Winching

Question 1

Where are winches found on ACTF&R appliances

Answer 1

Tirfor winches are found on all heavy rescue pumpers.
Electric winches are found on Rescue 48 and 49 vehicles.

Question 2

Tirfor information

Answer 2

Main uses are:
Secondary stabilisation.
Controlled vehicle lower/ roll over.
Controlled vehicle movement.
Safe working load capacity of 1650kg.
Advantages are its lightweight, portable and is flexible with how it can be used.
Should only pull vehicle from the front only or back only to reduce weight being moved.

Question 3

Electric winch information

Answer 3

Disadvantage is it uses large amounts of current from the battery. Engine should be idled around 1200rpm to sustain battery charge.
Ensure minimum 5 wraps are on cable drum to hold in place as they’re usually only held on with small grub screw.
Not to be used for towing.
Pull as straight as possible.
Use for 30 seconds and allow to cool for 15 seconds before using again.

Question 4

Synthetic rope information

Answer 4

Is smaller and lighter and therefore can fit more length on drum.
Is safer as it has less stored energy under tension than steel cable.
Is not a s robust so care should be taken to avoid damaging the rope.

Question 5

Winching safety points

Answer 5

Always use gloves.
Never allow rope/cable to slide through hands.
Disconnect rigging before working on it.
Never step over rigging under load.
Always use a dampened such as a coat.
Set up rigging to pull as straight as possible.
When rigging is connected say ‘LIVE’ so everyone can hear.
When rigging is disconnected say ‘SAFE’ so everyone can hear.
Only one person in charge.
Chock wheels of winching vehicle.
Stand clear 1.5 times the length of the rigging away.
Stop winching when hook is two meters from fairleads.

Question 6

Natural Anchors

Answer 6

Tree are the most common natural anchor used.
As a guide a healthy tree of 250mm with solid roots can hold 4 tonne.

Question 7

Sling loading angles

Answer 7

Ensure that the angle between both lengths of the sling is kept as small as possible.

Question 8

Shackle safety

Answer 8

Always use load rated shackles.
To prevent shackle binding do up fully then a quarter turn back.

Question 9

Mechanical advantage

Answer 9

Mechanical advantage is when you use a snatch block and return to pint of winching.
This increases the pulling capacity and decreases the load on the cable/robe by half.

Question 10

Hand signals when winching

Answer 10