MAINTENANCE AND BEST MOUNTING LOCATION FOR AN ATV WINCH

AnATV winchis a mechanical device and should be cleaned, inspected, and serviced on a regular schedule. The frequency will depend on the operating conditions and location that the winch has been mounted.

A winch that is mounted low will require maintenance more often than one mounted high. When the winch is mounted low, it can be submerged in water and mud more often. Whether the winch is being operated or not, this water and mud can get into the gear sets, bushings, and motor. These contaminants are very abrasive and corrosive to the internal components of a winch and will degrade the lubrication as well. Under these circumstances, it will be necessary to remove the winch for total disassembly, cleaning, inspection, and lubrication. Not performing these maintenance items can lead to premature failure and/or expensive repairs.(See Photos)Even though your winch may be under warranty, you are still responsible for all necessary maintenance and proper operation.

The Warn 3.0 ATV Winch is the only sealed winch on the market at this time and should still be serviced at least once a year. Other ATV winches are not sealed and will require more frequent attention to service.

A dangerous operating condition to watch for is “Cable-Stacking”. This is a condition that can occur as the winch cable is being taken in. The cable will generally stack to one side or the other of the cable drum. When this takes place, the outside diameter of the “Stack” can exceed the parameters of the winch. This can severely damage the winch cable, tie rods, end housings and/or the entire winch.

When the winch is mounted on a low fixed mount, the operator can be subjected to many difficult problems.

• Having to dig down in the mud to gain access to the winch when stuck.
• Not being able to observe the winch to prevent “Cable-Stacking”.
• Creates a high maintenance situation.
• The winch is mounted only on the front and does not provide the option of rear placement. Many times you will want to winch back out of trouble.

Due to the above conditions, one can start to appreciate the advantages of a high mounted winch. Montana Jack’s strongly recommends the use of our “Accessory Receiver System” for mounting your ATV winch. The winch, being mounted higher, will be less likely submerged in water and mud. Also, the winch is well exposed and at a comfortable level. This will allow the operator to see and work with the winch, preventing “Cable-Stacking”. Not only does this system allow the best option for winch placement on the ATV, front or rear, it will also allow the use of our “Montana Jack’s Accessories” to expand the cargo space and utility capabilities of the ATV.

WINCH BRAKING, DYNAMIC AND MECHANICAL

There are two types of brakes commonly used on ATV winches. Most allWarn ATV winchescome standard with “Dynamic Braking”. This is a resistance type of brake that is created by the winch motor. This type of brake should hold approximately 500 pounds. If your ATV rolls back on steep inclines, you may want to check yourwinch controlsfor proper working order and/or add amechanical braketo your winch. The mechanical brake is a friction type that is normally optional and is easy to install. The two brakes combined will normally create enough braking energy to be equivalent to the capacity of the winch.

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE

DO NOTuse a winch that is in disrepair or awinch cable and/or hookthat has been damaged or heavily worn in any way. Doing so, could result in severe injury or death to you and/or others. A winch is a powerful tool and can be very dangerous. Always use a winch with utmost caution. Read and understand your winch owner manual and Warn’sThe Basic Guide to Winching Techniques.

BEING PREPARED

Having a winch on an ATV is a good idea. But to make the winch effective, the operator should want to be prepared with all the necessary winch hardware. For example, the 50 feet of winch cable that most ATV winches come with may not be long enough in many cases. In this event, the winch could be useless. In speaking with many of our customers about winching, there are many items available that they simply were not aware of and have found them to be very useful.
For your convenience, we have prepared a list of these items for your evaluation.

Winch Extension Cables
Parallel Gripping Pliers
Clevises and Quick Links
Tow Straps and Tree Trunk Protectors
Snatch Blocks
MJ Winch Accessory Kit
Warn Winch Accessory Kit
Warn Winching Gloves
Safety and Riding Glasses
Tool and Hardware Boxes

We hope that you have found this information to be useful. Please remember that we are here to help. If you should have any questions, please call us toll free at1-877-463-2344(8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday thru Friday, Mountain Time) and ask for Technical Support. Thank You!