Red Winches Nomad User manual

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Nomad
LOW MOUNT |ELECTRIC WINCH | MILL-SPEC
USER MANUAL
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Contents
About ....................................p3
Safety ....................................p5
Winch Dimensions .......................p8
Winch Overview Diagram ................p11
Winch Exploded Diagrams..............p12
Winch Freespool Diagram ..............p14
Connection Schematic ..................p15
Ox Motor Diagram ......................p16
General Winch Maintenance ............p18
Winch Operation .......................p19

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>Low Mount style winch
>Single motor
>12v / 24v dc
>Twin bearing supported friction brake
>Easy operational Freespool
>Standard and XL drum lengths available
>Drum mounted between high load roller bearings
>Two gearboxes available in same design: 5.5t & 4t
>Two capacity options: 4t (8,800 lbs) & 5.5t (12,000 lbs)
>Average no load rope speed (full length of rope on drum)
5.5t: 4m/min (13ft/min), 4t 7m/min (23ft/min)
>Ox motor fitted on all options for the ultimate power
behind your winching
This winch is a RED Winches designed product, whose designs have undergone
extensive testing. The end user can now enjoy a professional highly engineered,
precision, high performance electric winch capable of operating in the most
demanding of situations. The small compact size combined with its pulling power
and solid billet machined cnc housings make it an ideal winch for maximum impact
when faced with minimal installation space.
Nomad
LOW MOUNT | ELECTRIC WINCH | MILL-SPEC

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>The Nomad Winch
The Nomad is an excellent choice when it comes
to compact, powerful, lowline electric winching for
your recovery needs.
The Nomad is built for your on-road, o-road,
Expedition, or weekend trip vehicle. Allowing you to
explore in confidence no matter the conditions.
RED Winches has designed and developed this winch
for serious use. Reliable, powerful, dependable, it is just
as happy on a large road-going vehicle as it is on a fully
equipped and prepared 4×4 / recovery truck.
This Nomad like all our highly engineered winches is
manufactured from solid billet aluminium.
All our winches use solid copper bus bars that transfer
you vehicle battery power more eciently to the OX
motor, in turn the motor then eciently drives the
gearbox.
>Nomad the Options .......
The Nomad comes with many options to allow the
operator to have what they need for the best recovery
setup on their vehicle.
The winch design comes in two capacities, 4t and
5.5t. Allowing you to choose depending on the rated
capacity of the vehicle mounting or the recoveries you
intend to perform.
The Nomad also has the power connection option of
12v or 24v, allowing it to be used on car based electrical
systems or van / lorry based 24v circuits.
When it comes to controlling your Nomad, we have 3
options. You can use all 3 or just one, the flexibility in
the one winch design is versatile for any situation you
may have on your vehicle:
• Wireless Hand Held Remote (Fitted as Standard)
• Mil-Spec hand Controller with built in LED
• Hard wired switch connections for dash switch
The Nomad is available in a standard drum width, and
an XL drum width. The XL option allowing the user to
gain a great deal of extra rope capacity if needed for
their recovery situations.
The whole winch design allows for the user if needed
to fully service it and rebuild. No castings, bolted
construction and all parts available from RED Winches.
>Gearbox
The gearbox has been specifically designed for
strength, power and ease of service.
The gears are manufactured from chromium
molybdenum steel and case hardened to give maximum
strength (Up to 1230 N/mm2) and excellent durability.
The gearbox runs in grease not oil making it much
easier to service in the field.
Nomad
>Quick Start Guide
1Check winch connections are correctly fitted
and are not loose
2Switch winch isolator on
3Switch Compressor on
4Connect Wireless Controller with base unit
(if used)
5Winch is now ready to be used

