Off Grid Winch: Making a Flip Flop Winch 

My Grandpa freed a plow horse out of a mud pit with this very winch. When he realized the horse was going to need more help than he and I could give it, he didn't say a word he just went about cutting the timber he needed, put the winch together and he and I pulled that horse up out of the mud. I've never forgotten that and I have admired my Grandpa through my entire life for the expiriences that we shared. He was a smart man.

As a child this is how i used to get my father out of the pubs here in Ireland 🇮🇪 great video thank you god bless

Hi Todd, thanks for the demonstration. One way to mitigate the danger of line snapping is to make the same configuration using a loop of rope rather than a single line. Then tie paracord or some other line loosely around both of the two strands at intervals, so that, should the line snap at a given location, the encircling paracord nearest to the break will prevent the broken end from flying more than a few feet. Incidentally, using a loop will also nearly double your safe load limit.

One way to help minimize the effects of a rope snapping is to drape a blanket or some type of fabric on the rope or cables being stretched. The hope and tendency is that the broken cord will hit the blanket or fabric that is over it. This does not eliminate risk, but it lessens it, and can help you stay safer in a pinch type situation like this one. Very cool video!

Thank you for this. I had never seen this or heard of it. I was able to get my son’s hot wheel unstuck from a little mud pit in the backyard sandbox using two toothpicks and dental floss. Life safer!

Totally awesome. I wish I had known this 37 years ago when my truck was stuck on a slope at the edge of a ravine. I had a long rope that we tied to a small tree, several 3' and 4' concrete stakes, sledgehammer, and a few other tools. I knew there had to be a way to manually winch it out but couldn't figure it out. Meanwhile, my friend ran back to a ranger station he had seen a few miles back and got them to come with a 4-wheel drive to pull us out. I had everything I needed but the knowledge.

I have not personally seen this used in the wild, but I commend you for how you explained it. This is an ingenious strategy for a survival situation.

Great trick. Good idea would to be have trailing wedges behind the vehicle’s tyres so that it can go forwards but not roll back if the rope breaks. Plus a blanket on the ropes to stop whiplash if it lets go.

“If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.” - Our buddy Red!

This is an amazing tool. Thank you for sharing this information. I couldn't help but thinking about the " ancients" moving huge loads without modern equipment and tools like this show how simple tools can move heavy loads.

Great tip. Wish I’d seen this when I was trying to persuade my St Bernard it was bath time.

I could have used this trick a few times, being stuck deep in the bush in the Yukon. Having knowledge like this could save a life, Thanks for sharing.

Thank you for the update with the barrel log stakes and the paracord loops on the load line for the lever log. I used this basic method years ago as a young Marine to get a vehicle back on the road. We had plenty of muscle available but this method worked without anyone getting hurt. I respectfully suggest driving the barrel log stakes in at an angle so that the log is less likely to slide up the stake and spin around. I also suggest using loops of paracord on the stakes for the barrel log. There are deadly forces stored in this device that will break bones and skulls faster than a man can react. I would only move in the areas around this winch where I would be safest if something goes wrong. Thank you for posting

Each time you stepped over that taught rope, my boys both twitched! Thank you Todd.

My Grandpa taught me how to get out of the mud by tying a log/branch onto the wheel. It increases the surface of the tire and enables you to just drive out of the mud while safely seated in the car/truck. This is a great idea as well. It's definitely going in my bag of tricks. Thumbs up!

well it's quite a lot of leveraging to gain a couple of feet ... YET , a couple of feet can make the difference between getting stuck in the middle of nowhere or getting your vehicle out of a mud hole or sand strip , so ... all in all, this is BRILLIANT ... it's simple , needs basically no tools and gets the job done ... for me , it deserves two thumbs up

It’s amazing! Tighten ropes is a very powerful means of engineering! Just a suggestion: using a small piece of wood tightening alongside to the wheel, slightly wider than the size of the wheel, would have the similar of the result of self pulling out of a dip! When the wheel is moved either forward or backwards, the piece of wood will dug into the ground with extra friction to the wheel might be enough force of moving the vehicle! Worth of a try!

