Winches are common on trucks, tractors, and other off-road vehicles and are used for towing. Without proper maintenance, however, you could be left with another car stuck in the mud and expensive winch repairs. The technicians at Eubanks Auto Electric in De Kalb, TX, can perform those repairs when needed and also offer you maintenance tips to keep your equipment in working order in the future.

What Is a Winch?

A winch consists of a steel or synthetic cable ranging from 40 to 100 feet long. It is tightly wound around a cylindrical drum that rotates. There’s also a motor on most vehicular winches, which powers the drum and allows the cable to be wound or unwound. Finally, the gear train converts the power from the motor so the winch can be used to pull a wide range of heavy objects.

Most winches are attached to the rear of a vehicle, like a truck, but some are in the front instead. Depending on the winch and the vehicle’s weight, you can pull objects that are 500 pounds or more. Winches are also used to get other vehicles out of mud, sand, or snow, or to rip hedges from the ground.

Why Is Maintenance Important?

If you aren’t taking appropriate measures to maintain this equipment, it may not work in an emergency. To avoid the cost of winch repairs, you should check and test the motor and battery every few months. You also need to check your cable for any damage, like fraying, kinks, or broken strands. Moreover, letting your tool sit unused for months at a time can lead to corrosion and other problems that may require winch repairs. Simply running your winch every few months and paying close attention to the cable and motor will keep it in working order.

If you do need winch repairs, though, the technicians at Eubanks Auto Electric are happy to help and have more than 60 years of service under their belts. They also handle alternators and starters for trucks, tractors, ATVs, and forklifts. Check out their website for a complete list of services, or call (903) 667-2081 for a free estimate.