Tirfor T35 - how to help please

[nepia]

Hi all first post here. I had a search on the site and google but not much look.

 

I am now the owner of Ex MOD Tirfor T35 winch and cable and handle.

 

A few questions please.

 

I have looked on line but cannot find any manual. Can anyone point me to or tell me how to use it ?

 

I believe you push down and forward on the T handle to lock it behind the lugs inside then feed the rope through.

 

Although it has been serviced and greased I can only get the handle forward using a ratchett strap. Am I just needing to go to the gym more or is there an trick to it. Does the release handle (well flat shaped sticking up bit) need to be in a certain place. I cant see any sort of release lever or safety catch to use release to get the T handle forward

 

Once the rope is through (its genuine unused tirfor cable) I then release the T handle which in turn grips the jaws is that right ?

 

Once finished I need to push the T handle forward again to release the rope ?

 

 

Also its 20m of 19mm rope so its heavy and awkward to store. Its not on a reel so any ideas? I got an old scrap tyre 205/ 16 but it was too small

 

any help apprecaited

 

 

Not sure if this is what you're doing already but with mine... squeeze both handles together, knock them forwards, then keeping them squeezed knock them back to go into 'free run' mode. Once you've fed the rope through knock just the T-handle forwards to engage the jaws.

[daveindales]

I always leave the cable in the winch as it's a devil to get back in sometimes. As someone else said, wrap the cable up in an old tyre, if it's quite a length

[nepia]

That's what I did when I first bought mine, not realising the cable could be extracted! Jeez it was hard work lugging about the body + 100' of 16mm steel rope.

[daveindales]

That's what I did when I first bought mine, not realising the cable could be extracted! Jeez it was hard work lugging about the body + 100' of 16mm steel rope.

 

I only use a small ammount of cable and attatch to a polypropolyne rope for winching things over. It's a lot lighter that way and I just leave the cable in the winch all the time. I have a really long length of wire rope, but to be honest, it's very rare I use it.

[nepia]

I have a really long length of wire rope, but to be honest, it's very rare I use it.

 

 

Know what you mean, which is why I bought a 10m rope for the winch. I hardly ever use the long rope now.

[Treewolf]

Also any idea where I coudl get a snatch block from that would take a 19mm rope. It is only for recreational vehicle recovery

 

A T35 is way bigger and heavier than you need for recreational vehicle recovery, and although you can use a snatch block with it (to double the pull and halve the linespeed) you will grow old and die before you move the vehicle very far!

 

A T800 (or equivalent) will do just fine for most normal-sized 4x4 recoveries, and can be used with the same kind of (inexpensive) snatch block used with 4x4-type winches.

 

Tirfors are rated by their lifting capacity (usually about a 5x safety factor) not pulling capacity (usually 2x SF) like vehicle winches. So an 800kg Tirfor is actually rated about the same as a 2000kg electric winch (which is of course why the cable is about the same size).

 

Carrying something as big and heavy as a T35 plus cable in a 4x4 will probably get you stuck. Unless of course you off-road in a Bedford or similar.

[Stu2985]

Thanx wolf. I look at for example the Tmax or black rat 4x4 hand winches with theri 11mm ropes and the size and weight of them. They go from anything between £180-£250 quid adn wonder why I lug the beast around

 

I do know what you mean the T35 is a lump and we usually split the stuff between vehicles.

 

Problem is to sell it would only get me enough to buy a new smaller winch. Think I would rather lug the tirfor around and have peice of mine seeing they cost what over a grand new is it ?

 

Most trips out it stays in the garage its only a couple of places or when exploring new areas it gets thrown in.

[njc110381]

A couple of tips I was given as a trainee school leaver to help me with the Tirfor may help you....

 

When shifting the T handle to release the cable try standing the winch on the opposite end and remove the main handle. You can then use your body weight to push down and release the T handle and the lever will shift as needed without the main handle weighing it down. To clamp the cable just give it a light stamp with your heel - you'll not hurt it as long as you do it respectfully.

 

Cable wise I too recommend a shorter one and a poly rope. Then you don't need such a large tyre to store it.

 

Generally they're brutes to use but with practise you'll get the knack and find it gets much easier. Stick with it - you can shift light stuff with a big winch but you can't shift heavy stuff with a small one!

[Dan Earp]

http://tractel.com/files/127192958567447.pdf

[Mick Stockbridge]

Where are you Stu? If you're near enough to me I'll show you how to use it properly.