Always good idea to throw a blanket or coat over the rope to the truck to keep it from whipping if it breaks

brilliant improvised winch, I'll be showing this to the scouts. it's always good to have alternative ways of doing things

My Grandfather showed me the exact same way to pull heavy objects with a flip-flop rope winch and a few years back when I was younger it actually saved me a thousand bucks towing bill. My Wife and I had only been married a year or 2 and were out Elk Hunting in the REAL BACK COUNTRY with my highly modified Toyota 4x4 pick up and the old forest service or logging road we used to get way back in to our camp had experienced a land slide during a hard rain one evening after we had got in to our camp. On the way out we came upon a pile of Bark Beatle killed logs and big chunks of Granite and stuff that completely wiped out this section of road that rounded the mountain so we had to go back and cut our own road out...well we were doing just fine and had gotten past the wiped out road about a 1/4 mile down slope from the road when we had to cross the creek to get to decent terrain to make it back up slope to the road, well the rainfall had turned the entire creek bottom into a soggy muddy mess. We were doing just fine skirting it when we got stuck and I mean Stuck!, clear up to the frame stuck! All 4 wheels were in mud clear up to the hubs....so I had a old Warn 12v winch on the front that I bought second hand and had it gone through and repaired but it failed on me about half way to dry ground....so I trying to think what to do I remembered Grandpa and the Flip Flop....we got our ropes out of the back and cut a good green Ponderosa log for the handle and used a Aspen for the barrel and in about 25-30 minutes we were on dry ground and packing up to carry on up slope to the old trail. 40 min later we were on our way home after a successful Elk Hunt with a hell of a story to tell. So don't underestimate the flip flop.....it works and as long as you can flip and flop your handle....and your cable or rope don't break....your good to go. I'm positive given how far back in we were it would have cost around a thousand bucks to get us out if I had to get help.

Thank you for adding something to RU-vid that advances knowledge. Very clever. Very very clever.

I needed to see this 40 years ago when I was a young buck doing all kind of stupid things young men do with their trucks. Thanks for the video.

70 years ago my Grand Daddy called this method the "Ground Hog Pry". Thanks a lot for showing it.

A little slow, but much faster than walking home! I haven't seen this done before. Great idea!

Most excellent demo on the simple machine winch. Thanks for taking the time and doing all this work for us. So to spell it out for those that obviously need help in the negative comment section. One should always apply some math to fit your particular situation. Survival Sherpa obviously did his as the rope did not break. So let's apply some logic to how this demo benefits us. 1. Going off road with an electric winch that weighs 100 pounds or more mounted on the front of our 4x4 may seem cool until you are stuck and need it on the rear bumper. The added weight uses more gas and the winch is great as long as the cable is long enough and it doesn't breakdown while you are needing it. The winch has the same capacity restrictions as a rope. In other words, 2,000 pound capacity is 2,000 pound capacity. Both will have the kinetic energy you apply to it. Both have the potential to snap and whiplash when the load exceeds capacity. Just for fun which would you rather be hit with? 2. The rope obviously needs to be rated for the load you are using it for the same as the winch cable. The rope is lighter to haul and has more uses than just pulling you out of a ditch. For those that may be math challenged or simply feel synthetic could never be as strong as steel, consider doubling the rope. Survival Sherpa could have easily tied a second and a third rope to his bumper and applied the same technique with the same logs (assuming he had enough rope). 3. Rule of thumb on how to rate rope and cables: Take the maximum weight of the load and multiply by 1.2 which will give you a 20% safety factor. The rope O.E.M. has also included a safety factor but we pretend not to know about it. You could easily hang a 5,000 pound truck by the frame with a 6,000 capacity rope and feel good about it. Connection points, shackles and proper use of knots apply. Now of course this is a simplification and a mere starting point as angles, cutting edges, dead load vs live load and other things come into play. There is no shame , when in doubt double down. For good information search Rigging Techniques online. 4. So there you have it. Rope and Knife are your friend. Do the math and get the proper rope for your maximum potential load and travel safer and more self reliant.

This kind of thing should be taught in schools all across the world. Genius! Yet so simple.

I'm am 58 yrs old and have been in the woods or close most of my life in 4x4s starting with mom dad uncles and cousins in a willys army jeep at 3 yrs and Chevy 4x4 at 15 when I got my license. This is the first time I've seen this type of wench but needed one more times than I'll say. Thank you. Keep up the great work.

I am a 36 year( experience) field geologist and I have never seen this technique. Thank you, I will be sharing this with my staff.

Very cool! It's probably best to practice this one a couple of times so you know it a bit before you have to do this in the dark. If it's a vehicle make sure it's not hung up on something that will damage it if dragged out. I'd check underneath after a rescue anyway to make sure break lines and everything else is intact after a pull out also.

