REASONS TO CHANGE YOUR WINCH OVER THE WINTER MONTHS

It’s no secret that the harsh winter conditions can have an impact on your commercial equipment. No matter what scale your project is, operating your winch equipment safely during the colder months is vital. Our blog dives into the real impact of winter on your commercial machinery. To find out more, keep on reading. WINCHES IN WINTER While it may be more convenient to keep the same equipment and fixtures all year round, the colder temperatures can put your equipment at risk. Even if your winch gets a lot of regular use, it’s still important to check the safety of your machine by changing necessary parts. Keep reading to find some of the main risks that can occur as a result of the dropping temperatures. FREEZING Nowadays, most winch ropes are either wire cables or made from synthetic rope, as opposed to linen or hemp ropes. Even these stronger materials are susceptible to damage from the winter cold. After rain or windy weather, they can potentially freeze as the temperatures reach below 0 degrees. Trying to use your winch with frozen cables is a huge health hazard, causing extreme damage to your winches’ cranking mechanism and wires. SALT & GRIME If your project is operating in an area with lots of snow and ice, the areas have likely been salted and gritted for safety. Although most of this salt and grit is safe, there is still the risk of them deteriorating your winch. As these materials build up, they can cake around the winch equipment, making the machinery difficult to operate. Salt can build up around cables, causing friction when operating your winch, as well as getting stuck in the mechanical areas of your winch. WEATHERING General weathering over the winter is another potential threat to be wary of. The winter often brings gloomy, rainy weather, high winds and even sub-zero temperatures. With no real way of protecting your machines from the elements, they are subject to sleet, rain, hail storms and general weathering. This can not only cause your machines to freeze, but they can potentially rust or cause damage internally. It’s important to check your machinery regularly and change the necessary parts to stay safe. ATLAS WINCH HIRE & HOIST SERVICES If you’re looking for reliable and sturdy winches to hire over the winter months, look no further. Here at Atlas Winch Hire & Hoist Services, we offer a range of excellent machinery and winch equipment for your next winter project! From heavy duty winches to mooring equipment, we have it all. For more information about our products or services, feel free to get in touch with us today.