Winch Capacity

I realise this will be a difficult subject to search the forum on because of the number of hits but try “hand winch” and similar: I went through this process about 12 months ago and received some excellent advice from here.

I settled on the Big Haul which was recommended by a number of people and cost $400
Site Link

by the time I had bought the other bits (tree trunk protector, snatch block etc) it cost me about $500.

I would recommend you do not buy the Super Cheap winch but, instead, go for a name brand which meets Oz standards requirement. In my opinion winches are one of those case where you _do_ “get what you pay for” :) If my $98 GMC generator breaks down in the middle of nowhere I don’t really care – if my winch fails… I do!

Lots of info on all things winch like:
Site Link

Very important winching information which should be understood by everyone who uses a winch for vehicle recovery:
Site Link

Mike Harding

Yep thats the standard size Ian.

Most things from those sorts of places should be brought
on a "I'm going to check it out throughly and may take it back
for a refund" basis only.

Hand winches really have a limited range of applications and
the 1600kg rating is more about the physical effort required
to use them than anything else.

Unless you a physically fit you might find the smaller 800kg rating
ones better. This is because they use thinner easy to handle cable.

Couldn't reccomend either though , chains have a wider range of
application particularly in Vic

Robin Miller

I agree with Mike H, go for a name brand, such as 'Big Haul' or the likes. Although many of the cheaper winches look the same, it doesnt mean that the internal parts will be the same, and the time that it fails, is the time that you really need it.

When I was looking for a winch, I did a bit of research and looking around. I ended up placing a wanted add in the trader section of this website, and within a couple of days I had a reply.I ended up getting a high quality winch, for a price cheaper than a cheap chiwainnese winch. Dont be afraid to look at second hand. I did, and have been happy ever since. Make sure you get a good indication of its history, and if possible take the covers off to have a look on the inside. Lay the cable out, look for kinks and signs of trauma in the cable.

From my research, and what I remember, the 1600kg relates to direct vertical pull, i.e. lifting straight up. That was info I found on a UK site. If I can find the web address, I shall post it. 1600 should be more than capable, throw in a snatch block, and you should get yourself out of most problems.

Good luck.

Buying a second hand genuine Tirfor T516 (1600kg) winch is a good option. Usually can find one thats rarely been used, and they are the original and best. Brand new, they cost about $700 - ARB used to stock them.

In addition, its best to buy a tree truck protector and a snatch block as well, because on the few occasions we've used a hand winch, we were thankful that we used the snatch block to halve the load.

Hows it going ,

I was comitted to geting a hand winch , only because it could winch in all directions .

I was able to have a go of someone elses winch before I bought one , it was quite hard work .

I was getting a full stock of recovery gear ,before I went away with only my missus . A fella at work said he had a day up the Cape where he did 4 major recoveries , I think this would be insane with a hand winch.

I bought a Port-a-winch , I dont think you can get these any more .

As mentioned earlier , dont skimp on recovery gear , you could put yourself and others at risk by applying high loads to no name crap.

Glenn

Ian, we carry a new Big Haul. Have never fired it in anger (and would pray not to, if I thought the Call could be answered). Have 2nd hand Tyrepliers in mint condition.
Go second hand. One day we all offload our 'surplus to requirements'
stuff. Easy to tell usage/original care.
. (My prob is that, by the time I'm ready to chuck it in and give away the recovery gear, Yoda and The Force will have made the whole schbang redundant: thank you for staying). Hahahahah uh? hmm.
. JH.

I thought I saw TMAX 9000lb electric winches at Supercrap the other day for $799.
Of course it will need fitting but much easier than hand winches.

Some of the decent tirfors Ive seen are so big I would rather have the electric winch on the front.

If I was only heading into sandy desert type areas I might consider sand mats and a good compressor as adequate especially with a lighter vehicle.