You would be a excellent teacher in our failed school system

With 45 years in construction & using all sorts of lifting and moving devices, and learning all sorts of tricks, I’m delighted to add this one to my arsenal. Very clever! I do a lot of swamp buggying in the Everglades and this is certainly a handy trick to know. Can’t wait to share this video with my swamp buggy buddies. This would work with chain or cable also. Now I’m thinking I should carry some non-stretching Kevlar or Spectra line on the buggy. Nice video! Thank you, sir.

This is one of the more informative videos that I have watched on RU-vid.

I watched you do this when you first did it and then I lost the link. RU-vid put it in my "Pull Pile" and now, I've got the LINK back. THANK YOU AGAIN !!!

Fricken amazing, thanks for crediting Mr. Kohansky.

Neat, sweet and simple, above all controllable and, within common sense, safe. Thanks for sharing.

Mr.Mors Kohanski was my professor / instructor at University of Alberta component of our PE degree anchored with an Outdoor Education course. Little did I know until later( now 56 retired teacher) that we had THE WORLD LEGEND AS A TEACHER. Most humble, unassuming, clarity and precision teaching Ive ever experienced. What an absolute priviledge. RIP.

This is phenomenal! I love Mors but never seen this setup! This is absolutely an amazing technique when and if in need of pulling and or lifting something! Thankyou

One of best things I've seen in ages. Thank you for teaching me that simple but extremely useful technique.. we don't carry blocks and tackle around. But we often have rope and a axe.. nice

That's definitely 1 of the more intelligent things I've watched. Thanks

I've watched this video before and I love it! Obviously a person has to be somewhat mechanically inclined. But if you pay attention to what the man says it's a very important lesson in physics. Awesome and thank you for the video.

Very nice! Wish I knew about this mechanism about 40 yrs ago! Thank you!

Watched this 3 or 4 years ago. Wanted to refresh my memory. Great video and instruction. A blanket or similar laid over the rope, or chain for that matter, will help dampen the violent nature of a snapped line.

Remember, this idea was formed by a person with time on their hands and a problem.Maybe they could have used their legs... 30 miles, 6 hard hours, probably get dark, shamefaced call a buddy. Instead, used their brain, took stock and worked it out, probably drove home with daylight to spare, well pleased with themselves.

I like this and thank you for sharing, I work in the oil fields in Alaska, and I will be able to use this EVERYDAY. Very useful knowledge!

This is an outstanding video, for lots of reasons. Others have mentioned the danger of rope or tow strap breaking and doing a LOT of damage. That reminds me of my dad teaching me to drive 4wd. "if you can't see where you're going, get out and look." and "if you think you'll get stuck or damage your vehicle, you're probably right. Make a new plan."

This video is gold. If you want to be self reliant, especially in back-up-plan situations, knowledge is power. Great use of that prussik knot, btw. Thanks for the video!

Watched My Grandpa and His friend do this 40+ years ago in the woods to free the tractor. I wasn't paying attention, I could have learned something (Though in My partial defense I was told to stay far away for now obvious reasons).

Ingenious! Never seen this before. Thanks for sharing. Cheers! 👍

Almost got stuck in the Costa Rican rain forest. Now it doesn't matter with your video. Thanks and Godspeed. JUST SUBSCRIBED !

Ingenious, amazing what necessity spawns when need arises. I’ve been rigging in the line work trade for 4 decades, I’ve never seen this used. Thanks for sharing.

Outstanding demonstration. Thanks for showing an easy way to do a natural winch technique without unnecessary tools.

Throw a t-shirt or jacket over the haul line so if the chain, rop or cable breaks it will stop any chance of it killing anyone. I have used it on steel cable of 1.125 inch cable and they stop in a pile under the break every time. Far too many folks get hurt bad that need not get hurt at all. I have been in the bush my entire life and haven't seen one of these. I am truly impressed ! Stop by for a visit new friend ! ! ! Soooo many times 4 to 6 inches is the difference between stuck and not eh !

Great presentation. But what I really enjoyed was listening to the hawk screeching in the background.

Loving it. It's so irritating to learn tricks like this, but never need to use... and so you forget all about it.

This is what I call a Spanish Yoke and it's got me out of trouble a couple of times. Thanks for posting

This is invaluable information. makes me feel smarter knowing how to do this.

wish i had this instruction in 1984 when i got stuck in a pond with my truck when i was a teenager, i walked for miles to town to get a tow, great video, thank you for the new winch tool

Wow, what a great idea! I would never have thought of that by myself. It's amazing what you can do with basic materials and some ingenuity.

never seen this one Thanks for sharing!

