Dead Load Capacity on Dutton Lainson Hand Winch with Wooden Snow Plow

Question:

Appropriate pulling power for a 4 feet wide x 2 feet high x 3 feet deep plywood sled with closed sides for compacted wet snow deposited by snow plow. Distance of pull would be 35 feet. What would be the fastest speed from a utility pole across the street.

asked by: Kenn

Expert Reply:

A heavy duty hand winch is what I'm assuming you are asking about like the Dutton-Lainson Hand Winch with TUFFPLATE Finish, Two Speed with Direct Drive - 3,200 lbs # DL15440 will have a maximum distance of 30 feet for a 3/8 inch cable. The rated capacity is based in direct pull on the third layer of line on the drum. Capacity is reduced as the line builds up on the drum. With wet snow, you really aren't going to get very far before you are at your max capacity especially when you have to account for the dead weight of your wooden snow plow. The speed would be based on your hand cranking speed as one turn on the drum will take 5.4 revolutions on the hand crank.

expert reply by: Jason S