Winch Question

[pfrederi]

My M37 got a short work out today. Tomorrow is opening of deer season here and the neighbors (weekender's) were up. They got their F250 and a tandem axle equipment trailer mired in the mud. Took Dora (Dora Dodge) over and winched them both out. (Had to do the F250 twice as he got stuck driving back out to the road). I had to go home and get my 1953 Case DC to move the trailer out to the road...(Dora doesn't have a ball hitch)

Anyway here is my question...How do you guys get the winch cable straightened out and back on the winch after a use. In the past I have used a sheet of plywood with some cement blocks on it (or my wheel horse garden tractor with the brakes set) as dead weight. Then with the better half working the winch and heavy leather gloves I rewind the cable. Is there a better way??? It is getting colder and the wife is less willing to come out side and operate the winch....

[Lifer]

As far as I know, unless you have a "level winder" (like on a bait-casting fishing reel), laying the cable evenly on the drum has always been a 2-man job.

[Tom @ Snake River]

No other way to do it. I try to hook at least a 30 lb. weight out on the end and pull it in. Tom

[SOTVEN]

I do it all alone every time, and I have two ways to do it. The first way is to find a flat field, unreel all the cable but 3-4 turns and drag my spare tire. After I engage whinding I get out of the truck and with a pair of gloves I occationally help the cable, allthough if the place is flat enough no help is needed. The other way which I use more often is find a field with a light slope and something steady (like a thick post, tree or something) on its highest point. Aim the winch up the slop and towards the stationary object. unreel all but 6-8 turns, which you try to compress manually to the end of the drum while the cable is loose. Reverse the truck slowly to put tension on the cable. If the cable has "sat" the way you wanted, engage and start whinding. You will slowly go up to the tree. I usualy find a very light slope, engage two clicks of my emergency brake and this way I can go in and out of the truck while it moves to inspect how it is reeling. In case the cable goes loose, the brake will stall the truck long enough for me to get in. The second way is more prefferable because it reels at heavier load making the winch more ready to use. All the cable in both cases reels in perfect lines and from side to side. Always however put a couple of blankets on your cable to restrain it from flying around in case it is torn, as you would do while winching a load. Also always inpect the line from fraying and torn marks. Finally apply lots of common sense and be carefull at all times. Never have your hands near the reel while its working. I cut my own firewood every year and all the trees I cut, I drag them to the road with my winch, so I have used the above methods many times, in the past five years.