3
GENERAL SAFETY
RECOMMENDATIONS
Safety for operators and ground personnel is of prime
concern. Always take the necessary precautions to
ensure safety to others as well as yourself. To ensure
safety, the prime mover and drive must be operated with
care and concern by the operator for the equipment,
and a thorough knowledge of the machine’s perform-
ance capabilities. The following recommendations are
offered as a general safety guide. Local rules and
regulations will also apply.
1. Read all warning tag information and become
familiar with all controls before operating winch.
2. Never attempt to clean, oil or perform any main-
tenance on a machine with the engine running,
unless instructed to do so in the service manual.
3. Never operate drive controls unless you are prop-
erly positioned at the operators station on the prime
mover and you are sure personnel are clear of the
work area.
4. Assure that personnel who are responsible for hand
signals are clearly visible and that the signals to
be used are thoroughly understood by everyone.
5. Ground personnel should stay in view of the prime
mover operator and clear of capstan. Do not allow
ground personnel near capstan line under tension.
A safe distance of at least 1½ times the length of
the rope should be maintained.
6. On machines having hydraulically, mechanically
and/or cable controlled equipment, be certain the
equipment is either lowered to the ground or
blocked securely before servicing, adjusting and/or
repairing the drive. Always apply the prime mover
parking brakes and lower equipment before
dismounting the prime mover.
7. Inspect rigging, drive and hydraulic hoses at the
beginning of each work shift. Defects should be
corrected immediately.
8. Keep equipment in good operating condition.
Perform scheduled servicing and adjustments
listed in the “Preventive Maintenance” section of
this manual.
9. An equipment warm-up procedure is recommended
for all start-ups and is essential at ambient
temperatures below +40° F (4° C). Refer to
“Warm-up) Procedure” listed in the “Preventive
Maintenance” section of this manual.
10. Be sure of equipment stability before operating drive.
11. The drives described herein are neither designed
nor intended for use or application to equipment
used in the lifting or moving of persons.
12. Do not exceed the maximum pressure (PSI or kPa)
or flow (GPM or LPM) stated in the drive specifi-
cations.
13. Operate capstan line speeds to match job
conditions.
14. Leather gloves should be used when handling rope.
15. Never use rope with broken strands. Replace
rope.
16. Do not weld on any part of the drive.
17. Use recommended hydraulic oil and gear lubricant.
18. Keep hydraulic system clean and free from con-
tamination at all times.
19. Periodically inspect the overall condition of the
capstan, paying particular attention to the sharp
corner of the lock-pocket as shown above. DO NOT
use capstans with a worn lock-pocket or missing
spring.
20. Spool the free end of the rope neatly on the
ground, avoiding the rope becoming tangled around
your feet and/or legs.
21. If the original capstan pin is replaced with a bolt,
it MUST be a grade 8 with a self-locking nut.
22. Load ratings or line pulls of capstan drives are
dependent on the motor used and whether or
not the unit has the high capacity option. Be sure
the load you intend to place on the capstan is
within the rating of your particular unit. Refer to
publication PB-215 for unit ratings.
23. Install guarding to prevent personnel from getting
any part of body or clothing caught at a point where
the rope is wound onto the capstan. Appropriate
guards should be installed around exposed portions
of the capstan shaft.
24. Install switches or valves which will shut off power
to the winch in locations where they can be reached
by anyone entangled in the rope before being drawn
onto the capstan or any “pinch point”.
25. “Deadman” controls, which automatically shut off
power to the capstan drive whenever the operator
leaves his station, should be installed whenever
possible.
Safety Information continued next page.
FAILURE TO OBEY THE FOLLOWING SAFETY
RECOMMENDATIONS MAY RESULT IN
PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY OR
DEATH.
SPRING
SHARP CORNER
OF LOCK-POCKET
“GOOD”
SPRING
OR
WORN CORNER
OF LOCK-POCKET
DO NOT USE