Thread: Winch. Overwind or underwind?

depends on the winch too.

could be a problem on a winch with an auto brake, check out why you shouldnt do extended winch outs on most elec winches.


as for the issue with the wire, it will be more prone to internal breakages and twisting, it will try to turn into a spring.

Originally Posted by 123rover50

That is the question.
How important is it to do this in relation to the lay of the wire rope.
My rope is RH lay. ( I think like most).
According to Nobles Riggers Handbook, if I Overwind I have to start the first lay from the RHS.
Problem is my Winch Industries winch only has the clamp for the rope on the LHS.
I could underwind if I install another roller, but really how important is it?

Laying a wire rope on a winch drum incorrectly can cause birdnesting/kinks, etc.
RH Lay: if the winch drum rotates to the rear of the vehicle and wire anchor points is on the right side of the drum, looking from the front, overwind the rope.
If the drum rotates forward and the anchor point is on the left side, looking from the front, underwind rope.
It is good practice to have the rope laid out in a line it's full length, so as to eliminate any twists, Regards Frank.

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

depends on the winch too.

could be a problem on a winch with an auto brake, check out why you shouldnt do extended winch outs on most elec winches.


as for the issue with the wire, it will be more prone to internal breakages and twisting, it will try to turn into a spring.

Hydraulic winch.
Replumbing the system from Bottom PTO on T box to PTO on the MSA G, box. Thread Chev V8 to MSA on here.

Originally Posted by Tank

Laying a wire rope on a winch drum incorrectly can cause birdnesting/kinks, etc.
RH Lay: if the winch drum rotates to the rear of the vehicle and wire anchor points is on the right side of the drum, looking from the front, overwind the rope.
If the drum rotates forward and the anchor point is on the left side, looking from the front, underwind rope.
It is good practice to have the rope laid out in a line it's full length, so as to eliminate any twists, Regards Frank.

Hi Frank. With Drum rotation are you talking about the top of the Drum or the bottom.
My winch is mid mounted under the chassis so idealy I would like to overwind with the top of the drum rotating towards the front looking from the back. This gives the pull closer to the mounts in a straight line.
So looking at the winch from the rear with the cable in hand the cable fixing is on the LHS of the drum.

So I can overwind with the top of the drum rotating away from me,
or underwind with the bottom of the drum rotating away from me.

Which one?

Standing in front of your vehicle and winch, draw a line (in texta) on the drum flange on the side that the wire anchor point is.
If it is the right side and when you operate the winch (winding in) the texta mark rotates to the rear, attach the wire rope and overwind it onto the drum.
The opposite is correct if the drum texta mark rotates forward and the anchor point is on the left side underwind the rope.
I will see if I can find the pages in the riggers guide that explains (with pics) and send you the URL:, Regards Frank.