Aldi 4WD gear any good?

[DiscoMick]

Down at my local Aldi tonight saving a few bucks and I notice their catalogue is advertising the following:

$399 Heavy duty 4WD winch 12v or 24v with wireless remote, single line pull ratingh 4300kg (9500lb). 5.5 hp/4kw series wound motor. Three stage planetary gear train with 195.4:1 ratio. Four way roller fairlead. 28m of 8.3mm diameter cable. Comes with leather gloves and line dampener.

$99 air compressor in a heavy duty plastic carry case. 12v. 150psi. pressure guage. Automatic thermal off switcvh. Includes spare fuses, 7m air hose. 150lpm.

$14.99 Ratchet tie down.

$49.99 4WD Recovery kit. 1 x 8000kg snatch strap with reinforced loop ends. 2 x 3.25t bow shackles. a x folding shovel. 1 x pair of gloves. 1 x heavy duty carry bag.

Plus other car stuff.

These are obviously very cheap prices compared with 4WD stores, so my question is, is this good stuff for the money or cheap rubbish?

[awabbit6]

I noticed their $399 winch too. I'm tempted to try one at that price.

I would prefer one of the better Chinese ones like the Tigerz but they are almost twice the price (depending on the model). I figure that the change I would have from the Aldi winch could buy alot of extra recovery gear (snatch blocks, winch extension strap etc) that will enhance the winch's performance.

My only concern is that while a winch may not be used often but it has to work 100% when it is needed.
I figure that for $399 it is worth buying one to pull apart, looking for points of failure and modifying where necessary.

Still not committed to buy one yet though ...

[kaa45]

There was a lot of discussion on cheap winches (including Aldi) about 2 years ago. Try a search.

[stig0000]

il be buying one, i guess for 400 bucks you cant go wrong, if it breaks it under warranty adn its not a 4wd shop,, so they wont no what to look for they will just replace witch they have done before,

i will be mounting the solenoid under the bonnet tho, till that goes and just buy a good one off the net and fit that:D

[Mick_Marsh]

The only good things I have bought from Aldi have been fresh fruit and veg and three pyrex dishes. All the rest has been crap. I still have an unused Terfer style winch that no-one knows how to use.

[Ausfree]

Has anybody any thoughts on the $99 Air Compressor and the $49.99 4WD recovery Kit for very occasional use!!!:)

[akelly]

I have the winch and compressor. Let me say up front that I'm normally the type to buy the best quality I can afford, but I was curious about the Aldi stuff and thought "why not"?

I'm yet to mount the winch, but I bought one for my Dad at the same time (18 months ago?) and he is stoked with his - he had it apart when fitting and said it looks quite solid. He did say it draws a massive amount of current though.

The compressor is excellent - I've used it pretty regularly to inflate motorbike tyres and also an inflatable boat, works a treat.

I think if you understand that there is a big difference between a $300 compressor and a $100 compressor and dont expect them to be the same then you'll be fine. Same goes for the winch - its not going to be as good as a Warn, but if you accept that then you'll be happy.

Cheers,

Adam

[redrover3]

From what I recall, the Aldi winch was a re-badged cheaper (but ok) winch. Maybe Ironman. In the review, they pulled it apart to see what the quality was like. I think it was pretty good for the money, suitable for occasional recreational use if maintained well. Try and find the thread before buying.
Tony

[zuno555]

il be buying one, i guess for 400 bucks you cant go wrong

Sorry, but lol. A cheap winch "going wrong" could be a fatal disaster at worst, gears shredding, cable snapping "rated" points failing, with 2.5tonne of car hanging off it, where is car going to roll/fall/land?? :eek:

Not knocking aldis stuff or your comment, just saying with a winch you would want some sort of reassurance and trust in the product.

