winch maintenance?

[PuddleJumper]

So i know quite a bit of us run these awesome recovery tools. but i was wondering if anyone else bothers to maintain it. I do quite a bit of recovery and as such i try to keep in the best condition possible. i replaced my line the other day, it lasted about a 2 years of heavy use. I generally unspool it when i wash my truck, check connections, inspect the control box, etc. I've never split the case, but i have split the control box to cleanit out after i submerged it once. has a little surface rust and whatnot but still works fine. anybody else?

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[HooliganActual]

So i know quite a bit of us run these awesome recovery tools. but i was wondering if anyone else bothers to maintain it. I do quite a bit of recovery and as such i try to keep in the best condition possible. i replaced my line the other day, it lasted about a 2 years of heavy use. I generally unspool it when i wash my truck, check connections, inspect the control box, etc. I've never split the case, but i have split the control box to cleanit out after i submerged it once. has a little surface rust and whatnot but still works fine. anybody else?

You know, that's an interesting question. It's probably a good thing to do. In a previous life, I was the Director of Maintenance & Reliability for a Fortune 50 company and I would say that a good PM program is a must.

However, in 40 years of Jeeping and winching, I have never done any maintenance other than replacing worn/damaged cables. My current 3 Jeeps are the only synthetic lines I've ever had and I've yet to replace any of them...but then I never get stuck so the winch lines never get used

 

[PuddleJumper]

You know, that's an interesting question. It's probably a good thing to do. In a previous life, I was the Director of Maintenance & Reliability for a Fortune 50 company and I would say that a good PM program is a must.

However, in 40 years of Jeeping and winching, I have never done any maintenance other than replacing worn/damaged cables. My current 3 Jeeps are the only synthetic lines I've ever had and I've yet to replace any of them...but then I never get stuck so the winch lines never get used

im to stupid to not get stuck and so are my friends.

 

[HooliganActual]

im to stupid to not get stuck and so are my friends.

Seriously though, I know you were making a joke referencing my tongue in cheek joke, but literally, you and your friends getting stuck is the best preventive maintenance you can do for your winch.

Almost every time I've dealt with someone having a failed winch out on the trail is because they can't remember the last time they used it. I've seen things like having spooled it incorrectly and damaging the cable/line years ago and not used it since; years since they used it and the wiring had loosened and lost ground; once the guy couldn't even find his remote and had no idea where it was.

Using the winch regularly and spooling it correctly is probably the best thing you could do for your winch.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Seriously though, I know you were making a joke referencing my tongue in cheek joke, but literally, you and your friends getting stuck is the best preventive maintenance you can do for you winch.

Almost every time I've dealt with someone having a failed winch out on the trail is because they can't remember the last time they used it. I've seen things like having spooled it incorrectly and damaging the cable/line years ago and not used it since; years since they used it and they wiring had loosened and lost ground; once the guy couldn't even find his remote and had no idea where it was.

Using the winch regularly and spooling it correctly is probably the best thing you could do for your winch.

yes sir. run mine like a dog. when you use things you also keep a better mental note of its condition. its how i knew to change the line.

 

[HooliganActual]

@PuddleJumper I know you and I are commenting in the other winch thread about the winch cover as well, but honestly, I think one of the smartest things anyone serious about their winch or it's use could do is carry one of these two things:
1) A FID tool to splice a broken winch line, or
2) A spare winch line in case your winch line breaks and you don't want to learn how to splice a line using 1) above

 

[PuddleJumper]

@PuddleJumper I know you and I are commenting in the other winch thread about the winch cover as well, but honestly, I think one of the smartest things anyone serious about their winch or it's use could do is carry one of these two things:
1) A FID tool to splice a broken winch line, or
2) A spare winch line in case your winch line breaks and you don't want to learn how to splice a line using 1) above

i have a spare line and i've only broken a line once. it was the first 10 ft. so i just tied a new loop/knot and used a soft shackle. worked alright for someone who had no idea what i was doing. FID tool would be cool tho. first time ive heard of it.

 

[KrashEd]

After looking at a new Smittybilt winch gearset years ago, I crack open the gearbox and apply standard NLGI2 high pressure grease on each winch I install (at installation). Adds some piece of mind. I also try to clean contactor connections and spray with dielectric when in there.

 

[PuddleJumper]

After looking at a new Smittybilt winch gearset years ago, I crack open the gearbox and apply standard NLGI2 high pressure grease on each winch I install (at installation). Adds some piece of mind. I also try to clean contactor connections and spray with dielectric when in there.

solid advice.

 

[Animal]

4wd 24/7 posted a Instagram reel about washing synthetic winch line recently should be included in one of their upcoming full length YouTube videos. Might even be out and I just haven't seen it yet.

 

[PuddleJumper]

4wd 24/7 posted a Instagram reel about washing synthetic winch line recently should be included in one of their upcoming full length YouTube videos. Might even be out and I just haven't seen it yet.

I'll definitely give it a watch

 

[KevinM60]

I just installed my winch in December.
Except for pulling somebody out of the sand on my first trip out with it all I’ve done is unspool it and rewind it once a month to lube the mechanisms as my user manual instructed. I like to be proactive on things so the procedures shown here are a very good idea.

 

[PuddleJumper]

I just installed my winch in December.
Except for pulling somebody out of the sand on my first trip out with it all I’ve done is unspool it and rewind it once a month to lube the mechanisms as my user manual instructed. I like to be proactive on things so the procedures shown here are a very good idea.

sounds like a good plan.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Maintaining one's winch is of paramount importance for ensuring its reliability and longevity. Regular inspections, such as cleaning connections and assessing the control box for any signs of wear or corrosion, are commendable practices. Replacing the line after heavy usage is a wise precaution to maintain optimal performance. While splitting the case may not always be necessary, occasional checks for internal integrity are prudent.

its been 2 years since i got it. think i should split the case and check grease?

 

[Hootbro]

its been 2 years since i got it. think i should split the case and check grease?

He writes like a AI Bot would.

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