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Hand winches lift, lower, or pull heavy objects, but choosing the right one is important. Consider weight capacity, pulling/lifting ability, brakes, material, gear ratio, and handle comfort before purchasing. Electric winches may be best for both pulling and lifting.
Hand winches are great tools that are used to lift, lower or pull heavy objects. Anything from RV roofs to boats to cars to industrial equipment can be raised, lowered or pulled using a hand winch. Choosing the right tool for the job is important. It’s important to know your options before purchasing a winch for a project or job.
First, hand winches are designed to lift heavy objects, but not all are designed to lift the heaviest objects. Some are suitable for lifting objects weighing approximately 500 pounds (226.8 kg). Others can lift much heavier objects, such as those weighing approximately 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg). As a result, it’s important to determine what weight capacity will work best for long-term use.
Next, some hand winches are better equipped to pull an object, such as a car. Conversely, others are designed to lift an object, such as the roof of an RV. Few hand winches can do both well. If a user wants a winch for pulling and lifting, an electric winch may be the best option.
Many manual winches are equipped with brakes, which are often automated. The purpose of the brake on the hand winch is to keep the object attached to the cable from falling, especially if the load is heavy. The brakes can be designed to hold the object in any position. They should also be covered with a case to prevent dust accumulation or to prevent them from weakening from extreme rust or corrosion.
Most winches should be made from heavy gauge steel, particularly if they will be lifting or pulling heavy loads. Unfortunately, even steel can rust, corrode, or weaken. As a result, many winches are plated or coated with materials such as zinc or enamel. Such zinc plating or enamel coatings are ideal for resisting corrosion or rust, keeping winches strong and reliable.
It’s also important to consider the gear ratio when choosing a hand winch. This can come with a small gear ration, for lighter loads, or a large gear ration, for heavier loads. Again, it’s important to research what type of gear ratio will be best for a particular project before purchasing a winch.
Finally, it is important to grip the winch handle to see if it feels comfortable and if the handle turns easily. Some handles may be too small for the user, others too large. Some may seem too flimsy or inadequate for larger loads.
