Smittybilt 97612, Instruction Manual

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uses, a cable must be wound on to the drum under a 

load of at least 500Ibs (230kgs) or the outer wraps will 

draw into the inner wraps and severely damage the 

cable during winching. The first winch use should be 

a familiarization run while in a relaxed, non  recovery 

situation. Spool out the cable until the red cable mark 

appears(about 5 wraps on the drum),then rewind the 

cable on the drum under a load of 500Ibs (230kgs) 

or more. This will slightly tension and stretch the new 

cable and create a tight cable wrap around the drum. 

Failure to do so may result in cable damage and 

reduced cable life.

  • When the cable is replaced, be sure to apply Loctite, 

or an equal compound, to the cable clamp thread. 

Tighten the clamp screw properly but do not over 

tighten. The Loctite will prevent loosening of the 

screw in arduous conditions. Loctite 7471 primer and 

222 threadlocker are recommended.

17. Do not attempt to exceed the pulling limits of this 

winch.

18. Do not drive your vehicle to assist the winch in any 

way. Vehicle movement in combination with winch 

operation may overload the cable, the winch itself or 

cause damaging shock loads.

19. Shock loads when winching are dangerous! A shock 

load occurs when an increase force is suddenly 

applied to the cable. A vehicle rolling back on a slack 

cable may induce a damaging shock load.

20. The winches shown in this manual are solely 

for vehicle and boat mounted, non-industrial 

applications.

21. Do not use winch in hoisting applications due to 

required hoist safety factors and features.

22. Do not use the winch to lift, support or otherwise 

transport personnel.

WINCH OPERATION

The best way to get acquainted with how your 

winch operates is to make a few test runs before 

you actually need to use it. Plan your test in 

advance.
Remember you can hear your winch as well as 

you can see it operate. Get to recognize the 

sound of a light steady pull, a heavy pull, and 

sounds caused by load jerking or shifting. Soon 

you will gain confidence in operating your winch 

and its use will become second nature to you.

STANDARD OPERATING  

PROCEDURE

1.  Ensure the vehicle is secure by applying the parking 

brake or chocking the wheels.

2.  Pull out the winch cable the desired length and 

connect to an anchor point. The winch clutch allows 

rapid uncoiling of the cable for hooking onto the load 

or anchor point. The shifter tab located on the gear 

housing of the winch operates the clutch as follows:

a.  To disengage the clutch, move the clutch shifter 

tab so that the "FREE SPOOL" text is facing 

forward. Cable may now be free spooled off the 

drum.

b.  To engage the clutch, move the clutch shifter tab 

into the "ENGAGED" position. The winch is now 

ready for pulling.

c.  Line the tab on the inside of the remote socket 

end with the groove on the remote plug on the 

control box. 

You should always “Free spool” the winch outward.

d.  Push the switch on the side of the remote to 

select the direction you want the winch to 

operate, then pull the trigger to operate the 

winch.

e.  The remote features a magnet on the front which 

enables you to keep the remote off of the ground 

by having it placed on your vehicle, bumper, etc. 

Winch Operation