Bushranger Emergency Hand Winch

Savvas,

Had a look at the website you mentioned. This looks identical to the light duty units I've seen at Autobarn / Reject shop etc. IMHO don't waste your money. These are really little more than a fence wire strainer. When you need a hand winch you REALLY need it, so get something that'll do the job. I use a "Big Haul" winch. It's 3 times the size of the unit, yet rated to a realistic 1600kg. You can double that with a snatch block, to a usable 3200kg, but even then, pulling a stuck 4wd uphill is backbreaking work ! That's with the leverage of a 1.5m long steel handle ! I wouldn't imagine the unit you mention would cut the mustard.

Cheers, Les

The only situation that you can use this device would be reseting the tyre on the rim. That is it.

Thanks guys .... I thought as much. Bushranger do some reasonable gear, so I'm a bit surprised that they'd be pushing this as a recovery item.

I was at a show the other day having a look at the same bushranger hand winch. It is very light duty compared to a tirfor or the like. The price looks good, but if it is not useful, then I guess they are worthless and you should not waste your money. Cheers, Matt.

Savvas. Mate, I am a fully qualified Pannel Beater and have been for 10 years. I have been using this type of winch in my shop in one form or another with upwards of 4.5t on these with the help of one pully. They may look weak as bleep but they can take a bloody good hiding, (BUT!) I belive the situation that may include the pulling of dead weight up an incline, out in the scrub miles from any where, If I were standing next to that winch, I would want to be sure that it can handle it safely. I have just purchased a big haul and had to use it last week in that very situation. I think I did the right thing just for peace of mind. It's worth spending a little more money just for that. I hope this has helped.