How Would You Maintain Your Winch?

Winch maintenance does not seem to be everybody’s cup of tea and people try to complicate it unnecessarily. To keep the winch in perfect working condition, you need to take its optimal care. And it is an absolutely easy process. Usually, in most cases, the winches are maintenance-free. All you need to do is take a few steps to ensure they last longer than usual. 

Here are a few suggestions on how to take their periodic care.

Use the wench regularly

Just like automobiles and other vehicle parts, wenches are also meant to be used regularly. It doesn’t mean you have to get stuck to using the wench. If it has not been used in a long while, you can free-spool it and pull the line out. You can get back to re-spooling it again. The lubrication will get distributed this way and all the gears will get turned. Any probable moisture will be taken out as the motor will move.

Inspect the line and wash the synthetic rope

Avoid using the winch lines that have been compromised in any way. Try using the best ones, irrespective of whether it is steel or synthetic rope. Unspool the winch rope periodically and inspect for the presence of any damage. You can easily spot out kinks, slices, and frays if present. Try replacing the rope if any damage exists. Synthetic ropes need a bit more care as compared to steel ropes. To ensure their longevity, wash the lines. This will free the grit that is present.

Check the winch for the presence of water intrusion

If your winch is not waterproof and if it has been in the water, it will be better if you open it up and re-lubricate the gears. You need to make sure that there is no water even if it is regularly submerged. It is always better to put them up on a regular maintenance plan if it is getting underwater always.

Periodic winch inspections

It is a beneficial step to have periodic inspections of the entire winch. The inspections would involve ensuring that fasteners are tight and the battery terminals do not have corrosion. The terminals are also secured and there is no debris in the switches and sockets.

All of the above steps will ensure that your winch fairlead is working perfectly and has higher longevity.