Portable Winch PORTABLE CAPSTAN WINCH PCW5000 User manual

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Introduction
Portable Winch Co. wishes to thank you for purchasing a PCW5000 Portable Capstan WinchTM.
This manual was written to help you make the best use of your new winch and to use it in the
most secure way. Read it carefully before using the winch.For any problems or questions
please refer to an authorized Portable Winch Co. dealer or contact us directly.
1.0 Safety guidelines
The PCW5000 Portable Capstan WinchTM is designed to pull non-rolling objects, usually at a
plus or minus 45 degree angle from the horizontal.
The use of a pulling device implies serious risks of injuries, property damage or even death. Do
not underestimate its potential danger.
1.1 Safety messages
Your safety and the safety of others are very important. You will find important safety messages
in this manual. Read them carefully.
These security messages are warning you of potential injuries to either you or others. Every
safety message is preceded by a warning symbol and one of the following terms:
DANGER, ATTENTION or PRECAUTION.
These indicator words mean:
You WILL be MORTALLY or SEVERELY INJURED if you do not follow
these instructions.
You COULD be MORTALLY or SEVERELY INJURED if you do not
follow these instructions.
You COULD be INJURED if you do not follow these instructions.

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3.0 Winch usage
MOST WINCHING SITUATIONS PRESENT POTENTIAL DANGERS!
3.1 Rope
STAY OUT OF THE WINCH LINE’S PATH.
3.1.1 Rope type
Use only low stretch rope. We recommend using double-braided polyester rope with a
minimum diameter of 10 mm (3/8''). Maximum rope diameter is 16 mm (5/8"). For most
situations, we recommend using 12 or 13 mm (1/2'') double braid polyester rope. Please contact
us for other rope types suitability.
DO NOT USE 3-STRAND POLYPROPYLENE YELLOW ROPE!
Polypropylene and polyethylene ropes are dangerous for winching because of their
great elasticity and low melt point.
Make sure the rope is not damaged and that it offers an adequate resistance to pull the
load.
STRETCH EQUALS DANGER!
A stretched rope can recoil and cause serious burns as the rope leaves your hand.
All ropes stretch: a longer one more than a shorter one. The more you pull, the more it
stretches.
A stretched rope can also move the load in an unpredictable or dangerous way.
A stretched rope can recoil and bring your hand towards the winch causing severe
injuries. NEVER WRAP THE ROPE AROUND YOUR HAND.
ALWAYS WEAR GLOVES.

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3.3.1 Using a polyester sling (included with the winch)
Go around the anchor point with the sling. Insert each end of the sling in one of the safety hooks
located on the winch (figure 1).
AVOID INSTALLING THE
SLING ON SHARP EDGES THAT MIGHT
DAMAGE IT. WHETHER YOU ARE USING A
POST, A TREE OR A STUMP, ALWAYS
INSTALL THE SLING NEAR THE ANCHOR’S
BASE (FIGURE 1).
USING A STUMP AS AN
ANCHOR POINT MEANS PAYING SPECIAL
ATTENTION IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE
SLING FROM SLIPPING OVER IT.
MAKE SURE THE
ANCHOR POINT IS STRONG ENOUGH TO
RESIST THE PULL WITHOUT BREAKING OR
BEING DAMAGED.
Position the winch in line with the load. When the
winch is under tension, it will try to align itself with
the load. The friction of the sling against the
anchor point could prevent correct alignment. If
that is the case, release the tension on the rope and position the sling on the anchor point so
that the tension is equally distributed on both winch anchor hooks.
DON’T DO THIS! WHEN YOU ANCHOR THE WINCH, MAKE SURE
THAT YOU DO NOT DO A COMPLETE WRAP AROUND THE ANCHOR POINT (FIGURE 2).
THIS SET-UP WILL PREVENT PROPER ALIGNMENT OF THE WINCH WITH THE LOAD AND
WILL PUT UNEVEN TENSION ON THE WINCH ANCHOR HOOKS.
3.3.2 Using the hitch plate winch anchor (PCA-1261) for tow balls up to 50 mm (2'')
diameter (sold separately)
1) Push the safety hooks in the rectangular openings of the hitch plate (figure 1 next page).
The rubber plate must be under the winch;
2) Start the winch engine;
3) Slide the plate on the ball hitch and pull the winch forward (figure 2 next page);

3.3.2 Using the hitch plate winch anchor (PCA-1261) for tow balls up to 50 mm (2'')
diameter (sold separately)
1) Push the safety hooks in the rectangular openings of the hitch plate (figure 1 next
page). The rubber plate must be under the winch;
2) Start the winch engine;
3) Slide the plate on the ball hitch and pull the winch forward (figure 2)
4) Wrap the rope around the drum and start winching (figure 3).
NOTE: Do not leave the winch on the hitch with the engine running; the resting position
will cause the Oil Alert device to turn the Honda engine off.

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3.6.1 Wrapping the rope on the capstan drum
NEVER PUT YOUR HANDS ON THE CAPSTAN DRUM, THE ROPE
GU ING.
1) t the engine and let it idle for 30 seconds to warm-up;
pulley and under the drum (figure
4)
feel the tension rising on the rope (figure 3); front pulley are aligned
) Check that the rope does not rub against objects along the path;
8) Pull the throttle up and start winching.
IDE OR THE FRONT PULLEY WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNN
Star
2) Run the rope OVER THE ROPE KEEPER and the front
1);
3) Wrap the rope around the drum (3 or 4 turns) (figure 2);
Bring the rope behind the rope hook (figure 3);
5) Stand about 1 m (3’) from the winch and pull gently and horizontally on the rope to get the
slack until you
6) Look at your set-up to make sure that the winch anchors and the
with the rope;
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3.6.2 Winching
While winching, position yourself away from the winch in order to see both the winch and the
ad. Pull horizontally on the rope. The tension you exert on the rope will keep the winch level.
Do not operate with the winch tilt
lo ed or the Oil Alert™ will kick in.
DO NOT WRAP THE ROPE AROUND YOUR HANDS OR YOUR BODY!
LSO BEWARE OF THE ROPE ACCUMULATING IN FRONT OF YOU; MAKE SURE YOUR
FEET DO NOT GET TANGLED IN IT.
A
CAREFULLY WATCH THE CAPSTAN DRUM DURING THE
OPERATION AND MAKE SURE THAT THE ROPE DOES NOT CROSS OVER ON IT. IF IT
APPENS, RELEASE THE TENSION ON THE ROPE AND STOP THE ENGINE WHILE
UNDOING THE CROSS OVER.
H