Warning: Over-cranking winches can be dangerous!
From: James R. Hill, III
Date: 10/4/99
Time: 4:04:34 PM
Comments
Over the years, the PMCA has heard of several dangerous accidents with landlords over-tightening winch-operated, cable-raising, home-made gourd racks that use an eyebolt at the top to hold the upper pulley. The constant, several-thousand-pound pull of an over-tightened winch and cable on a metal eyebolt can cause the metal in the eyebolt to fatigue and fail over time. If you're under it when it fails, it can be fatal. One of our landlords had his wife just tighten the winch two more tooth clicks and down came their homemade gourd rack on her head, sending her to the Emergency room, and most of the martin eggs to the compost pile. Replacing eyebolts every few years is a good idea, but so is never over-tightening any winch-operated system. Be careful out there!
Editor's Note: PMCA member John Fox suggests using "case hardened bolts," which are stronger than generic bolts. Case hardened bolts are identified by a series of star-like markings on the head of the bolt. More marks means a stronger bolt. A good hardware store should be able to assist you in locating these.
James R. Hill, III
Executive Director/Founder
Purple Martin Conservation Association