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SYMBOL EXPLANATION
Read all product literature
Always wear leather gloves
Always wear hearing & eye protection
Fairlead pinch point
Always use supplied hook strap
Properly seat load in throat hook
Never apply load to hook tip or latch
Never hook back on rope
SYMBOL EXPLANATION
Explosion/Bursting Hazard
Fire and burn hazard
Never route electrical cables across sharp
edges
Never route electrical cables through or
near moving parts
Avoid installing electrical cables around
pinch and wear/abrasion points
Never use winch as a hoist
Do not move people
Wind rope on bottom of drum
SYMBOL EXPLANATION
Never wind rope over top drum
Hand piercing/cutting hazard
Hot surface hazard
Finger/Fairlead crushing Hazard
Exposed wiring hazard insulate exposed
wiring and terminals
Clutch disengaged
Avoid side pulls
Never hook the wire rope back onto itself
Every winching / recovery situation has the potential
for personal injury. In order to minimize that risk, it
is important to read this guide carefully before using
the winch.
Please familiarize yourself with the operation of your
winch before using it and be constantly safety oriented.
In this guide we provide important safety information
and instructions on how to install your winch.
SAVE THIS MANUAL and other product literature
found in this kit for future reference and review
frequently for continuing safe operation.
Instruct all users of this winch product to review this
manual before operating the winch.
>Symbol Index for winch
SAFETY GUIDELINES

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>WARNING >WARNING
>Moving Parts Entanglement Hazard
Failure to observe these instructions could lead to serious injury or death.
Winching Safety:
• Always Know Your Winch. Take time to fully read the Instructions
in Order to understand your winch and its operations.
• Never exceed winch or winch rope rated capacity. Double line
using a snatch block to reduce winch load.
• Always wear heavy leather or approved gloves when handling
winch rope.
• Never use winch or winch rope for towing. Shock loads can
damage, overload and break rope.
• Never use a winch to secure a load.
• Never operate this winch when under the influence of drugs,
alcohol or medication
• Never operate this winch if you are under 16 years of age.
Installation Safety:
• Always choose a mounting location that is suciently strong to
withstand the maximum pulling capacity of your winch.
• Always use class 8.8 metric( grade 5) or better fasteners
• Never weld mounting bolts.
• Always use factory approved mounting hardware, components,
and accessories.
• Never use bolts that are too long.
• Always confirm required bolt length to ensure proper thread
engagement.
• Always complete the winch installation and hook attachment
before installing the wiring.
• Always keep hands clear of winch rope, hook loop, hook and
fairlead opening during installation, operation, and when
spooling in or out.
• Always position fairlead slot so rope does not rub on it during
normal straight line recovery operations.
• Always pre-stretch rope and re-spool under load before use.
Tightly wound rope reduces chances of ‘binding’, which can
damage the rope.
>Moving Parts Entanglement Hazard
Failure to observe these instructions could lead to serious injury or death.
General Safety:
• Always inspect winch rope, hook, and slings before operating
winch. Frayed, kinked or damaged winch rope must be replaced
immediately. Damaged components must be replaced before
operation. Protect parts from damage.
• Always remove any element or obstacle that may interfere with
safe operation of the winch.
• Always be certain the anchor you select will withstand the load
and the strap or chain will not slip.
• Always use supplied hook or spliced loop whenever spooling
winch rope in or out, during installation and during operation.
• Always require operators and bystanders to be aware of vehicle
and or load.
• Always be aware of stability of vehicle and load during winching,
keep others away. Alert all bystanders of an unstable condition.
• Always unspool as much winch rope as possible when rigging.
Double line or pick distant anchor point.
• Always take time to use appropriate rigging techniques for a
winch pull.
• Never touch winch rope or hook while someone else is at the
control switch or during winching operation.
• Never engage or disengage freespool lever if winch is under
load, the rope line is securing an object, winch rope is in tension
or drum is moving.
• Never touch winch rope or hook while under tension or
under load.
• Always stand clear of winch rope and load and keep others away
while winching.
• Never use vehicle to pull load on winch rope. Combined load or
shock load can damage, over load and break rope and winch.
• Never wrap winch rope back onto itself. Use a choker chain or
tree trunk protector on the anchor.
• Never use remote when vehicle is not in line of sight of operator.
• Never pair more than one winch and one remote
together at the same time.
>Warnings and Cautions
As you read these instructions, you will see WARNINGS,
CAUTIONS, NOTICES and NOTES.
Each message has a specific Purpose. WARNINGS are safety
messages that indicate a potentially hazardous situation, which, if
not avoided could result in serious injury or death. CAUTIONS are
safety messages that indicate a potentially hazardous situation,
which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.
A CAUTION may also be used to alert against unsafe practice.
CAUTIONS and WARNINGS identify the hazard, indicate how to
avoid the hazard, and advise of the probable consequence of not
avoiding the hazard. NOTICES are messages to avoid property
damage. NOTES are additional information to help you complete a
procedure. PLEASE WORK SAFELY!
>EMC Regulation
This device complies EMC regulations. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
• This device may not cause harmful interference.
• This device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply. See
separate CE certificate. These approvals are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy, and if not installed and used in accordance
with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference
will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which
can be determined by turning the equipment o and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna (if installed)
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit dierent from
that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

