A little guidance on winches

[Piglet]

i just ordered a smittybilt 9500 on amazon for $280 shippped. i have a few friends with the same winch and have had zero problems. backed up with a nice warranty.
http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JXS3BXI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

 

[elan]

I'm still reading the responses, you guys are so helpful.

 

[nvrstuk]

If you need to snatch block a rig with flat tires your winch isn't big enough or your wiring isn't up to date

I talked to WARN last week about maximum amperage draw on my HF9500i or any other WARN and the tech said your wiring should be able to carry 500 amps for whatever amount of time your winch is on... Anything less and you potentially can burn up the windings.

My battery is in the back of my Bronco and I was running new welding cable to the front...

 

[House]

Funny tidbit of info from a former Warn executive: 90% of winches sold never get used.

 

[firewalker73]

I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for. For the type of use you are describing I would go with a warn M8000. Very good winch for the money. I personally would only spend my money on a Warn or Ramsey winch but I'm in the 10% crowd that will use them. I lean towards the warns because I don't care for the controller on the Ramsey. I've had 4 warns and 2 Ramsey's ranging from 2500 lb atv winches up to 9500 on my jeep. All have been good to me.

 

[bronconut73]

I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for. For the type of use you are describing I would go with a warn M8000. Very good winch for the money. I personally would only spend my money on a Warn or Ramsey winch but I'm in the 10% crowd that will use them. I lean towards the warns because I don't care for the controller on the Ramsey. I've had 4 warns and 2 Ramsey's ranging from 2500 lb atv winches up to 9500 on my jeep. All have been good to me.

First post.

Welcome to CB.
The best damn site on the net,

 

[firewalker73]

Thanks for the welcome

 

[nvrstuk]

Funny tidbit of info from a former Warn executive: 90% of winches sold never get used.

I believe it! Look at the roller fairleads...no wear=no use... I'm in the 1% who uses them so much he's burned up 3 WARN 8274 winch motors and they were rewound by Warn... dual batteries back then too... went PTO because I could use it all day so long as I didn't run out of gas. ;D

Now I'm back to a HS9500i.

Good luck, remember, they only burn up or quit working when you need them!

 

[DirtDonk]

Which is a good reason to at least turn them on to spool out and spool back in a couple of times a year. Especially if your rig sits outdoors.
Last place you want to be is "in need" when you find out it's got stuck solenoids or bum wiring or a frozen motor or something.
Sitting is their enemy. Especially the cheaper models from what I've seen.

And less expensive does usually mean slower. Lower powered motors cost less, but require lower gearing to get the same pull rating. Lower gears means slower speeds.
Anyone used to one winch, best be on guard when manning the controls of an unfamiliar winch. You might be surprised and the speed differences of some. And nobody wants to see your hand get winched in!

Paul