This is easily the best demonstration of the flip-flop winch that I've seen on RU-vid, thank you for this! I had the privelage of attending a training course with Mors Kochanski some years ago, what a fellow. Cheers from Toronto, Ontario.

Knowing this could have saved me hundreds of $. Enjoyed your video greatly! THANKS ! !

Thanks for the in-depth demonstration! I would've never thought to do something like this, this is truly innovative! Truly impressive, I learned a lot today. Keep up the great work!

Yes! This should be video of the year!

Amazing. Great tool for those who don't hit their thumb with a hammer. For those who do hit their thumb with a hammer when nailing, move on to a cooking show that does not use knives! Great video...

Tidy Bach , simple but very effective. Handy tip to have in your armoury.

We used to use these in the scouts for different activties, they were briliant.Thank you for reminding me. Good onya.

Thank you for sharing your wisdom! Very much appreciated here! 🍻

Awesome tip. Great for when your snowmobile is stuck and you're alone. Cheers.

Just when you think you have seen it all. That just made my day!!!

Thanks a ton bud, really helped pulling my car up the driveway (got no feet so I can't push). Have a good weekend!

Great demonstration! when I worked in forest surveys we would drive the truck on bush roads until it got stuck and then walk. We got out with a 4 foot farm jack but that can be dangerous and damage the vehicle. I would caution against using your method of tying the rope to the bumper. The hole thru the steel is a good way to cut the rope. Better to do a wrap or two around the bumper and use a floor mat where there is an edge.

thanks! work smarter not harder and working off grid - often alone - this is a great demo for me.

Jesus Christ, why do I look at the comments? Great video, dude. Thanks! I wore my safety goggles while watching, just in case :P

That is an excellent video. thank you for sharing your knowledge. Appreciate it.

Outdoors engineering with simple materials.. a beautiful thing

Good video. Thanks for sharing. Wish I'd seen this six months ago. Had some big rocks that needed to be moved. I know it would've worked.

Thank you for sharing this knowledge 👍

Brilliant. Will definitely keep this one in mind.

That's a massive mechanical advantage with very basic kit. Thanks for the detailed explanation. It's great to see how you can control the forces on your own with a bit of forward planning. I guess it's about an hour or so to get setup?

Such a handy tip. Thanks for sharing your knowledge

I had been wondering how to get my car out if it gets stuck in a pit, since my car has no winch on itself. This is the answer to my question. Great tip to know!

Very well done. Thanks for sharing.

I just became a little more knowledgeable on getting unstuck in the woods. Thank you.

I had the great pleasure of listening to Mors for hours and hours when he came to Wales for Bushmoot. Unbelievable depth of knowledge and a great teacher. RIP.

Thank you so much for posting! Never know when this might come in handy! I popped up for my viewing quite randomly. I believe everything has a reason behind it and this is a great piece of knowledge to have when 911 isn't there for you!

Thank you for sharing this clever method. HOWEVER, I implore anyone not to tie their rope straight through a hole like shown on the vehicle bumper. That was a straight hole so has 2 sharp edges and the rope was cinched tight. I strongly suggest having a bow or D shackle in your kit and if possible a sheeve (or some rag wrapped around the shackle) to widen the turn of the rope. The weakest part of a rope is at a tight bend in a knot. 30 years ago I was a rigger and I have seen some nasty results to human flesh when a rope under tension snaps.

When you have nothing else, I see the value in this.

Good one I'll be filling that away in the back of my mind. Which reminds me I need to get back there and straighten out them files.

3/4" mountaineering rope, or maybe even one inch, works good for this. Frickin' ingenious.

Great practical engineering video for pulling heavy objects. Thank you.

Brilliant, loved the video and the concept, well done Sir.

I remember seeing this in action as a kid. Thats for helping me to remember this great technique

I love those who do something good for the humanity. Thank you Sir.

Very easy, practical improvisation. Yes watch the full video ref safety measures in case the rope snaps. It is covered. Thank you for sharing. All the best.

Hey Brother! The best knot for towing is the bowline. Why? Because no matter how tight you make it you can break the knot and untie it and reuse that rope down the line.

So well presented and such a valuable method. The ingenuity of man is wondrous

Thank you for carrying on the traditions of our ancestors.

I’ll remember this technique for the rest of my days, for this I thank you. Oh ya I just subscribed to your channel.

Archimedes would be proud of this simple method very resourceful.

The 837 dislikes are the kinda people to not say thank you to someone holding a door for them.