Hand Winches

G'day lads,

I know this thread is perhaps a dead issue to some, but I am interested in purchasing a hand winch, (due to the Foz being pretty much stock ATM).

I have read review after review, scrutinised a lot, so on and so forth, but as Subaru enthusiests, I suppose its best to ask you lads right?

I don't want to haul a massive Tirfor style winch if i don't have to, but at the same time, I want to be able to get out of trouble, something I fear a Hand puller (or come-along for our Yank mates) may not be up to the task.

My basic requirement is that being that the Foz is not modified for any tough off roading, I shouldn't be going to get into too much trouble right? So would a hand puller be good for that insurance policy? I'm leaning towards one (around the 4k pull capacity) as I'm a more bang for your buck sort of bloke, and going for a tirfor or hi-lift style just seems overkill for where i can feasibly take my car in its current unmodified condition. (may change of course)

If users of both could let me know opinions, experiences, and help shed some light on this for me, that would be great.

Cheers,

Aitcho

P.S. This is my second post despite reading every thread most days. Go figure.
 
Any sort of hand winch is a third choice behind a support vehicle with a snatch strap or a jack and a shovel. They are hard work.

I've been carrying a cheapie like the middle one in carljwnc's pics for years, and it has pulled my L Series (1300kg) and my Falcons (1600kg) uphill in practice runs a few times. The only occasions I've actually used it for recovery, it's been by throwing the case under a spinning wheel and driving out on it.

https://www.bushwinch.com.au/ looks interesting. Bit pricey though.

Dane.
 
Aitcho said:
G'day lads,

I know this thread is perhaps a dead issue to some, but I am interested in purchasing a hand winch, (due to the Foz being pretty much stock ATM).

I have read review after review, scrutinised a lot, so on and so forth, but as Subaru enthusiests, I suppose its best to ask you lads right?

I don't want to haul a massive Tirfor style winch if i don't have to, but at the same time, I want to be able to get out of trouble, something I fear a Hand puller (or come-along for our Yank mates) may not be up to the task.

My basic requirement is that being that the Foz is not modified for any tough off roading, I shouldn't be going to get into too much trouble right? So would a hand puller be good for that insurance policy? I'm leaning towards one (around the 4k pull capacity) as I'm a more bang for your buck sort of bloke, and going for a tirfor or hi-lift style just seems overkill for where i can feasibly take my car in its current unmodified condition. (may change of course)

If users of both could let me know opinions, experiences, and help shed some light on this for me, that would be great.

Cheers,

Aitcho

P.S. This is my second post despite reading every thread most days. Go figure.
Click to expand...

Hi Aitcho

I to was looking at one of the small hand winches the first one in the pic but i was not happy with the length of cable or lack of it's 1.5m

The places that i take my subie it would struggle or i would be there all day winching then running out of cable then winching again.

So i kept a look out for a big hand winch for the right price it's a bit of over kill and very heavy but. I feel a lot safer when in the middle of the forest 20m down a hill and get stuck with no phone or radio service for miles.

If you are only going on some fairly easy tracks or muddy spots then something like the first or second one would be fine.

But the general rule is don't go out on your own always go with somebody and have a snatch strap in each car that will give you 18m in length 9m x2

Up to now snatch straps have always got us out of some pretty ordinary places the most i have joined together is 5 straps

But if you go out on your own then yes any winch will do, but you still have to find a tree or object to tie it down on to it could be 10m away.So a snatch strap will come in handy as well. Hope this helps

Here is a video of a mate and i we had 2 straps each and needed all of them [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV6uA9A6LSM"]YouTube- Subaru a hilux recovery vehicle[/ame]

Jan
 
G'day lads,

Thanks for the replies. As I mentioned, because my car is pretty much stock standard at the moment, I only take it places it and I can go. Usually sand (I shouldn't, really need a sump guard...) bush tracks and the like. It is sort of an interest that i am still gaining experience in and therefore am still treading carefully.

I agree with you Jan that going with another is a good idea. But i am sort of opportunistic in my off road travels and just go down tracks as i notice them (don't we all...? )

I suppose that just haveing a hand puller style winch is better than nothing, and should the need arise, at least I have something right?

Once I modify the Foz for some serious off roading, I no doubt would upgrade the recovery gear to accomodate this. At the moment I only really need a snatch, tree trunk protector/distribution strap, shackles, shovel, etc.

I will probably go with the $70.00 jobby at super cheap. Rated to 4 ton, and that Ridge Ryder gear they flog has stood up to the test so far. In fact a mate put me on to it after he hauled out my much heavier 09 Hyundai Sante- Fe (Great soft roader in itself) with a similar hand puller style winch.

Again, always open to thoughts, opinions and advice from other members though.
 
Aitcho said:
As I mentioned, because my car is pretty much stock standard at the moment, I only take it places it and I can go. Usually sand (I shouldn't, really need a sump guard...) bush tracks and the like. It is sort of an interest that i am still gaining experience in and therefore am still treading carefully.
Click to expand...
I would still get a sump guard, especially if you like sand driving, as sand really likes ripping the plastic OEM sump guards off. :iconwink: :)

As for a hand winch, I can't help much in that department unfortunately, sorry mate. :(

But I have to agree with what has been said previously in that a 10-20 mtr cable sounds the go, due to the nearest tree (thats strong enough) may be quite a few metres away from where you are stuck.