I bought an ironman winch (cheap winch yes, but with supposed hardened gear sets and at least a name to stand behind), and I know for a fact that the FIRST time aldis had 4wd winches, they were re-boxed ironmans. I am spewing I had just got my ironman a few months earlier, however I needed the winch on my first outing :D The second time they had winches, they were sourced from somewhere else. I remember taking photos of the boxes in store to do some follow up research. However, this is pretty hard to do on weird boxed chinese stuff..... :)

That said, I have bought other aldis stuff (tools) and they have all been reasonable quality.

The first thing I would do is strip it down and put some quality grease in there, and maybe attempt to seal the solenoid box a bit better or just check it all out. Also, you MUST install a cut off switch on the power to the winch. I have seen a solenoid fused on and the winch just kept spooling! Luckily the clutch was engaged, but it was a mad rush to get spanners out to disconnect the battery lead :o

If I were to buy a winch today I would probably look at the tigerz or another ironman. Warn are just too much $$$.

[p38arover]

I noticed my local Aldi still has some camping portable hot water systems reduced to $190.

[Blknight.aus]

the recovery kit is worth it, the winch is a knock off of the ironman so when it clags you just buy the iron man guts and fit it up.

a couple of mates tried the water heater/shower thing and had some issues with it but still prefer it over my bilge pump in a bucket of cold water with a hose and nozzle setup that I use.

[MacMan]

I bought one of their hand winches a few years back. Not once have I had to use it to recover the Disco or any other vehicle. It has, however, moved about 10T of rocks and countless other big heavy things, pulled out tree stumps and so on without fuss. Best Aldi buy ever.

[Don 130]

I still have an unused Terfer style winch that no-one knows how to use.

I haven't seen an aldi one , but tirfors are dead easy to use. unless yours is a very different shape from a genuine tirfor or an Australian Anchor super til or any of the other common ones, you thread/push the cable through the body at the blunt end, till it emerges from the other end and slides freely through. This is after youv'e dissengaged the rope clutch by pulling the 'y' shaped lever as if you're trying to pull it out of the body. When pulled hard enough it will latch into a little notch you can usually see. Once the rope is through and far enough for your purpose, knock the rope clutch lever out of the notch and it will grip the rope. Now you can move the rope through the body by using the extendable handle on either of the other levers. one for forward,and one for reverse. Usually the forward direction handle is more robust than the other.To get the rope out when the job is done and the cable has no load on it, pull the rope clutch lever to dissengage it again. If you practice with it beforehand hooked up between a couple of vehicles you'll soon get it right. Good luck with it, they're very handy.Don

[Milton477]

Cheap insurance. You may only need a winch very occasionally & then how much of the time at 100%. Like others have said, you could strip it down & then put it together properly. I have only used my winch once in 3 years to recover myself & then it was only a short gentle pull. Saved me being recovered by some other marque & the associated ribbing. Thats got to be worth a few $.

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

One thing that always worris me at Aldi is the when you buy something that's not food, the check out person always emphasizes to "Keep Your Receipt"
I know Why, they get a few returns on their merchandise

[ramblingboy42]

my thoughts are if you want to send money to Germany spend up at Aldi.

[jazzaD1]

i'll be buying one, if only for the added confidence when going offroad solo

[Mick_Marsh]

One thing that always worris me at Aldi is the when you buy something that's not food, the check out person always emphasizes to "Keep Your Receipt"
I know Why, they get a few returns on their merchandise
One Aldi ckeckout chick said to me "Hope it works". the slicer did work but not well.

I haven't seen an aldi one , but tirfors are dead easy to use. unless yours is a very different shape from a genuine tirfor or an Australian Anchor super til or any of the other common ones, you thread/push the cable through the body at the blunt end, till it emerges from the other end and slides freely through. This is after youv'e dissengaged the rope clutch by pulling the 'y' shaped lever as if you're trying to pull it out of the body. When pulled hard enough it will latch into a little notch you can usually see. Once the rope is through and far enough for your purpose, knock the rope clutch lever out of the notch and it will grip the rope. Now you can move the rope through the body by using the extendable handle on either of the other levers. one for forward,and one for reverse. Usually the forward direction handle is more robust than the other.To get the rope out when the job is done and the cable has no load on it, pull the rope clutch lever to dissengage it again. If you practice with it beforehand hooked up between a couple of vehicles you'll soon get it right. Good luck with it, they're very handy.Don
One of the local SES voulenteers came around to show me how to work it. After an hour, he gave up and went home.
25268

[DiscoDan]

I bought an air compressor from Aldi several years ago, it seems to be a rebadged bushman's ARB's cheap (expensive) range. Works really well, I used it for doing the car tyres until I upgraded the locker compressor.

