Could someone please explain to me

[Kevin B]

Hi All.

could someone please explain to me the term Layer when realated to winching I.E Layer 1, 2, 3, 4 and how it works

excuse my ignorance as im resonable new to winching and am looking at all the specs before i think about buying one

Thanks all

Kevin

[Landover]

The term layer refers to the layers on cable on the drum. If the cable is all the way out you are on the first layer. As it rolls in and the cable rolls back over it's self then that's the second layer ect.

As the cable layers go up the gearing ratio is changed as the drum is now a larger diameter.

[PhilipA]

It's pretty simple.
On the drum there will be a bolt at one end that holds the end of the rope.
You always roll the rope onto the drum from this bolt towards the other end.
This is the first layer. The winch is most powerful using this layer simply because the gear ratio is the lowest.
Once you wrap the rope to one end of the drum, you the start to reverse direction so that the second layer goes towards the other end. Unless you do this you end up with a bunch of rope at one end which is BAD.
AND so on.
You should try to keep the wraps tight against each other or particularly with wire the next layer can jam in between the previous layer.

Just like you should wind a hose onto the hose keeper or you end up with a bunch of hose at one end.
Regards Philip A

[Kevin B]

The term layer refers to the layers on cable on the drum. If the cable is all the way out you are on the first layer. As it rolls in and the cable rolls back over it's self then that's the second layer ect.

As the cable layers go up the gearing ratio is changed as the drum is now a larger diameter.

Thanks for that, so a 12,000lb winch with the cable all the way out (1st Layer) will pull Max rated and a cable all the way in (4th Layer) will pull approx half that, thats accoring to the particular winch specs i looked at, would that be right?

[PhilipA]

Yes.
So that is why you always try to get a winch point which is at least as far away as the winch rope length and if necessary use an extension strap.. Unless you choose a closer one and use a snatch block to double the pull.
Individual circumstances will usually decide this for you!
Regards Philip A

[Kevin B]

Thanks for the responses guys, a simple question that i know know the answer too

[NavyDiver]

"The maximum pulling power is only possible with one layer of cable on the drum. The line pull reduces significantly for each layer of cable left on the drum. A 9,000-pound winch, for example, has a line pull of 7,500 pounds with three layers of cable on the drum.

Another reason it’s important to choose the right line pull is amp draw. That same 9,000-pound winch will draw 460 amps with a 9,000-pound load, and 255 amps at 4,000 pounds. Unless you have two big batteries and two high-output alternators, you won’t be able to sustain 460 amps for long. And the winch will overheat even if you could provide that much juice.

Pinched from (I mean credit to) Off-Road Recovery Winch Anatomy - Four Wheeler Magazine