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>WARNING >WARNING >CAUTION
>NOTICE
>NOTICE
>WARNING >CAUTION
>WARNING
>Falling Or Crushing Hazard
Failure to observe these instructions could lead to serious injury or death.
• Always stand clear, keep hands clear, keep others away.
• Never operate winch with less than 6 wraps of synthetic rope
around the drum. Rope could come loose from the drum, as the
rope attachment to the drum is not designed to hold a load.
• Never use winch as a hoist or to suspend a load, its a winch not
a hoist.
• Always be certain anchor will withstand load, use appropriate
rigging and take time to rig correctly.
• Never use winch to lift or move people.
• Never use excessive eort to free spool winch rope.
• Always use proper posture/lifting technique or get lifting
assistance while handling and installing product.
• Always wind the winch rope on bottom (mount side) of drum.
• Never wind rope over top of drum.
• Always spool the winch rope onto the drum in the direction
specified by the drum rotation labels on the winch and/or in the
documentation. This is required for the automatic brake (if so
equipped )to function properly.
>Cut And Burn Hazard
Failure to observe these instructions could lead to minor or moderate
injury.
• Never let winch rope slip through your hands. Always use
recommended gloves / hand protection.
>Moving Parts Entanglement Hazard
Failure to observe these instructions could lead to serious injury or death.
To avoid injury to hands and fingers:
• Never leave winch remote control where it can be activated
during free spooling, rigging, or when the winch is not being used.
• Never leave the wireless winch remote control turned on or
connected to winch controls when installing, free spooling,
rigging or servicing winch, or when the winch is not being used.
AVOID WINCH AND EQUIPMENT DAMAGE
• Always avoid side pulls which can pile up winch rope at one end
of the drum, this can damage winch rope or winch.
• Always ensure the freespool is fully engaged or disengaged.
• Always use care to not damage the vehicle frame when
anchoring to a vehicle during a winching operation.
• Never submerge winch in water, if not IP68 rated.
• Always store the remote control in a protected, clean dry area.
• Never hook the synthetic rope back onto itself because you
could damage the synthetic rope .Use a strap.
• Avoid continuous pulls from extreme angles as this will cause the
rope to pile up on one end of the drum. This can jam the rope
and cause the rope to dive down through other rope layers.
This manual provides instructions on how to install and operate your winch and operating your Wireless Remote Control.
When installing your winch system, read and follow all mounting and safety instructions. Always use caution when working with electricity and
remember to verify that no exposed electrical connections can accidentally be touched before energizing your winch circuit. For specifications
and performance data, refer to the specification sheets and the RED Winches website or give the oce a call if unsure.
>Chemical And Fire Hazard
Failure to observe these instructions could lead to serious injury or death.
• Always remove loose jewellery and wear eye protection.
• Never route electrical cables across sharp edges.
• Never route electrical cables near parts that get hot.
• Never route electrical cables through or near moving parts.
• Always place the supplied terminal boots on wires and terminals
as directed by the installation instructions.
• Never lean over battery while making connections.
• Never route electrical cables over battery terminals. Never short
batter terminals with metal objects.
• Always consult operator’s manual for proper wiring details.
• Always insulate and protect all exposed wiring and electrical
terminals.
• Always connect red(+) power cable ONLY to the positive(+)
terminal of the battery.
• Always connect black ground(-) power cable ONLY to the
negative(-)terminal of the battery.
• Never connect red(+) power cable to the negative(-) terminal of
the battery.
>Moving Parts Entanglement Hazard
Failure to observe these instructions could lead to serious injury or death.
• Always ensure hook latch is closed and not supporting load
• Never apply load to hook tip or latch. Apply load only to the
centre of hook.
• Never use a hook whose throat opening has increased, or whose
tip is bent or twisted.
• Always use a hook with a latch.
• Always ensure the operator and bystanders are aware of the
stability of the vehicle and/or load. Never hook back on rope.