I wouldn't use it for 35s but for my 245/75/16's does all 4 tyres from 20 psi to 46 rear and 32 front with no issues.

Saying that my new ARB does it quicker. But it is vehicle mounted and the Aldi one is in a carry box and still used.

Hope this helps
Danny

[**Discovery300Tdi**]

heared there pasta salads are good too lol

but honestly i reckon they'll do until you can afford the more expensive ****. really depends as well on what sort of 4x4in you decided on doing, i mean you would get the winch from aldi if your into extreme rock crawling would ya. i reckon for 300 or so bucks grab it try it and as some of the other chaps said open her up and check it out.

[101 Ron]

I am getting sick of telling people about these winches.
I cannot kill mine and yes I do use it.
there is so many threads about it on ALRO and others.( do a search)
The best test for mine was a 45 degree slope pulling a 130 defender with a twin axle trailer with a 25hp tractor with slasher on that and not realising the trailer front brakes were locked on after three full cable lenght pulls.
People knock them and yet know nothing about them.
Talk to some one who has purchased and used one.
my winch has never been pullled apart and I did a quick check of the grease though the dog clutgh lever and it was good stuff.
Aldi dont always sell rubbish.
I purchased a 2.2 kva generater for 300 dollars and years later it is still going strong.
My last use of my adli winch was pulling a 60 series toyota up a 45 degree slope in sand and two full lenght pull of the cable.
my winch was the second series they sold.
Ron

[zuno555]

I suppose another thing that should be mentioned is that if you treat it well it should be fine, which goes for almost anything. Big hard pulls on a winch shouldnt be done in one continuous pull, they get waaaay hot. A bit like using a hand winch haha, you cant do that in one go, you end up getting waaay hot too :)

Also if you submerge your winch in muddy water then it should be stripped and cleaned and regreased as well. Waterproof?? Not for very long........

[DiscoMick]

So, it sounds like they could be a good thing. Just shows how we're being overcharged in other places.

[p38arover]

One thing that always worris me at Aldi is the when you buy something that's not food, the check out person always emphasizes to "Keep Your Receipt"
I know Why, they get a few returns on their merchandise

I had something fail in warranty but couldn't find the receipt. Aldi Head Office confirmed the date the time went on sale and the price and it matched my credit card statement to the day and the dollar but I couldn't get repair under warranty.

I've bought two DVD recorders from them and both failed - neither replaced under warranty. Hmm, are these in my "faulty goods" thread?

[zuno555]

Wish we had an aldi winch here............................ :D
I think by memory this hand winch cost near on $400, I know what I would prefer :)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/1162.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/1163.jpg

[El Duderino]

A winch wasn't on my list due to the jaw-dropping costs involved and the amount of times I go into a situation saying "oh heck but have a Plan B bolted on"...but at $399 what have you got to lose? Use it in short bursts, treat it kindly, and that's good enough for my needs...and many others if you're totally honest with yourselves.

I'm normally the sort of person who will spend whatever's necessary to buy the best quality, but in this instance I'm happy to re-evaluate things. I'd be lucky to use it once or twice a year (having a tourer rather than an animal), so this sort of purchase at the price just makes sense. ;)

[THE BOOGER]

Mick that hand winch looks identical to one i got from super cheap never used it (yet) but i have instructions somwhere will look and send to you:)

[twitchy]

my thoughts are if you want to send money to Germany spend up at Aldi.

