Hand winch capacity
Submitted: Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 15:34
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Kirk and Jeanette
I am looking to buy a hand winch but have a question relating to the required capacity. I have done some research and read some articles from this site. They say that the winch should be rated at 1 1/2 times the weight of the vehicle. If the vehicle weighs 2 tonne then the winch should be rated at 3 tonne. The
winches I have seen at various shops are generally rated at 2.4 or 2.5 and they say that is all you need. What are your thoughts on this as I don't want to spend good money on something that isn't man enough for the job.
Reply By: Member - Oldbaz. NSW. - Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 16:19
Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 16:19
At no time (I hope) will you have the weight of your vehicle
suspended by your winch. The actual weight on the cable will
vary in accordance with the situation. With a hand winch of the
Tirfor or similar variety, I would suggest the limiting factor will be
the amount of human energy your team can bring to bear. I
doubt the capacity of the winch will be exceeded, providing
proper attachments are made..........oldbaz.
AnswerID:
336234
Follow Up By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 16:46
Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 16:46
I am with 'Oldbaz', you should try and borrow a Tirfor and actually try using it and see just how hard it is to use. You could
well change your mind if you find that you are not physically strong enough to operate it.
FollowupID:
603915
Follow Up By: Member - Oldbaz. NSW. - Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 16:54
Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 16:54
AAAh!! I see you have used one too...Not quick or easy but they remain a viable alternative to an expensive electric jobbie, & work
in any direction as
well.........oldbaz.
FollowupID:
603919
Follow Up By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 16:57
Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 16:57
Half the trouble is getting the thing to stay still while you try and work that short handle !! And if you are on a slippery slope - forget it. :-))
FollowupID:
603920
Follow Up By: garrycol - Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 19:53
Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 19:53
Then why are
well fitting 9000ib and 12,000ib electric
winches to our 4wds - why not save a bit of money and fit 5000ib electric
winches in line with 2.5t (5000ib) hand
winches that are recommended.
Garry
FollowupID:
603954
Reply By: Member - Redbakk (WA) - Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 19:45
Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 19:45
" I hope to never get myself in that much trouble"
Well I did when on a lonely beach I got too close to a wash out and the troopy went forward, down and on her side....I thought I had lost her to the waves...but as luck would have it the tide was on its way out.
Out with the shovels and exhaust jack....a forward mounted winch was no use to me at all buried in the sand ( she was nose down...rear up...about 4 feet up in the air.
At this point I was wishing I had a tirfor as I could of held her to prevent her from going completely over on her side.
It took many hours of careful digging, jacking to get her level and more digging to be able to have a ramp to drive her out which was a great relief to be able to do....like the Pope....I kissed the ground when she was finally free.
I immediately, on my return to civilization, when to my nearest opposite lock store and bought a tirfor which is now part of my recovery gear and I never go anywhere without it.
AnswerID:
336267
Follow Up By: Member - Mark E (VIC) - Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 21:19
Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 21:19
Redbakk,
I have a Tirfor which I bought for my last 4WD which had no front mounted electric winch. My current car has a Warn !2,000k winch, but I have kept the old Tirfor for those trips when I'm away by myself and may get into a sticky situation. It goes in the drawer.
They are heavy items to lug around, but I'd rather have it than not....
Cheers,
Mark
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603965