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Nomad
>5.5T & 4T Models Shown
>Standard Drum Width Shown

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Nomad
>5.5T & 4T Models Shown
>XL Drum Width Shown

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MODERN FRICTION BRAKE
DESIGN, RUNNING BETWEEN
A SET OF BEARINGS FOR
PRECISE CONCENTRICITY.
REDUCING HEAT, AND
INCREASING BRAKING
FORCES.
ALBRIGHT MOTOR CONTROLLER
MOUNTED AND PROTECTED
INSIDE CONTROL BOX
MANUAL FREESPOOL CAM
OPERATED STAINLESS
STEEL & SEALED SHAFT FOR
THE ULTIMATE PROTECTION
AGAINST THE ELEMENTS.
ALL ALUMINIUM
PARTS ANODISED TO
25 MICRONS
THICKNESS
PRECISION ENGINEERED
BILLET MACHINED HOUSINGS
AND DRUM ENDS, THE ULTIMATE
IN STRENGTH AND DESIGN
HAWSE FAIRLEAD
ALUMINIUM - CNC MACHINED
WITH LARGE RADIUS TO
EXTEND ROPE LIFE
3 PIECE DRUM SUPPORTED BY
PRECISION DOUBLE SEALED
BEARINGS
THE MIGHTY OX MOTOR
IS A VERY POWERFUL
MOTOR PROVIDING
HIGH SPEED AND HIGH
TORQUE FOR ALL
WINCHING SITUATIONS
ROBUST CONTROL BOX. CNC
MACHINED TO GIVE, ACCURACY,
STRENGTH AND DURABILITY
Nomad
>Features
WINCH CONTROL OPTIONS FROM
ONE CONTROL BOX:
1. WIRELESS (STD)
2. MIL-SPEC PENDANT
3. HARD WIRED DASH SWITCH
MIL-SPEC CONNECTION POINT
FITTED AS STANDARD TO ALL
WINCHES. THIS IS USED FOR
THE HARD WIRED WINCH
CONTROL PENDANT OPTION
(IF ORDERED).

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DRUM FREESPOOL
MANUAL OPERATED
CAM LEVER
POSITIVE 12V CABLE
FROM BATTERY TO BE
CONNECTED HERE
M8 MALE THREAD
MIN CROSS SECTIONAL
AREA OF 50mm2 CABLE
TO BE USED
WARNING
ENSURE POSITIVE CABLE LUG IS INSULATED
FROM ACCIDENTAL TOUCHING AND DOES NOT
TOUCH ANY SURROUNDING PARTS OR MOTOR
BUZZ BARS
EARTH CONNECTION
FROM BATTERY CAN GO
ON EITHER ONE OF THREE
M8 THREADED HOLES
MIN CROSS SECTIONAL
AREA OF 50mm2 CABLE
TO BE USED
OX MOTOR
12v OR 24V
OPTIONS
GEARBOX
HOUSING
HAND CONTROLLER
HARD WIRED (4 PIN)
• WINCH IN
• WINCH OUT
• ILLUMINATED LED TORCH
NOMAD
>Connection Diagram
SERIAL
NUMBER
M6 THREADED HOLES
QTY: 2
MIL-SPEC CONNECTOR
(4 PIN)
4M (12FT) CABLE
LED BUTTON TORCH
• PUSH: ON
• PUSH: OFF
MOTOR VOLTAGE RATING
(12V - 24V)
WINCH IN 12V
SUPPLY FROM
ROCKER SWITCH
ON YOUR DASH
WINCH OUT 12V
SUPPLY FROM
ROCKER SWITCH
ON YOUR DASH
EARTH WIRE FROM
VEHICLE TO PROVIDE
EARTH TO CONTROL
BOX EQUIPMENT
MIL-SPEC CONNECTOR
FOR PLUG-IN PENDANT
(4 PIN)