If you bother to check a hell of lot of stuff in Aldi now apparently Germany resides in Sydney..:p


Old man has one of the compressors & it works a treat. I need a new snatch strap after the weekend anyway...:mad:

[Drover]

I have got a mate who works one of the major auto-matic garage door opening companies. They were approached by ALDI to supply a very large order.

This company thought it was x-mas with the huge numbers that ALDI wanted, Until they saw the extreme testing schedule that ALDI insisted on before the purchase. The test was far more rigorous than their own testing procedures.

So, the point is that ALDI don’t just buy crap, it is very well tested and likely to go the distance.

[DiscoMick]

Its good to know they test the stuff properly. My expresso machine is still going fine 6 months after purchase.
If Aldi can sell this stuff for these prices, how much mark up are the 4WD shops putting on - 150%?

[MacMan]

One Aldi ckeckout chick said to me "Hope it works". the slicer did work but not well.

One of the local SES voulenteers came around to show me how to work it. After an hour, he gave up and went home.
25268

To be fair, mine did take a couple of tree stumps to loosen up and allow the cable to be fed in easily.

[Hymie]

One Aldi ckeckout chick said to me "Hope it works". the slicer did work but not well.

One of the local SES voulenteers came around to show me how to work it. After an hour, he gave up and went home.
25268

So how much do you want for it?

[JDNSW]

Its good to know they test the stuff properly. My expresso machine is still going fine 6 months after purchase.
If Aldi can sell this stuff for these prices, how much mark up are the 4WD shops putting on - 150%?

Aldi can cut way below 4WD shop prices because they buy in bulk, and sell quickly - they do not carry anything in stock for very long (this sort of thing anyway), and while they try things (once) to see how much demand there is, they do not repeat things that don't sell. Also, they are organsised so as to run with very little staff, and do not keep on staff any sort of expers.

The 4WD shop, which may sell one winch a week, but very erratically, has to keep stock, and can only order in small numbers - so the supplier has to keep stock themselves. And the 4WD shop, if it is going to succeed, needs to have at least a few people who know what they are talking about most of the time. I am guessing that 150% is about right, Aldi probably manage with only 50%, or possibly even lower if they regard this sort of thing as a lure for customers.

John

[Mudnut]

I have had an Aldi winch on my Defender for the last 3 years. Was getting ready to head up to Cape York and in the store while they had a special on. Was originally $699, marked down to $399. Has been faultless in it's usage, although I knew it would not get a lot of work. It has been a good tool to use pulling logs off the tracks, and such, and even pulled the back of the house off during demolition. Have never had to winch myself out from being stuck. I have always had a problem with hanging thousands of dollars off the end of my truck to get damaged. If I don't feel I can make the hill or crossing, I will try and go around anyway. The only exception was crossing the Wentlock River on the French track. Didn't want to go back, and around, as would have added 5 hours to the trip. Had the winch ready, when I entered the river, and hoped if I got stuck, the crocks were far enough away to get sorted:eek:

As stated earlier, for that kind of money, there is not much to loose.

Cheers,
Ken

[cartm58]

The only good things I have bought from Aldi have been fresh fruit and veg and three pyrex dishes. All the rest has been crap. I still have an unused Terfer style winch that no-one knows how to use.

Tirfor winch

Push top arm forward thread metal winch rope through hole on bottom of body at front and out through rear and run out to winch point relase top arm attach pole to tirfor forward or reverse points and push back and forwards to retrieve or play out winch rope in direction you want to go.

Nothing could be simpler

[Rosscoe68]

The 4WD shop, which may sell one winch a week, but very erratically, has to keep stock, and can only order in small numbers - so the supplier has to keep stock themselves. And the 4WD shop, if it is going to succeed, needs to have at least a few people who know what they are talking about most of the time. I am guessing that 150% is about right, Aldi probably manage with only 50%, or possibly even lower if they regard this sort of thing as a lure for customers.

