How to choose a manual winch?

Manual winches have a wide range of uses, from domestic applications to installation work in large industrial plants. They are most commonly used on construction sites, in warehouses, timber yards and building sites.

A manual winch is a device used to lift a traction load by means of mechanical force applied by a person. To choose the most effective tool, you need to consider several types of winches. 

Types of manual winches

1. Drum winches: 

They are mechanisms that are used to lift, lower and hold various types of loads. Their design also includes a gearbox and a drum. There is a cable (or tape) and mechanisms for winding it onto the drum, which rotates due to the impact of a person on the manualle. The cable is wound and pulls the load with a hook. The cable is attached to them with a ratchet, which has good reliability.

They can withstand heavy operating loads and demonstrate excellent strength characteristics.

In the event of a breakdown, such equipment can be quickly repaired and thus avoid the costs associated with purchasing a new one. It’s easy to use and is equipped with a reliable braking mechanism that provides additional safety.

The gearbox is characterized by ease of maintenance. The quality of the metal used in the manufacture of gears is quite important, so it’s not recommended to give preference to cheaper, untested analogues when choosing such equipment. It’s better to choose a well-known manufacturer.

2. Manual lever winches: 

Equipment that uses the operator's pulling power to move the load without the use of electrical power. Due to the presence of a transmission mechanism in the design, even a small amount of physical effort on the part of the operator is sufficient to pull a load weighing up to 8 tonnes to the desired length. 

The lever winch itself is attached to the support with a hook, the other end of the cable is attached to the load by turning the lever, the person pulls the cable (together with the load) through the winch mechanism.

They are compact in size and can operate without being rigidly attached to a support surface. Most are equipped with a telescopic manualle that can be fixed in the desired position, which can significantly increase the pulling force.

A big advantage is the high reliability of the mechanism, thanks to a minimum of moving parts and a simple design.

3. Worm gear winches

An undeniable advantage of worm gear winches is that they are much easier to use. A worm gear winch can be used by users with a minimum of knowledge. To start, the load has to be attached to the cable and to move it, the winch manualle has to be turned;

Such a tool is also characterised by high reliability and a variety of fixing tactics. 

On one side of the winch there is a traction wheel and on the other a disc brake. The traction wheel and the worm gear transmit the rotation to the load sprocket and the gear, which winds or unwinds the chain.

The autonomy of the tug allows it to be used in places far from power lines, including construction sites.

There are also different types of manual winches:

• Manual winch with mechanical brake: These has a mechanical brake that helps to stop the load from being lifted when the manualle stops turning.
• Manual winch with automatic brake: This winch has an automatic brake that helps to stop the load from being lifted if the manualle stops turning. This makes it safer to use, as the load will automatically stop if the manualle is suddenly released. 
• Manual winch with removable blocks: the advantage of the removable blocks is that they increase the mechanical advantage and make it easier to lift the load.
• Manual winch with plastic body: Its plastic body makes it light and easy to use. 

How to choose a manual winch?

In general, it’s important to choose a winch that meets your needs and requirements. Before buying a winch, it’s best to familiarise yourself with information on different brands and models, compare their characteristics and read user reviews.

Let's look at the main selection criteria: 

1. Lifting capacity: The first thing you need to know is the maximum weight the winch you are considering can lift. Determine the weight of the heaviest load you need to lift and make sure that the lifting capacity of the winch exceeds this weight.
2. Material: Typically, winches can be made from steel or aluminum. Steel winches are stronger but heavier, while aluminum winches are lighter but less durable.
3. Brakes: Choose a winch with a mechanical or automatic brake for safety and to prevent the load from dropping suddenly if the manualle stops turning.
4. Cable size: Ensure that the winch cable size meets the load capacity requirements. It’s also important to ensure that the cable length is sufficient to achieve the required lifting height.
5. Brand and quality: When selecting a manual winch, choose a product from a reputable manufacturer to ensure the quality and reliability of the winch.
6. Use: Consider your needs and how the winch will be used. If you will be using the winch to lift heavy loads, it’s better to choose a winch with a mechanical or automatic brake and a load capacity that meets your needs.

If you choose the right winch, it will solve the problem of moving goods, such equipment can be used in various fields, to some extent it can be called universal, but you should keep in mind some safety rules. It’s necessary to check the strength of the winch attachment and regularly check the cable for damage and wear.