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NOMAD
>Wireless Handset

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F1 (M8)
BRUSH PACK AT
THE FRONT OF THE
MOTOR HERE
F2 (M8)
A (M8)
WITH THE APPROPRIATE
ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY SETUP
THESE OX MOTORS WILL PROVIDE
HIGH SPEED AND HIGH POWER FOR
YOUR WINCH.
EARTH CONNECTION
FROM BATTERY CAN GO
ON EITHER ONE OF THREE
M8 THREADED HOLES
70mm2 CABLE TO BE USED
WARNING
NEVER ALLOW THE OX MOTOR TO OVERHEAT OR STALL
THIS SITUATION CAN DAMAGE THE ARMATURE AND THE MOTOR CAN FAIL
NOMAD
>OX Winch Motor

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MOUNTING BOLTS
M12 X 16 CAP HEADS ARE FITTED FOR OUR ASSY PROCESS ONLY.
THESE BOLTS ARE TO BE REMOVED PRIOR TO INSTALLATION
FASTENERS
ENSURE ALL FASTENERS ARE TORQUED TO THE CORRECT
VALUES. LOCTITE 234 (THREADLOCK) TO BE APPLIED ON
ALL FASTENERS
UNLESS SPECIFIED
FASTENER TORQUE
M6 10 Nm
M8 24 Nm
M10 45 Nm
M12 80 Nm
M16 160 Nm
M20 200 Nm
NOMAD
>Exploded Diagram
WINCH BODY
STD / XL VERSIONS
FREESPOOL
LEVER
GEARBOX
HOUSING
END COVER
CONTROL BOX
STD / XL VERSIONS
HAWSE FAIRLEAD
STD / XL VERSIONS
OX MOTOR 12V / 24V
VERISON: MA-03
DRIVE SHAFT
STD / XL VERSIONS
DRIVE
PLATE

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ROPE SIZE vs LENGTHS:
STD DRUM:
39m (210’) of 9mm (5/16”) Dia rope
36m (120’) of 10mm (3/8”) Dia rope
30m (90’) of 11mm (7/16”) Dia rope
25m (82’) of 12mm (1/2”) Dia rope
XL DRUM:
60m (210’) of 9mm (5/16”) Dia rope
58m (200’) of 10mm (3/8”) Dia rope
45m (160’) of 11mm (7/16”) Dia rope
36m (120’) of 12mm (1/2”) Dia rope
STANDARD WINCH RECOVERY HOOK
STANDARD WINCH RECOVERY HOOK
Nomad
>Rope & Hook
ROPE NOMINAL RECOMMENDED DIAMETER: 11mm
MBS (MIN BREAKING STRENGTH) - 115kN / 11,702kg / 11.5t
ROPE FOR WINCHING AND RECOVERY ONLY
MATERIAL: 12 Strand UHMWPE
BENEFITS: Low stretch, high strength,
Easy to splice,Excellent abrasion resistance,
Flexible and easily handled, Good UV resistance
No recoil, No wire splinters,
12 STRAND BRAIDED CONSTRUCTION:
Optimised pitch to yarn twist - improves strength & longevity.
Firmer round rope, aids handling.
Easy to splice.
Flexible product and easily handled.
Torque balanced.
HEAT SET AND PRE-STRETCHED:
Maximises strength/diameter ratio.
Minimises elongation.
COATED FIBRE
Specially formulated polyurethane coating.
Improves abrasion resistance and durability.
Increases friction, aids handling & splicing.
Colour: Black as standard
RELATIVE DENSITY: 0.97 (oats).
UV RESISTANCE: Very good.
MELTING POINT: 140oC.
CRITICAL TEMPERATURE: 80oC.
ALL WINCHES
COME WITH OUR
PLASMA LOCK AS
STANDARD.
THE RELIABLE,
AND SIMPLE WAY
TO CONNECT YOUR

