Tips For Using the Backcountry Winch

Tips For Using The Backcountry Winch

When using the winch it is important to read and understand the procedure to effectively use the winch safely. The instructions are posted at https://backcountrywinch.com/specifics .  If you have questions please reach out to info@backcountrywinch.com to get the right answers.  This winch is a great tool for keeping in your vehicle for emergencies, pulling your ATV, or clearing brush on your property.  Here are a few tips to making the experience more efficient and productive.

1.      Install both the anchor and the tow lines first with the purchase system.  Using more purchases (Pulleys) will give more power and reduce the abuse to the winch.  We suggest using more then you think you will need.  Loads like pulling stakes or stumps can put a lot of stress on all the mechanisms. 

2.      Attach the winch body – Use 3 wraps on the winch usually works for most applications

3.      Attach power mechanism-  A Drill is the preferred method to power the winch due to the speed, but the provided handle works great when you don’t have a power source.  Use the low speed setting on your drill and never use impact drivers. 

4.      When winching pull the tail line through the brake mechanism. Also if you are lowering a load make sure to keep the tail line in the brake mechanism to keep everything in control.

5.      Only use light pressure on the tail line and let the winch do the work. Add more pulleys to the system if you find yourself pulling hard on the tail line.

6.      Be creative on how you rig your pulls.  For example you can use a tripod for pulling stakes vertically or change your anchor point to change the direction.  Using wheels or rollers to reduce the drag.

7.      Never overload the winch-  The winch will break if it is overloaded.  If you find pulling the tail line really hard is needed, or if  you find the power mech bogging down, you will need more pulleys in the system, or the tow is stuck on something.

8.      Carry  the winch in your car all the time. It could help you if you slid off a snowy road or could help in other emergencies.   Also the Backcountry Winch is a great addition to your snowmobile or ATV recovery kit.  

3 Great uses for your Backcountry Winch

3 Great Ways To Use Your Backcountry Winch

1. Loading equipment – Using the Backcountry Winch to load equipment into a pickup/trailer reduces pain in your back as well as less time hassling your neighbor. Use the winch to help with plants, equipment or vehicles into the back of the pickup. The Backcountry Winch can be attached inside the truck/trailer or onto the winched item which allows the operator to help steer the load into position. Make sure you are clear of the load if it shifts unexpectedly and that the operator has a good set of ramps and is aware how to use them. The heavier the tow is, will require more purchases (2:1 to 4:1) in the tow line and make the operation less physical. A 20V drill on low speed makes quick work.

2. Yardwork – The Backcountry Winch is a great tool around the yard or farm. Its versatility makes it a great tool to pull brush up a hillside, help pull a stump, pull stakes, or skid small logs. Using the mechanical advantage provided by the winch I have pulled stakes from the ground, pulled plants and small trees as well at help pull tension on a stump. Anyone that has removed a stump knows that it either takes some big expensive equipment or many hours with a shovel, axe, and saw. The Winch provides a third hand when pulling stumps by adding tension to the root system, and allowing the operator to dig-out and cut roots. I found that increasing the Purchases on the Backcountry Winch to as high as you can (4:1 Should work), and rigging the anchor line around the stump, allowing the winch to twist out the stump rather then pull straight. One caution is to not overload the winch by pulling too hard. Pull tension, then dig and cut, then pull more tension and repeat. Also keep the winch body on the stump and the anchor to another tree. This keeps the operator from having to walk to the tree and back again to apply more tension. When pulling something that is in the ground it is easy to overload the equipment when the tow gets stuck on roots, or rocks. Make sure nothing is hung up. I found that creating a simple tripod out of Steel pipe, allowed the winch to easily pull vertically for items like fence posts.

3. Pulling a stuck vehicle – The Backcountry Winch is a great piece of equipment to keep in any vehicle. It is small (under 3 lbs), packable and portable. The added insurance of having it is invaluable. This is not an offroad winch. If you need an offroad winch, go get one with all the accessories like bumpers and electrical wiring. Those winches do a great job for their intended purpose. The Backcountry Winch is great for lighter duty work like helping a vehicle back on a snowy road or pulling a motorcycle back onto a trail, as an accessory for your ATV, or as a great companion on a snowmobile. The great thing with the Backcountry Winch is that it is not permanently mounted to the vehicle so it can easily be packed off a trail to use where the vehicle cannot reach and the tow is only limited by the length of the line allowing for longer pulls or the ability to attach to a distant anchor. Keep the Backcountry Winch as an accessory in your emergency kit.

The Backcountry Winch is a powerful, versatile winch. Be creative on how you use it and be safe while operating it.