Also when whinching, always put a towel or the like over the cable too. Safety first.

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
Aitcho said:
G'day lads,

I will probably go with the $70.00 jobby at super cheap. Rated to 4 ton, and that Ridge Ryder gear they flog has stood up to the test so far. In fact a mate put me on to it after he hauled out my much heavier 09 Hyundai Sante- Fe (Great soft roader in itself) with a similar hand puller style winch.
Click to expand...

I bought one from super cheap about 4 years ago i still use it today and probably used 150 times :twisted: only cost me $45

Jan
 
G'day again lads,

Cheers Mr. Turbo. I do agree about the sump guard and that. 20m's for a winch does allow you to try obstacles with a bit more confidence. I know when I'm flogging the Army land rovers at work out bush that you don't care, knowing that you have all the nessesary recovery gear/winching capacity.

Also, probably because its not your car, you flog it like you stole it.... :-D

But as i said, I won't go anywhere stupid that my Foz won't handle. Not until she's upgraded like some of the lads' machines on here.... A hand winch is that 'just in case' factor.

And I promise to be safe when winching. Been taught about dampeners and the like. And NOT to try to winch out at the car. There are some retards out there....
 
I'm not sure what kind of hand winch I should be looking for? As of right now all I have if I get stuck is a tow strap? I am looking for a hand winch and I am lost? Haha I found this on eBay and it is cheap......It's probably completely wrong for what I need, but here is a link.

https://cgi.ebay.com/4-TON-COME-ALONG-3-HOOK-New-Cable-Hoist-Puller-Tool_W0QQitemZ360251832957QQcategoryZ66796QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3907.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DSIC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%252BDDSIC%26otn%3D8%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D9203386406641256711#ht_1262wt_941
 
Hi BDeanJr86

That type of winch is ok the down side is you only get 10' of cable which is good for one of them you normally you see them 1.5 m (5') long.
The longer the better when winching you won't have to keep moving the extension strap as much:)

I would get a snatch-em strap first or as well a tow strap won't do much. If you got stuck in mud you will break a tow strap easily

I have put up this video of me pulling out two "real 4wd's" up to there axles in sand have a look at how much force there is on the snatch-em strap it wasn't that harder pull either
I have seen a car stuck in the same place using a tow strap one of the guys from the club tried to pull them out with it and he got bogged too

Snatch-em straps are worth there weight in gold don't forget 2 rated bow shackles as well

Remember never go out on your own if you do don't rely on the winch only use it as a last resort.

Jan
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQjjTZEDZe0[/ame]
 
BDeanJr86 said:
I'm not sure what kind of hand winch I should be looking for? As of right now all I have if I get stuck is a tow strap? I am looking for a hand winch and I am lost? Haha I found this on eBay and it is cheap......It's probably completely wrong for what I need, but here is a link.

https://cgi.ebay.com/4-TON-COME-ALO...ps=63&clkid=9203386406641256711#ht_1262wt_941
Click to expand...

Have a look at my post #20 and check out the link to the More Power Puller. Quite a bit more expensive, but probably worth every penny, and much more cable.
 
carljwnc said:
Have a look at my post #20 and check out the link to the More Power Puller. Quite a bit more expensive, but probably worth every penny, and much more cable.
Click to expand...

G'day Carl,

mine arrived 2 weeks ago and i did get the 3 ton model.... it's awesome mate

IMG_0743.jpg


onebob
 
Look forward to seeing it next weekend onebob.
What did it set you back? (The pricing on their site is from 2008.)
With the Au$ back over 90c U$ I'm thinking it would be a good time to pick one up myself.
I see you stuck with the steel cable rather than the new synthetic rope. Interested in your thoughts - cost / longevity? (Vehicle recovery in mud etc is probably not the ideal situation for rope.)
 
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Hi Barry, the 2008 pricing is still current however it was still an expensive exercise with the freight costing more than winch itself. With 3 choker cables my all up spend was US$490. Absolutely love it and yes i went for the cable due to concerns about abrasion on the synthetic rope. There's a glitch with the online ordering and it doesn't work with international orders because wont accept our postcodes and telephone numbers, but there is a work around that they got me to use. PM me if you're interested.

onebob
 
That would make it a similar cost to a Magnum / Black Rat copy of the Tirfor hand winch.
Something to think about, anyway.
 
Hi Barry, yep you're right..... but if you have ever had to set a Tirfor up, use it, and pack one up the choice is easy. In anycase it doesn't matter what you buy 'cos from that point on you'll never need it - that's the way the universe works :)

onebob
 
onebob said:
G'day Carl,

mine arrived 2 weeks ago and i did get the 3 ton model.... it's awesome mate

onebob
Click to expand...

Awesome!!!:) Touch wood, I still haven't had to use mine.

An idea I've had, and maybe y'all have some input on it; consider storing it with the cable loosely coiled instead of wound up on the spool. I got mine used, and the only damage (yes, I'm going to replace it) looks to be from where the cable has been wound up tight over itself over the years, crushed and frayed. Could add years of service life to the cable.
 
Be careful guys = there are some dodgy winches out there that "looks ok" but there are hidden dangers.. - ive been through one once and never again and lucky i didnt visit the hospital! Cheers AP
 
OK we need specs. whats the load rating? is there a safety sheer breaking point? how long is the over all length of recovery? come on feed us!
 
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