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These notes are general guidelines only. Also
use your own judgment when to service the
winch based on the activities where the winch
has been used.
GENERAL NOMAD WINCH MAINTENANCE
>General Maintenance
• Check the battery regularly. Ensure that it is in good
condition and is fully charged.
• Check that all of the connections are clean and tight.
Corrosion on the battery connections can aect the
performance of the winch. Ensure that the battery
connections are tight.
• The winch is protected from water and rain, but
avoid submerging the winch for a prolonged time,
particularly if the winch casing is warm / hot.
• If it does become submerged, once clear, run the
winch in and out for about 10 meters of rope to
generate heat inside the winch to help dry the inside
of the casing.
• Only clean your winch with soap and water, then rinse.
DO NOT PRESSURE WASH THE WINCH. This can
force water past the seals and gaskets.
• If you were not the last person to use the winch,
always inspect the full length of the winch rope before
applying any load to it.
• Have the winch serviced regularly at an authorised
RED Winch centre / Partner / Distributor.
• See Service record sheet at the back of this manual
>Basic Trouble Shooting
Powers in only one direction
• Faulty Albright solenoid, damaged remote control
or remote control cable. Check remote control plug
pins for damage. Check wireless remote correctly
connected.
Completely Dead
• Burned motor, poor earth, discharged battery, faulty
isolator switch, damaged earth wire, damaged remote
control cable or switch. Check remote control pins for
damage. Check isolator switch is on. Check power is
getting to the winch.
Low Power
• Check the condition of the battery and if the alternator
is charging correctly, check the voltage to the battery.
Are the battery terminals corroded or the cables
damaged?
• Turn o any electrical items in the vehicle; Radio,
lights, heated seats etc.
Winch Will Not Free Spool
• Warped mount plate, winch rope bound up on one
side of the drum, bent drum flange or gear damage
inside the winch.
• Check freespool lever is fully dis-engaged
Winch Motor Gets Hot Very Quickly
• Overloaded or stalled during winching operation, Poor
earth to battery, worn motor, water or mud in motor.
Check the load is not heavier than the rated load.
Check all connections and cables.
• Connecting power cables are too small.
Winch Brake Will Not Hold
• Worn friction material or brake overheated from
extended period of powering out.

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OPERATION OF
YOUR WINCH
A REFERENCE GUIDE
TO WINCHING

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WINCH HANDLING
>Estimating Winch Loads
Before attempting to move a rolling load with a winch,
an estimate of the load should be made to ensure
that the safe working load limits of the winch and any
supporting equipment is not exceeded.
If there is a solid resistance that prevents the load from
moving, the winch must not be allowed to operate
in a situation where it is overloaded; the forces and
electrical loading on the vehicle this creates may
become excessive. The load to be recovered must be
able to move as freely as possible. Before winching it
might be necessary to dig out a trapped wheel or dig
away any part of the terrain upon which is resting any
part of the load apart from its wheels.
There are two factors which should be added together
to arrive at a total load:
The maximum inclination of the ground, even if it is only
a short section; for instance a pot hole or a tree root.
On sloping ground a factor has to be allowed for the
gradient as follows:
Divide the gradient angle in degrees by 60, and multiply
that by the load being pulled. Therefore ascending a
30° gradient with a vehicle weighing 2,250 kg would be:
30° / 60 = 0.5 x 2250 = 1125 kg
The pull required to move a vehicle varies depending
upon the type of ground upon which it stands.
The required pull as a percentage of its weight is as
follows;
A 2250kg Vehicle in shallow mud would be:
2250 / 100 x 35 = 788kg
Therefore to calculate the true load when pulling up an
incline, add the previous calculation for the gradient to
the calculation for the ground condition:
Gradient 1125Kg + Ground 788kg = Total estimated
load 1913Kg
Hard Surface 5%
Grass 15%
Wet Sand 15-20%
Soft Dry Sand 25-30%
Shallow Mud 35%
Bog/Marsh where chassis is not grounded 50%

