Quality Heavy Duty Hand Winches Needed to Safely Raise and Lower Baseball Backstop Netting

Expert Reply:

As long as each winch would not be required to lift over 600 lbs, I recommend going with the Dutton-Lainson Hand Winch, # DL14125, which is capable of lifting up to 600 lbs and is a very economical choice.

This winch will accept up to 61 feet of 5/32 cable and you could use a 50 foot length of 3/16 inch diameter cable, # DL24044.

If you are required to use 3/8 inch diameter cable, I would recommend the Dutton-Lainson 3,200 lb Hand Winch, # DL15440, which should have more than the capacity needed and will accept 30 feet of 3/8 inch cable. At this time we do not carry 3/8 inch wire rope for winches.

None of the Winches we carry are intended to be used as hoists for lifting, supporting or transporting people, or for loads over areas where people can be present. This means that you would need to use some sort of supplemental safety system to secure the backstop netting once it is lifted safely into place with the winches.

I provided a drawing and a short video explanation that may be helpful also, see links.

expert reply by: Bob G