corded remote, always disconnect the cord from the winch when the remote is not being used. Don’t connect the remote until after you spool out the cable by hand and the clutch is in the engaged position.

12000 lb Vehicle
Recovery Winch

When using another vehicle as an anchor point, you may need to secure the recovery vehicle in order to keep it from getting dragged towards the stuck vehicle. You can either secure the recovery vehicle to a natural anchor point, such as a tree, or you can rig up a string of 2 or 3 vehicles to provide a stronger anchor for the recovery.

When securing the recovery vehicle to a tree or another vehicle, use a vehicle recovery point with sufficient strength, or you could bend the frame of the vehicle. Never use the bumper as a recovery point.

If you don’t have strong enough rear recovery points, try rigging up to two front recovery points on the front of the vehicle, running the strap or chain underneath the vehicle, and using a tree strap to anchor the vehicle to a tree.

Try to line up the recovery vehicle with the stuck vehicle for a straight line pull. A straight pull is more efficient than an angle pull, and it puts less strain on the winch and cable. Use a snatch block to straighten out the pull as needed.

Before you’re ready to start winching, make sure the recovery vehicle is solid. Put the vehicle in neutral (stay in 4-Lo for the greatest resistance) and set the hand brake. Block the wheels to keep the vehicle from moving.

Finally, never use a recovery vehicle that’s not heavy enough or strong enough to handle the force of the pull, or you could damage or stretch the frame or other vehicle components.

Winching Gloves

1. Always wear thick leather gloves when handling steel winch cable. Burrs and frays in the rope can slice into your hands, which can be pretty painful. If you forget to bring gloves, use a heavy rag or double up a piece of thick material to handle the rope.
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2. Replace your leather gloves at the first sign of wear. If the gloves are worn out, burrs can easily slice through the thinning leather and cut up your hands.
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3. Avoid handling the wire rope more than necessary. Use the hook strap as much as possible to keep the cable from roughing up your hands.
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4. DO NOT let the rope slide through your hands. To guide the rope, move hand over hand down the length of the cable.
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5. Use the hook strap to unwind the cable. Keep your fingers out of the winch hook, fairlead, drum, and any other winch parts that could pinch your fingers. Also, don’t let your clothes or other accessories get caught in the winch drum or any other moving part of the winch.
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6. Finally, use the corded remote or wireless controls to operate the winch, and stand as far away from the path of the winch line as possible.

Instructions on how to use the free spool knob on your ATV winch.

Step 1: Turn the knob in the direction marked FREESPOOL.

Step 1: Rotate the freespool knob on the winch to the “freespool” position as shown in the picture to the right.

WARNING: If there is a load on the drum, the freespool knob may not move easily. DO NOT FORCE THE FREESPOOL KNOB! Release tension on the winch drum by letting out some of the cable. Forcing the freespool knob may cause the knob to break.

Step 2: Spool out the cable and secure the winch hook to an anchor point or load.

Step 4: Turn the knob in the direction marked ENGAGED.

Step 4: Re-engage the drum by rotating the clutch back to the “engaged” position as shown in the picture to the right.

WARNING: The freespool knob must be fully in the “engaged” position before winching. NEVER attempt to move the freespool knob while the drum is turning.

NOTE: The free spool instructions for your winch may differ from the above instructions. Check your winch manual for instructions specifically designed for your ATV or recovery winch. Also, the free spool direction on your winch may differ from the above images.

An electric winch is a powerful recovery tool. Used correctly, it provides massive amounts of power to pull out your ATV or truck. With the right tools and rigging, you can pull up to two or even three times the maximum rating of your winch. The key to maximum power is knowing how to use your recovery equipment to its full potential. With these recovery tips, you’ll be winching your way out of even the toughest spots just like the pros.

Snatch blocks increase pulling power.

If you want to double the power of your winch, or if the anchor point is too close to let out enough cable for a strong pull, use a snatch block to double the line. Using a snatch block will double your load capacity and will allow you to spool out more cable to reach the maximum rating of your winch. For even more power, you can rig up a triple line pull. However, use caution with double and triple lines. As the strength of the pull increases, so does the amount of stress placed on each rigging point. Make sure your anchor point is rock solid and can withstand the force of the pull.

The length of cable you spool out also affects the power of the pull. All electric winches are rated based on only one full wrap left on the drum. The more line you spool out, the more power you’ll get. For a maximum power pull, unwind enough cable to leave only one layer on the drum. If your anchor point is too close to spool out enough rope, double the line with a snatch block.

Another trick to squeeze the most power out of your winch is to gas the stuck vehicle. A rolling load fuels the momentum of the pull and eases the strain on your winch. Before starting the recovery, dig out around the tires or build a rock ramp to give the stuck vehicle some traction as it begins to move.

As your winch works harder, it generates more heat. In order to prevent overheating the motor, take breaks if you’re pulling over a long distance and let the motor cool before starting again. Winching places a heavy load on your electrical system, so keep your engine running to prevent a complete drain. In some cases, a stock battery may not provide enough juice to power a maximum pull. Some wheelers swap the stock battery for a heavy duty one, or they install a second battery solely for recovery.

Your winch has incredible potential if you know how to get the most power out of it. With these advanced winching techniques, you’ll have a few more tricks up your sleeve when the pulling gets tough.