Quote:
Originally Posted by Industrialwrench
...You can always use mechanical advantage to increase pulling power without increasing motor load, the increase goes to the anchor points though...
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The increase goes to all of the mechanical components in the system, not just the anchor point. The anchor, the hardware at the end of the cable, the cable, the winch, the mounting components of the winch, and where the winch is mounted (you could have bullet proof mounting of the winch to the bumper and crappy welds between the bumper and the frame).
I've seen a winch destroyed on one of our brush trucks (it was due to negligence...luckily no one was harmed, maimed, or killed!) that broke the winch cable, broke the gears inside the winch, broke the winch mount and bent the bumper of the truck.
This phenomenon is a huge consideration in the rope rescue realm. Setting up Z-rigs or 4:1 and 5:1 mechanical advantages means you really have to watch what your multiplied load will be compared to the breaking weight of your rope, as it is incredibly easy to destroy your rope with 1 or 2 people pulling when you have enough mechanical advantage. Obviously the weight of a rescuer and victim plus the associated equipment on them will not overcome the rope rating, but you absolutely can do this when setting up complicated rigging for rescues.
Not to mention hos much more cable or rope they will take, and how little movement you get...a 4:1 mechanical advantage will move the load one inch for every 4 inches of rope/cable slack that is pulled.
I think we can all agree that vehicle recovery is just a dangerous business, no matter how you slice it. Whether it is using an electric winch, come-a-long, tow strap, chains, etc.
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-ReD
Firefighter/Licensed Paramedic
*SOLD* 2000 4Runner Limited 4x4
2020 Ford F-150 3.5L EB
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