Alternative to hand winch - hi-lift jack

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Originally Posted by adonuff

Hi
I can see how you could get 2 pulls using a a long and short chain how would we get 2 pulls from the highlift when using a snatch strap???

This might be a safe way of recovering a stuck vehicle if you were one up, leave the handbrake on tension up the strap get in and move forward your thoughts??

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Gidday,

Yes, it works but takes a bit of figuring for each given situation. Firstly, this system assumes you have enough distance between anchor point and vehicle to use the whole length of snatch and a bit of chain (length to suit) as well. The chain is between snatch strap and hi-lift. I have a couple of chains that I can adjust or set the working lengths and so when using a snatch strap I simply estimate how much stretch or force I want and make sure I have at least that amount of chain between the two. No two situations have been the same and so no one solution applies to all but if you have a variety of recovery gear, a bit of nerve and time, things usually happen for the better. Things can go bad though so the usual disclaimer etc...

I have been out 'practising' a few times where while not stuck have still gone out and attached it all to see what things are capable of and all the how-to's etc. Makes actual recovery work a slightly more experienced thing rather than learning on the job. Fun too to see other marques driving up and start scoffing at me only to see me pack up 'mid-recovery' jump in and drive away when things get 'crowded'. Don't like crowds. ;)

Since installing the old Thomas winch I have not needed to use any other method for self-recovery (the reliability of this old thing is great). Mid mounted with the rope still only exiting the rear, I have not needed the hi-lift for anything other than lifting. Soon now I will route the rope through to the front and have all the extra versatility this will bring.

A snatch strap should NEVER been used like this. The last thing you want is the vehicle unexpectedly moving which could very well happen doing it this way. Use the right gear, an extension strap or another length of chain

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Originally Posted by cookiesa

A snatch strap should NEVER been used like this. The last thing you want is the vehicle unexpectedly moving which could very well happen doing it this way. Use the right gear, an extension strap or another length of chain

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Never say never, I agree with you that it's not IDEAL to use a snatch strap with a high lift.
I can see where it MAY be used as a last resort at certain times.
It's harder using a highlift as a winch than a "turfer", ask my son;)
DON'T use a snatch strap if vehicle is "bottomed out", just dangerous if if resting on the diff ect..
MAYBE if a wheel is on a rock ledge ect. that you can't "pull" over.
It is only to help gain momentum, NOT to "drag" the car.
Your not trying to move the vehicle with the strap just assist by given a little extra "pull".
Remember the hand brake should be on when using this method so your not actually winching it.

Like all things, SAFETY 1st.
This method is down the list of options.

Sigh :unsure:

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Originally Posted by cookiesa

A snatch strap should NEVER been used like this. The last thing you want is the vehicle unexpectedly moving which could very well happen doing it this way. Use the right gear, an extension strap or another length of chain

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If you read back a few pages you'd see the context of how I use this method. I am out there on my own 95% of the time and this way I can load up the strap and hop in and control my truck rather than let it flop around at the whim of gravity. Gravity can be a real bugger when you are about to either flop on your side or fall over the side of a drop... self-loading a snatch like this is all about having a far more controlled exit where one is available.

It is but one method amongst many I can and have used to extricate myself from certain situations... note also I have two straps I can use, one with loads of stretch and one with a small amount of stretch available.

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Originally Posted by windsock

In saying that about using stretchy ropes, I have actually used the method outlined by Alien D2/Landrover mag. Load the snatch strap by two pulls of the hilift and drive out using the loaded stretch. I use this method in the rocks or muddy tracks when a controlled direction of movement or exit is required. If I am pulling the truck and am not in it, it (the truck) tends to follow gravity. By loading up a snatch strap and then driving off the load, I can control direction and distance. Handy when there is a drop-off or when climbing big rocks in the river bed (not rock-crawling just getting over big rocks). I have two straps I use for this, a specific snatch strap, and an ARB winch extension that has a small amount of 'give'.

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How much stretch (if any) is in the ARB Purple winch extension strap? I have one in the truck but have not yet had the oppertunity to use it.

I also have the Orange coloured ARB snatch strap that gets used alot...but never for anything else apart from snatch recoveries.

Thx.

Snatch straps have a stretch of ~20% while winch extension straps have a stretch of ~5%. These figures would vary between manufactures, materials, etc. Dyneema synthetic rope extensions have less than half the stretch of a strap (~2%).

See here for an ARB comment: http://www.arb.com.au/getting-starte...aprecovery.php

Cheers
KarlB