Do you have a winch?

[BigRig]

Do you have a winch mounted on your rescue vehicle?

If so, what capacity does it have and how is it powered?

How many snatch blocks do you have to use with the wire rope of the winch?

[firenresq77]

We have a 8000 lb. hitch-mounted winch on our Mini-Pumper. We have receivers on the front and rear of the vehicle......

[Resq14]

Originally posted by firenresq77
We have a 8000 lb. hitch-mounted winch on our Mini-Pumper. We have receivers on the front and rear of the vehicle......

Ditto on both, x 2. Rescue-Engine also has side mount receiver hitches. I believe we only have 1 block per winch.

[lutan1]

The Service I used to belong to went through a huge upgrade in their trucks (F350's & F450's) but did not spec winches into them

We only had the tirfor and the small masdaam puller which is a real shame.

We can't rely on the tow companies as they're not allowed near the accdient until called. (Police will issue fines to any tow company that arrives at the scene or is seen within in XX kilometres of the scene, without being called) This slows down their response time dramatically...

[Lewiston2FF]

We have a 10,000 lb winch on the front bumper of our rescue/engine. We didnt get any snatch blocks because there was the concern that they would be improperly used and overload the wire rope. A training issue I know but it makes life easier. That and the towing companies are usually there pretty quick.

[Weruj1]

we dont gotta notta..............if need be we would call '77's department and hope that 806 will be good to go ..........

[backdraft663]

WE have winches mounted on our rescue, mini pumper, and 2 brush jeeps. Not sure on capacity, we only have one snatch block, its on the rescue, we never use it though. The only time I seen our Rescue use the winch is when it got stuck.

[Rescue101]

L2Capt,Shawn you might want to rethink that one.And you might try to convince the powers to be of the value of BRR.I think my last group of trainees will attest to the power of the snatch block.In fact,I'd bet a few of them are going to win a steak dinner or two as a result of their participation.T.C.

[Lewiston2FF]

Originally posted by Rescue101
L2Capt,Shawn you might want to rethink that one.And you might try to convince the powers to be of the value of BRR.I think my last group of trainees will attest to the power of the snatch block.In fact,I'd bet a few of them are going to win a steak dinner or two as a result of their participation.T.C.

I will take that back, I just found the block on the rescue last night. But I think, based on the width of the sheave, it is for our chain come alongs. I could be wrong though.
The block we do have doesnt get much use though, obviously!

[spearsm]

We have a 12k Ramsey with couple of blocks on Ford 450 Rescue truck. I Could not imagine working with a winch and not have blocks.

[BigRig]

I'll agree, snatch blocks are necessary to provide effective winching. What is the WLL for your blocks?

[backsteprescue123]

On both of my dad's departments heavy rescues, they have a front winch, winch on either side, and one on the rear. I'll have to look up the capacity.

[MetalMedic]

Our new rescue will have one winch that is mounted so that it can be moved to receivers (much like a Reese Hitch) on at least the sides and back (and I think the front) of the rig. The winch is 12VDC electrical with quick-connect plugs at each receiver.

We had a discussion about snatch blocks recently and I believe we will have one. Not as much for the purpose of developing extra leverage, but more for the unusual case where we need to change the angle of the cable so as to maintain a 90 degree angle with the receiver on the rig.

[Rescue101]

Richard,Please give serious consideration to getting two.It allows you the freedom to do so much more and they aren't that expensive for that size winch. T.C.

[HFRH28]

We have a truck mounted 12K# Ramsey with ramsey bumper and a 8K# truck mounted with just regular bumper, winch mount and brush guard. If my memory serves me right, we have 2 recovery grade snatch blocks per truck. If you want to consider this, we have a wrecker and a Roll-back also. Three of us on the dept also drive for the local wrecker service part time, and the wrecker service is the Highway Patrol's "roation" for our area. So wherever we go, he goes, unless it involves a heavy rig.

[Halligan84]

12K Ramsey (rated) on Rescue. We have 2 snatch blocks for multiplying force and change of direction. One of the problems to watch for with an electric winch is the required amp draw at full capacity (far exceeded the capacity of the electrical system) and for any winch the fact that its rated capacity is only with one layer of wire rope on the drum. The snatch blocks allow some more capacity and flexibility to change direction.

[arhaney]

We have a 12,000 lb on our rescue truck (electric), one 12,000 lb our brush truck (electric), and PTO powered on our 6 X 6. No snatch blocks.

[Rescue101]

A winch without snatch blocks is kinda like a human in the Artic,or Desert with no foot gear. Compromised!Any vehicle sporting a winch should have at least TWO snatch blocks for all the reasons listed previously.And the training to go with it. T.C.

[Firefighter164]

My Department has a winch on our Squad truck, which responds to all MVI's, i am unsure of the wieght on that winch though.

[BigRig]

Ok, hopefully you've got some snatch blocks. What is the sheave pitch diameter of them? Does it maintain a minimum of a 12:1 D/d ratio?

Also, what is the WLL of the winch's wire rope? That may surprise you, and limit your winch capacity if you choose to establish some sort of safety parameter for the strength of the wire rope.