Tirfor hand winches provide immense pulling power and mechanical advantage for dragging, lifting, and tensioning heavy loads. Their unique grip-and-release lever operation allows a single person to move several tons with relative ease. However, using a Tirfor winch takes practice to master. In this guide, we'll teach you proper setup, operation, and safety techniques for harnessing the power of these manual workhorses.
Selecting the Right Tirfor Winch
Tirfor winches come in a range of capacities and cable types. When choosing one, consider:
Line pull capacity - Make sure to match the winch capacity to your load. Light-duty models handle 1-3 tons, while industrial units can pull over 20 tons.
Cable options - Aircraft cable provides the most cut/abrasion resistance. Dyneema synthetic rope gives added flexibility.
Lever design - Two- or three-grip handle assemblies allow for sure grip and upward/downward lever strokes.
For most property/ranch/farm applications, the 3-ton model Tirfor TU-32M is perfectly suited for pulling tractors, trucks, implements and more.
Correct winch setup and anchoring is vital for performance and safety:
Mount the winch horizontally near ground level on a solid anchor like a concrete deadman, large tree, or parked machine.
Position the Tirfor facing squarely in line with the load's direction of travel. This prevents cable damage from side-pulling.
Ensure you have clear standing room to operate the lever arm through full upward/downward strokes.
Attaching Your Load
With your Tirfor anchored in place, attach your load:
Circle the hook through a tow point/hitch and secure with a chain/shackle.
Make sure the hook is completely closed and locked to prevent detachment under tension.
Take up any cable slack to ensure a straight line pull on the load.
Operating the Winch
The unique grip-and-release action sets Tirfors apart from standard winches:
Pump the lever arm upward/downward to take up cable slack and inch the load forward.
Whenever resistance increases, depress the grip release lever and stroke downward to reset the internal mechanism.
Repeat the upward tensioning and downward resetting process until the load reaches the desired position.
Safety Considerations
Despite their manual operation, Tirfor winches still deserve plenty of respect:
Keep yourself and others clear while operating under load due to high tension cable.
Periodically inspect equipment and make repairs immediately to prevent failure under load.
Always pull straight in line with the winch/load to prevent cable damage.
In short, Tirfor winches enable tremendous pulling capacity for a single operator once setup properly. Their unique lever action reduces fatigue while allowing you to work loads far beyond human capability. Our guide outlines the basic yet important techniques for using them safely and effectively.