John
really not sure where you guys pluck your figures from, i know you are only guessing as was the guy you quoted, but.....
i used to work in a spare parts retail outlet. markups are nowhere near either of those figures. try a running profit of less than 20%
you are spot on with the staff knowledge versus a checkout chick. you wouldn't go to a 4wd shop and expect to buy a winch without some sort of knowledge on use/installation/maintenance. however you wouldnt expect any of that from a checkout chick at aldi's. not saying not to buy at aldi's but you wouldn't buy there unless you knew what/how/where to use what you are buying from them.

[big guy]

my thoughts are if you want to send money to Germany spend up at Aldi.

My thoughts are if you want to send money to china spend up in any shop.

If you want to spend up in england, spend up on Landy's.

Buddy, they are employing staff here, paying local and federel taxes, saving locals money and injecting into local councils.
looks at the big picture.
What about the exports to germany.
Oh and to be correct, very little of the products are from germany, checl Label, most are imports, mainly china I hate to say but still imports, fruit is usually local.

How I know or speculate--my old bar manager now shops for Aldi and travels the world doing so. Good on him.

They are price driven like Ikea(also 99% china imports) but serve a niche market which is price conscious.

Like anything, you only get what you pay for.
Good luck to those that buy and I hope it serves you well.;)

[DiscoMick]

I'm an Aldi fan, as anything which breaks the duopoly of Coles and Woolies is a good thing for consumers, I reckon.
Was wandering around Aldi last night (only spending $60 for what might have cost $100 elsewhere) when an old bloke with a central European accent, there with his wife, and I got talking and he said something like: "This Aldi bludy good - better than Coles-Woolies. I shopa here alla time mate." Had to agree.
We go to the refugee fresh fruit and vegetable market at Woodridge here in Logan, which is like the United Nations - great! Their fruit and vegies stay fresh twice as long as the stuff from the supermarkets.
Agree the 4WD stores have specialist advice and the checkout chick would have no idea about winches or 4WD gear but so what? - that's what mates are for.:D

[Razza's Rangie]

Hey guys,

Yeah I am with you all, i recently went down the road of buying a winch, found out the prices and OMG, then i spoke to STIG and he told me about the winch at aldi. I think for $400 bucks you could replace your winch 3 times before coming close to a 4wd shop price....

The Aldi winch is cheap price wise but also is getting sold buy a checkout chick that have ABSOLUTLEY no mechanical knowledge ( or very little) so if it does crap itself then take it back, and it wont be like your local 4wd shop saying,"sorry mate you drowned this one and thats not covered under warranty" where as at aldi, you got your receipt you got a NEW winch!!!

I am going to get one and bolt it to the front of my p38 then going to go and get stuck...and give it a work out....3t of p38 and then lets see how it goes...

Cheers
RAZ

[DiscoMick]

I'm not actually going to buy a winch, since its a low priority for me right now, but the price is certainly right.

[jerryd]

I've had one sitting in my garage for over 12 months, now I can't find a secondhand winch bar to mount it on :D

Anybody got a winch bar suitable for a County going cheap :angel:

[zuno555]

I think for $400 bucks you could replace your winch 3 times.......
........
where as at aldi, you got your receipt you got a NEW winch!!!


Just something to consider here, not knocking the aldis winch or aldis or anything bought from aldis, BUT.....

When something you buy at aldis breaks, how are you just going to take your receipt there and get a new one?? Aldis buys a gazillion of one item, sells the lot within 2 weeks, and bang, stock all gone. VERY rarely they will get the same items again. Yes, this is the 3rd time they have had winches, but this is over quite a few years, and each time the winch has been different!!!!!!

Not sure here, but I think you will probably get either your money back, or a store credit, which still leaves you winch-less.

Where if you buy any other real brand winch - tigerz, ironman, etc etc, at least when it does go bang within the warranty period you will have backup, and out of warranty you will 100% know parts are available for it.

Personally I love aldis and we shop there every week. We save about $50 per week, which is certainly a lot more value than 4c / ltr docket. (Couple of $$ at most) And as mentioned before, check the labels on all their products. Almost everything is "Made by xxxxxx for ALDIs in Australia".

