Winches are a fantastic investment within a number of fields, allowing you and your company to complete regular tasks and routine jobs in a streamlined fashion. From electric winches and their continued practicality within vehicle recovery, to hired air winches, which can be used away from a dedicated source of electricity, there are plenty of varied types to choose from. Often utilised within large commercial premises, and favoured within the maritime and construction industries, hiring your particular winch or winches can provide plenty of benefits rather than permanently acquiring.
Read ahead and allow Atlas Winch Hire & Hoist Services to guide you through the prominent advantages of temporarily acquiring winches!
Winches Explained
For thousands of years, people have used winches to move various objects, and the process of winching is remarkably simple when broken down into the various stages. Due to their ease of use and few components, the Greeks used early winches to lift heavy objects, hoist bridges, and even aid in the completion of significant architectural projects. The modern interpretation of winches may be to assist when your car is stuck, but winches are in fact surprisingly versatile, and can be used for a wide array of tasks. Any device or tool that pulls, hoists, or hauls using a rope or cable is considered a winch generally speaking, often even powered by a crank or motor. Put simply, a winch can be defined as a rope or cable that assists in pulling a heavy object.
Winches are frequently used in situations involving heavy machinery, recognised as the best equipment for lifting bulky materials on construction sites – or for freeing stuck cars from difficult situations. Remarkably adaptable, winches are even sometimes used in gardening to help remove large tree roots or rocks. Whether used to pull people or objects through the air, or found on cranes and sailboats, Atlas Winch Hire & Hoist Services are happy to provide a hire option which suits your context.
Why Hire?
With the assistance of our expert engineers, renting a winch to various locations throughout the UK could hardly be easier! Renting specialised equipment makes much more sense than permanent acquisition for the majority of businesses, due to budget constraints or other limitations. Because there is a support network in place, rented winches typically experience less downtime, whereas unintentional expenses like depreciation are covered. Customers can rent our winches for as little as a few days or for as long as is required.
Hiring a winch is often far more simple than you would first expect, though as there are many different types of equipment, finding the right one depends on the type of job you are working on. Opening up to the possibility of hiring will mean that you gain access to a wide range of options at the click of a mouse, accounting for weight capacity needs and special situational requirements. It’s recommended that you use a winch that is able to handle double the weight of what you are trying to lift, removing any room for error.
Air Winches
Though air and electric winches may both appear similar in appearance, with a distinctive frame or drum type, there are plenty of practical and operational distinctions between the two. The fundamental difference between these types of winches is the amount of electricity required to operate them. The power of an air winch is supplied by compressed air channelled into the motor, while electric winches (as we’ll outline later) have a principal power source of electricity.
Air winches retain features and characteristics which offer advantages over other types. Air winches particularly offer a lot of lifting force even without consuming a lot of electricity, with compatible industries including construction, marine, mining and offshore work. Ideally, air winches can be utilised in remote locations where three-phase electricity is not available.
Diesel Winches
Similar to an air winch, diesel winches are usually used outdoors where an electric supply is not available. A lifting tool powered by a diesel engine, the motor of a diesel winch can be controlled by a frequency converter. Another ideal solution for lifting and pulling loads in remote areas with limited electric supply, this type of winch is mainly used for power transmission projects, be it telecommunications or engineering,
Small in size and lightweight compared to many electric winch models, a diesel winch will likely retain use when working from a power-free location. Searching for a winch model which is ideal for pulling cables through ducts, raising portable buildings or clearing the debris from rivers, lakes and canals? Explore our range today, alongside corresponding winch equipment.
Electric Winches
Electric winches are motorised devices used for lifting, pulling and positioning of various loads – typically mounted to a vehicle’s front or rear bumper, and powered by direct current electricity provided by the vehicle’s electrical system. Electric winches work best in towing applications, used primarily in the landscaping, power, and telecommunications industries. Electric winches operate on a power supply like any other electrical machine, via either AC or DC systems.
Commonplace on sailboats and for on-site winching which benefits from a reliable power source, the electric winch is the most common and widely used winch type on the market. They’re quite durable and often less expensive than air or diesel winches, but as a word of warning, if you use them for a longer time, they can overheat. If you’re looking for safety tips and general advice on winches and hoists, check out our blog.
Safety First!
As is the case with any large machinery, winches can be dangerous if used irresponsibly, without consulting individual instructions, or without sufficient PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). As a general rule, users should watch what they are doing at all times when operating a winch, using common sense when tired, stressed or when under the influence of medication. Winches should never be submerged in water either, and If a winch is submerged, it should be inspected and serviced by a technician.
Other important safety tips to consult before using a winch will include:
- Not exceeding the rated safety capacity of a wire rope
- Taking the time to plan and prepare any project carefully
- Wearing leather gloves and other protective equipment, particularly when handling wire rope
- Removing any obstructions which may interfere with the safe winching operation
- Establishing particular safety zones for assistants and onlookers
- Never using a winch as a hoist, as winches are for pulling, not lifting
Atlas Winch Hire & Hoist Services: Premium Winch Equipment
Working across Scotland, as well as the rest of The United Kingdom, at Atlas Winch Hire & Hoist Services, we continue to exceed customer expectations. If you’re on the hunt for professional winch hire and lifting equipment, you’re certainly in the right place! We aim to provide everything you need for your project, and as a family-owned business, we prioritise delivering excellent customer service. Rest assured that we have worked within the winch machine and lifting equipment industry for decades, using this wealth of experience to offer the essential powered winch equipment that our customers need.
Our expert lifting equipment suppliers are more than equipped to assist you in a wide range of winch servicing tasks, and offer complementary support for your projects, no matter the size. Whether you require winch repairs, lifting gear, winch servicing or are looking for experienced winch operators, our team of experts are more than happy to help. Our winching servicing solutions are completely bespoke to ensure we meet your individual needs – so why not contact us today by emailing info@winchhire.com.