Winch anchor

Yuccahead

Yuccahead

Adventurer
I like the idea of using these. But if I can play devil's advocate here, I have snapped one of these fence posts in half by rocking it back and forth several times with my hands. I was trying to loosen it so I could pull it out and instead, it snapped off at ground level from the fatigue. This feat was repeated a few seconds later by a friend working on a second post. I'm not too confident that these posts can support a winch/vehicle combo. How do you attach your winch line to one?
 
AFBronco235

AFBronco235

Crew Chief
Yuccahead said:
I like the idea of using these. But if I can play devil's advocate here, I have snapped one of these fence posts in half by rocking it back and forth several times with my hands. I was trying to loosen it so I could pull it out and instead, it snapped off at ground level from the fatigue. This feat was repeated a few seconds later by a friend working on a second post. I'm not too confident that these posts can support a winch/vehicle combo. How do you attach your winch line to one?
Click to expand...

I'm glad you brought this up actually.

How old were the posts and how long were they in the ground? The only time I've seen this style of post snap like that is when its been in the ground for 20+ years. So I'm assuming you were trying to clean an old fence line and were removing the posts in question and they snapped where you were bending them. Is that correct?

As for attaching to the posts, you'll want to do that right at ground level. As you noted, the posts can bend quite a bit. The closer you are to ground level, the less bending will occur and the more secure your attachment will be. Also keep in mind that when planting the post, you'll want to do it at an angle so that the top of the post is pointing away from the vehicle. This also goes to prevent bending of the post and a more secure attachment. And if you're still not sure one post is enough, you can always add another one or two posts and use shackles to link them to a common winch point. Hmm... I may have to come up with some sort of instruction on using t-posts as ground anchors with diagrams and such.
 
Yuccahead

Yuccahead

Adventurer
AFBronco235 said:
I'm glad you brought this up actually.

How old were the posts and how long were they in the ground? The only time I've seen this style of post snap like that is when its been in the ground for 20+ years. So I'm assuming you were trying to clean an old fence line and were removing the posts in question and they snapped where you were bending them. Is that correct?

As for attaching to the posts, you'll want to do that right at ground level. As you noted, the posts can bend quite a bit. The closer you are to ground level, the less bending will occur and the more secure your attachment will be. Also keep in mind that when planting the post, you'll want to do it at an angle so that the top of the post is pointing away from the vehicle. This also goes to prevent bending of the post and a more secure attachment. And if you're still not sure one post is enough, you can always add another one or two posts and use shackles to link them to a common winch point. Hmm... I may have to come up with some sort of instruction on using t-posts as ground anchors with diagrams and such.
Click to expand...


The posts hadn't been in the ground that long at this particular location -- a couple of months -- but this was more than a dozen years ago, my memory has faded and it's possible the posts were recycled. We were actually taking down posts that had been used as a sign that had been put up after 9-11. The part I do remember was that as my friend's fence post snapped, his momentum sent him flying back into a cholla. It was really really hard to control my laughter.
 
S

svana

Observer
I've also heard (haven't had to try it for myself yet luckily) about using your spare as your anchor. Essentially dig a hole deep enough to throw the tire in, strap your winch line to it and cover it back up. Obviously takes much more effort than just staking a post into the ground, but may work in a pinch. Anybody have experience with this method?
 
verdesardog

verdesardog

Explorer
I have done the spare tire in a snow bank, used my tire iron in the center to connect the winch cable. I got me out of the ditch just fine. That was on a forest service road just west of Pagosa Springs CO on the continental divide in the middle of winter.
 
taugust

taugust

Adventurer
I think there are T post lifters out there. Basically a pry bar on a stand that attaches and prys up. Harbor Freight has them. Went looking and found this thread:

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106043

I like the one that uses the Hi Lift jack (which many of us have) from Gemplers. Or a short length of chain and the Hi Lift would work. Using the winch would make me nervous, as the post could release suddenly and come flying back at your vehicle.
 
9

98 SNAKE EATER

Adventurer
Here's an old winch anchor I made for my golf cart (yes, I'm that bad at golf lol)

mybuddywinchwithwings.JPG


mybuddywinchwithwings2.JPG


mybuddywinchwithwings3.JPG


Basically just hammer it into the ground at an angle away from the pull....

I called it, the "Winch Buddy" and ended up selling a bunch to the local ATV crowd :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AH9aBZ3ly0

 
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