[Ranga]

I've had one sitting in my garage for over 12 months, now I can't find a secondhand winch bar to mount it on :D

Anybody got a winch bar suitable for a County going cheap :angel:

I've got the "rural" looking one pictured in the link in my signature if you're interested. Might have to put some heavy duty springs on the front though!

[abaddonxi]

Just something to consider here, not knocking the aldis winch or aldis or anything bought from aldis, BUT.....

When something you buy at aldis breaks, how are you just going to take your receipt there and get a new one?? Aldis buys a gazillion of one item, sells the lot within 2 weeks, and bang, stock all gone. VERY rarely they will get the same items again. Yes, this is the 3rd time they have had winches, but this is over quite a few years, and each time the winch has been different!!!!!!

Not sure here, but I think you will probably get either your money back, or a store credit, which still leaves you winch-less.

Where if you buy any other real brand winch - tigerz, ironman, etc etc, at least when it does go bang within the warranty period you will have backup, and out of warranty you will 100% know parts are available for it.

Personally I love aldis and we shop there every week. We save about $50 per week, which is certainly a lot more value than 4c / ltr docket. (Couple of $$ at most) And as mentioned before, check the labels on all their products. Almost everything is "Made by xxxxxx for ALDIs in Australia".

From what I've heard on other forums, Aldi keep a certain amount spares, etc. on hand to support warranty repairs/replacements.

Though I imagine that they contract it out to someone else, can't imagine that they staff a winch repairer as a permanent staff member.

[Mick_Marsh]

Tirfor winch

Push top arm forward thread metal winch rope through hole on bottom of body at front and out through rear and run out to winch point relase top arm attach pole to tirfor forward or reverse points and push back and forwards to retrieve or play out winch rope in direction you want to go.

Nothing could be simpler
You're right. The instructions on paper are simple. I've used this style winch before and it was easy. The problem occurs when you introduce the Aldi product. I think this was what I was trying to express in my earlier post.

I can push the top arm forward. there are no problems there.
Threading the metal winch rope, no success so far. this is the step that had the local SES bloke stumped as well.

In my experience, Aldi products don't perform to my expectations.

[THE BOOGER]

Mick i dug out my instructions unforunatly they have been wet and are stuck together will try to get another copy, threading the rope was the hardest part we did it once when we got the thing and havent since;) we found if the end dosnt go in straight it wont go through.

[Mick_Marsh]

Geoff,
I have the instructions in Chinglish which were supplied with the unit.
The instructions are not the problem.
The unit fails to comply with the instructions.
I'll bring it up to Firth Park on QB weekend. Whoever manages to move my Landrover 20ft and demonstrate to me how to correctly use this winch will be given a slab of VB stubbies. How is that for incentive.

regards
Mick

[Stuck]

Not sure here, but I think you will probably get either your money back, or a store credit, which still leaves you winch-less.


I took a punt on one of Aldi's $449 washing machines and it died after 8 months and they refunded in full (no replacements available) so more or less I got to flog someone elses washing machine for 8 months gratis.That's 8 months wear and tear that wasn't clocked up on the name brand one that replaced the Aldi one. It wouldn't have been all beer and skittles though if it had of died after 13 months.
Cheers,
Anthony

[zuno555]

Yes that is one of my points. If your washing machine dies so what? It isnt going to harm anyone. Get your money back and go buy another, (before you start stinking haha)

If your winch dies / fails, it can potentially be a disaster, and could leave you in a bad situation, especially if you are out bush by yourself.

Of course any brand winch no matter how expensive can fail tho.... :)

I would take a punt and get one if I had no winch and couldn't afford a brand name one, but I would be treating it extra carefully on hard recoveries. I think 4WD Action did winch comparo a while ago, including some ebay specials, and the gear sets died very quickly.....

[abaddonxi]

Which leads to this-
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-chat/104798-how-do-winches-fail.html (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-chat/104798-how-do-winches-fail.html#post1249437)

[John W]

Has me thinking May be????

Did get a 240V compressor and an air rattle gun impact wrench from Aldi recently. The compressor seems OK for $117 no complaint but the $30 rattle gun or was it $40 just a waist of money no grunt, wheel brace much better option.

