Thread: PTO winch for a Tdi Defender questions

Quite a few pros and cons


But just a couple

No engine no winch, if you have drowned the car or can't start it then you will have not winch.

Can't drive and winch which can be very useful at times.

Can't reverse


Lots of conections under the car that I have always thought would be livable to be damaged when off roading

They are Very bulky and heavy, and difficult to use and get the hang of.


On the plus

very powerful.

No crappy electric winch motor.

No banks of expensive batteries to run it.

As for fitting into a TJM bar I am not sure but know in the uk all the electric board company defenders have PTO winches and they have to have a special bumper to fit them. So I would say more than likely no. As all the bits won't line up.

I guess you probably mean the Thomas PTO winch.

You need a suitable PTO drive, Winch & cradle and the driveshaft.
I haven't really noticed the prices 2nd hand, but in good nick I'd say that lot would cost you more than a middle grade electric, but maybe the batteries might change that.

With fitting: There is a cradle on the PTO winch that pushes the whole assembly forward by the length of the winch cradle. The bull bat then attaches to then end of winch cradle. You could probably get any bar to fit, but really need a custom bar to make it sit right -i.e. in front of the grill

Thomas PTOs do have any manual winch override so you can use the supplied handle if you engine fails too.

I am far from convinced they are that much heavier as the winch itself is just a worm gear and aluminum drum - no motor.

They are slower to set up and use though - no question.

There other threads around read them too.

I've had mine for 20 years now and wouldn't go back.

Clive

Originally Posted by VladTepes

1. How much for a suitable winch, and associated necessary hardware.

This will give you an idea of cost..... For Sale - pto winch suit lt95 county

Cheers, murray

Come have a look at mine......it's mounted to a TJM bar

Not sure if reads has owned or operated one......

I can winch if the engine is dead.......if I had the handle
I can drive and winch at the same time, just engage t-case
Reverse?? Not sure what you mean...winch out? Just use reverse gear
One shaft and one cable.......mine hasn't been a problem, never seen a damaged component on a ARMY install
Bulky? Sits behind the bar so all good
Heavy? Yes Slightly
Difficult to use?? Umm not really
- T-case into neutral
- free spool rope out
- engage dog clutch
- engage pto
- select a gear
- Release clutch
- you have four gears and variable speed via accelerator = more control

It's late, I think I have it round the right way

Have you consider hydraulic drive on the PTO

Originally Posted by Reads90

Quite a few pros and cons


But just a couple

No engine no winch, if you have drowned the car or can't start it then you will have not winch.

Can't drive and winch which can be very useful at times.

Can't reverse


Lots of conections under the car that I have always thought would be livable to be damaged when off roading

They are Very bulky and heavy, and difficult to use and get the hang of.


On the plus

very powerful.

No crappy electric winch motor.

No banks of expensive batteries to run it.

As for fitting into a TJM bar I am not sure but know in the uk all the electric board company defenders have PTO winches and they have to have a special bumper to fit them. So I would say more than likely no. As all the bits won't line up.

Originally Posted by VladTepes

1. How much for a suitable winch, and associated necessary hardware.
2. Installation cost?
3. Can they be bolted into a normal winch bar (in this case a TJM bullbar) ?


Wondering how they stack up against an electric winch - pro's and con's.

1. I paid $400 for a complete unit
2. I installed my own....I remember a frantic call to JC at one stag.....would hate to think what it would cost if a shop had to do it.....it would be costly as you need to make a cradle, modify your bar, install new exhaust, bolt drive onto t-case, install drive shafts, install mechanical or cable for PTO engagement
3. No, it's not a straight bolt up....custom cradle and cutting up your bar

On one outing the boys with electric winches backed away.......due to the amount of winching (winching logs into place to make a bridge) the PTO just kept going, didn't have to worry about heat build up, battery condition and that annoying noise electric winches make

Originally Posted by weeds

Come have a look at mine......it's mounted to a TJM bar

Not sure if reads has owned or operated one......

Only used the Superwinch one. Not a friendly as your by the sounds of things.
We had problems with it, maybe years of electric winches does not help when you get to a PTO.

Superwinch PTO on a defender

Well I don;t think I'll bother then.

Originally Posted by VladTepes

Well I don;t think I'll bother then.

what.....after all my effort in posting a reply

maybe sleep on it for a few nights