If you are completing a construction project and you need to lift materials to a higher floor, or you wish to pull cables through a system of pipes, you may be considering hiring a winch. Below is a guide to 5 things you should consider when hiring a winch.

Accessories

Winches are available with a range of accessories such as electrical generators, control valves and a fairlead, which helps to guide the cables when the winch is in operation. Depending on the deal offered by the winch hire company, these accessories may be included in the price of the winch hire or may be supplied at an additional cost.

Operators

Before hiring a winch, you should check if any of your contractors are licensed to operate this type of equipment. If you do not have a licensed winch operator on your team, you may need to hire additional personnel. For a price, a winch hire company can supply qualified staff who will deliver, set up, and operate the winch on your behalf.

Size

Winches come in many different sizes. When hiring a winch, it is important that you hire one which is big enough to deal with the load you wish to pull or lift. If you use a winch which is too small, the cable is liable to snap, causing the load will break loose. This situation could potentially put your contractors at risk of injury or death. The winch hire company will be able to advise you about the best type of winch for your job.

Insurance

If the winch is damaged during operation or if it malfunctions due to your actions, the winch hire company may hold you responsible for any damage and the cost of any replacement parts or repairs. This is why you should always make sure you are fully covered by your insurance policy for the use of any hired equipment. Your on-site insurance should cover any hired kit. However, if you are unsure, you should consider taking any additional insurance with the hire company to make sure that you are fully covered.

Time-scale

Finally, you should consider how long you will need to hire the winch for, as this will affect the overall price of your hire. The longer you hire the winch, the greater the cost. You should also build some capacity into your plans by booking an additional day of winch hire, which will protect you if work falls behind schedule.

If you would like to find out more about winch hire, contact a winch supplier today.