1 More Recovery Question!

**marine0597** · 09-11-2010, 13:57

Thanks for all the good info guys. I really appreciate your help! I haven't been able to figure this out. If you have 4 snatch blocks, you add 1 to the line it doubles the pulling capacity of winch correct? So if you have a 8000lb winch you have increased capacity to 16,000lbs?
So the more snatch blocks you attach the more you can pull, correct? If you add multiple snatch blocks you will overload your line correct? Thanks again for the help.

**JoeySnow70** · 09-11-2010, 15:10

Almost.... Yes you can multiply your winch capacity with each block you add but also you loose 10% per block(friction, force redirection....). So you 8K winch with with a single block is capable of 16000-1600 or 14400lbs, Or 4 blocks will be able to pull 28,800lbs. But the real question is how a 5000lb Jeep can manage that???? Anchors??? Will the winch plate/hardware be strong enough???? Thats why all you get with some winches is a single snatch block. And by the way to be able to achieve this mechanical advantage the winch line have to come back to the Jeep, if not its just redirection and you wont get any mechanical advantage....

**marine0597** · 09-11-2010, 17:27

So am I correct in saying that once you add a snatch block that the line is not rated for that much force, wich in turn would over load the line? I don't plan on using more than 1 snatch block but just wanted to make sure I was correct that you can overload and break the line by using snatchblocks. Also I have a warn snatch block and the box said it has a safety indicator on it do you know how this feature works? Thanks again for all the great info!

**diamond b** · 09-12-2010, 17:41

Actually the force the line "sees" does not chnage with the addition of the block. The force the attachment point sees goes up. Think of it this way, With one block and your line secured to the winch vehicle, there is say 8000 lbs going down the line to the block and then down the remainder of the line to the attachment point. So the winch sees 8000 lbs, both parts of the line see 8000 lbs, the vehicle attachment point sees 8000 lbs, the block and the block mounting point see 16000 lbs (8000 from each part of the line). Hope that is clear, if not I can draw a picture that makes more sense.

**91YEEPER** · 09-12-2010, 18:39

1b.jpg

this is a good example of how mechanical advantage and pulley systems create greater pulling/lifting forces with minimal effort.

the 1.75" wire rope in a straight line lift would be rated at 35k lbs. but in the hook block and sheaves it can lift 600 tons.