I do need a new 12v compressor, It would get used less than once per month, would the Aldi one hold up?

[long stroke]

Has me thinking May be????

Did get a 240V compressor and an air rattle gun impact wrench from Aldi recently. The compressor seems OK for $117 no complaint but the $30 rattle gun or was it $40 just a waist of money no grunt, wheel brace much better option.

I do need a new 12v compressor, It would get used less than once per month, would the Aldi one hold up?

A couple of years ago we bought a cheap 12v compressor off ebay for $40, looking at the aldi ones they look exactly the same as our one, if they are the same i would recomend them without hesitating, our's has been faultless, it has pumped up many 4wd tyres and air beds etc.
It is pretty quick for a little compressor to:cool:
I think we have just about had it for 3 years now and doesn't look like stopping.

CHEERS TIM.

[isuzutoo-eh]

Well, I just bought my Aldi 12V compressor, someone else picked up a winch whilst I was there...
If you want this stuff, get to Aldi TONIGHT, not tomorrow, or may just miss out.

[jazzaD1]

i bought a winch, compressor, inverter and LED lamp, im very impressed!

[long stroke]

i throught they wern't on sale until today? (Thursday)
I will be grabbing a winch and a led light today if there are any left:angel:

TIM.

[DiscoMick]

They're in the catalogue I picked up on Sunday.

[Scouse]

i throught they wern't on sale until today? (Thursday)
Some stores have the shelves stocked the day before the sale. My local one does :).

[jazzaD1]

i throught they wern't on sale until today? (Thursday)
I will be grabbing a winch and a led light today if there are any left:angel:

TIM.

yeah, i thought so too, but they were out on the floor, no prices up though

[Ausfree]

Just come home from Aldi with 4WD Recovery Kit and the 12V Compressor, I am very happy with the quality of the products, the little compressor should give me many years use!!!! Of cause I hope I never have to use the Recovery Kit, but it is there if I need it!!!!:)

[Chucaro]

I just got the compressor....excellent value. they all go by 9 am :eek:

[Fluids]

I just looked at that compressor on the Aldi web site ... same as the one I purchased off Ebay Sept'09 for $78AUD ... carry case is different, but it's a twin cyl' 150l/min unit, which is identical to the Aldi unit.

So far, it's been great! We live near a servo, so we normally use their air when we come off the beach, hence I couldn't justify $350 for an ARB unit. It's still had plenty of use in the last 8 months, pumps up the 255/70's in a respectable time, and is handy for the kids bike tyres, has pumped up the queen size (double height) air bed a few times and seems reasonably well built (except for the 2x crappy air inlet filters ... but they screw in with a 1/4" BSP male thread, so changing them if (when) they get damaged should be easy).

How can you complain at that price! ??

Wife is in Maitland until 6pm to-night ... around the corner from Aldi ... told her about the winch ... said I'd ring her if I have a last minute moment :) ... do I / don't I ... decisions decisions ... ???????

Kev..

[banjo]

I just looked at that compressor on the Aldi web site ... same as the one I purchased off Ebay Sept'09 for $78AUD ... carry case is different, but it's a twin cyl' 150l/min unit, which is identical to the Aldi unit.

So far, it's been great! We live near a servo, so we normally use their air when we come off the beach, hence I couldn't justify $350 for an ARB unit. It's still had plenty of use in the last 8 months, pumps up the 255/70's in a respectable time, and is handy for the kids bike tyres, has pumped up the queen size (double height) air bed a few times and seems reasonably well built (except for the 2x crappy air inlet filters ... but they screw in with a 1/4" BSP male thread, so changing them if (when) they get damaged should be easy).

How can you complain at that price! ??

Wife is in Maitland until 6pm to-night ... around the corner from Aldi ... told her about the winch ... said I'd ring her if I have a last minute moment :) ... do I / don't I ... decisions decisions ... ???????

Kev..


Yeah go on you know you want to kev..

