If it's really a winch, you might want to use caution since it seems you are using it as a hoist. I've seen many winches that will state that they should not be used for lifting purposes.
<font color=blue>I've seen many winches that will state that they should not be used for lifting purposes.
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Here's a <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.superwinch.com/support/learning/hoisting.html>link</A> to an explanation of this at the Superwinch site. The pertinent sentence is...
Superwinch products are neither hoists nor elevators and should not be interpreted as such.