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>Operating Capacity
The maximum operating capacity of the winch is
aected by the number of wraps of rope around the
drum, and consequently whenever operating a winch
recovery, as much winch rope should be removed
from the drum as possible to maximise mechanical
advantage prior to applying the recovery load.
The pull rating of the winch is based on the rope being
on bottom layer, or 1st layer of wrap around the drum.
Please note maximum drum loads cannot be achieved
for long periods on most electric winches.
For operations requiring periods of prolonged use, the
load needs to be considerably below the winch rated
pulling figure on bottom layer.
This helps when deciding when to use a pulley system
(RED Winch Snatch Rings or Pulley Blocks) to improve
the mechanical advantage of the winch.
Other types of winch e.g. Mechanical or hydraulic
are able to sustain maximum rated load for longer
durations.
>Vehicle Electrical System
It is important to understand how much power is being
drawn from the battery by the winch.
It is important whatever winch you install, you find out
what the draw is from your winch and the maximum
draw the vehicle systems can deliver.
Always use the correct sized electrical power cable,
using cable too small will result in the winch motors
being starved of current, increased resistance and
potential motor failure.
Make sure your Earth / negative connections to the
winch are the same size as the positive connections.
A battery cannot recharge as quickly as it is discharged.
Increasing the engine revs while winching, and consider
increasing the revs between winches will help to
maintain the charge.
On most vehicles, maximum alternator output is
achieved at approximately 1800 rpm.
Winching without the engine running will discharge the
battery rapidly and is not recommended as you will end
up with a battery that can no longer start your vehicle
THE NOMAD WINCH
LOADING AND ELECTRICAL SUPPLY

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WINCH ROPE CARE AND INSPECTION
GUIDELINES – SYNTHETIC
The life of a synthetic rope can be increased through
good working practices and care. Synthetic ropes
must be regularly inspected for damage. RED
Winches recommend that winch ropes are always
checked before use.
Under PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment
Regulations - UK only), work equipment should be
inspected every 6 months.
Always refer to the Manufacturers Guidelines.
>Handling Guidelines
• Do not over load or shock load the rope. This can
cause damage which is not visible, but could cause
the rope to break later. (A shock load is a load that
is 10 % greater than the recommended load, applied
suddenly.)
• Do not bend the rope through an angle that is less
than 6 times its diameter. (9mm x 6 = 54mm)
• Rope life can be prolonged by keeping it clean
and dry.
• Do not clean ropes using a pressurised hose. (This
can force abrasive material in to the fibres.) Remove
rope and wash in a container of cold water. Allow the
rope to dry before loading it back onto the drum.
• Synthetic ropes can be damaged by direct contact
with chemicals and in some instances, the fumes from
them.
• When the rope is not in use, protect it from UV light
by using a winch cover.
• Synthetic rope can be weakened if exposed to heat.
(Usually an overheated drum).
• Do not winch out under load if using an electric winch
that has an over run brake enclosed within the winch
drum.
• Where possible, do not allow the rope to come in to
contact with the ground. Do not tread on the rope.
This can lead to the ingress of abrasive material.
• Ropes should be marked with a unique number.
A history of rope use should be kept. This should
include inspection dates.
RED Winches recommends you inspect a winch rope
before using it.
In all commercial applications ropes must be
inspected under PUWER every 6 months. Always refer
to the Manufacturers Guidelines.
• Inspect the entire length of the rope. The outer fibres
of the rope will become fluy during normal use.
• Look for areas of inconsistency. These include lumps,
bumps or flat areas. These can be the result of shock
loading and the rope should be destroyed.
• Damaged ropes should always be destroyed to
prevent subsequent use.
• Generally if 25% or more of the fibres are broken, the
rope should be destroyed.
• 12 strand ropes should be destroyed if 2 or more
adjacent strands are cut.
• Rope can be damaged by direct heat, from the
drum for example, or from heat caused by excessive
friction. High temperatures can invisibly, reduce the
strength of the rope.
• Chemical contamination can cause areas of
discolouration, as can UV light. Determine the cause
of the discolouration and destroy the rope if it is
brittle or sti in these areas.