The last time aldi at cardiff had them they sold the whole pallet in 20 mins..

[Ranga]

I'll be calling in there on the way home just for a look, so if anybody needs me to grab something (if it's in stock) let me know.

[101RRS]

The compressor looks like the no name i bought off ebay last year for a little cheaper.

Has been a great unit - on a 35c day pumps up 35" tyres from flat to 35psi in 5 minutes flat and is barely warm.

Garry

[Fish78]

Aldi are building a store in my town (Armidale) at the moment, hope they stock this stuff, i would be in for most of it at those prices.

As for quality, I have had some experience with 'Made in China' products before, its very surprising to see that a huge amount of Brand name stuff that cost XXX$ is identical mechanically to the no name/un branded items.

Made-in-China.com China manufacturer directory, China products, China suppliers, China trade, China factory (http://www.made-in-china.com/)is one of the places ive had some business dealings with in a former job, you can get anything you want there and for a small extra fee they will brand it with your logo, paint it red etc, it wouldn't surprise me if most of the 4x4 shocks/accessories are all made in the same factory and 99% the same, with just cosmetic changes.

Online Catalogue of various Winches available.
Winch, China winch, winch Manufacturers, China winch catalog (http://www.made-in-china.com/productdirectory.do'subaction=hunt&mode=and&style=b&word=winch&comProvince=nolimit&code=0)

[Fluids]

Yeah go on you know you want to kev..

..


STOP IT BANJO !! ... I've got a bid in on the Tombie ECU upgrade being auctioned off here on AULRO ... I don't need to be encouraged anymore :eek:

... I'd be spending meself into the poorhouse ... but I'll have a nice(r) D2a !! :)

Kev..

[Ranga]

Well, at the Redcliffe store late this afternoon they had 3 winches left, heaps of recovery kits, heaps of rechargable lights and heaps of inverters. For those interested...

[awabbit6]

... I'd be spending meself into the poorhouse ... but I'll have a nice(r) D2a !! :)


I'm already on my way to the poor house. My wife picked up our Aldi winch this morning.

Add this to the 265/75/16 Kumho MT tyres that were fitted on Saturday and the Nanocom that I bought last week ... I think I'll have to hand over all my plastic so I don't have access to money anymore. (A Tombie upgrade is very tempting ....)

Having said that, you have to buy when a good deal comes up. I just got my D1 close to the setup I wanted it and sold it. The D2 is getting what it needs for our purposes now so that we can use it. (And it is looking good!:D)

Go on ... buy the winch!

[MacMan]

I picked up one of the lights. Very bright little thing!

[Blknight.aus]

If anyone has one of the aldi winches from the last time round OR has a new one they are not frightened of voiding the warrenty on (IE its more than likely just going to sit in the bar as a decoration for months on end) AND is in/near the brissy area Im happy (work permitting) to do a how to on pulling one down to lube it up and to identify the bits that usually break on them.

ditto for the tirfors they were selling a while back, I ran into a couple that had one but couldnt feed the rope so I showed them the trick of caging the rope with some fencing wire and using that as a feeder line to get the thing started.

[TerryO]

Oh well I got a bit carried away today at Aldi ...Can't say no to a special :D

1 x winch
1 x invertor
1 x recovery kit
1 x LED light
1 x compressor
1 x GPS
5 x workshop stools ( a man can never have enough workshop stools)

Oh and two litres of orange juice ...that was on special as well!

Have been thinking of going back tomorrow ...might get another one of those stools just in case ;)

cheers,
Terry

[long stroke]

I got dad to grab me a winch and an LED light, he got a light as well they seem to work pretty well:cool:
The winch looks great!! i have mounted mine already just got to modify a few things and wire it up:)

Dad got to the Aldi in Coffs at about 8:20am this morning and had to wait in line to get in, there were people buying 2 winches each:eek:
when he walked in and grabbed my winch there were 12 left, by the time he had grabbed the LED lights there were only 2 left:o

CHEERS TIM.

[Mick_Marsh]

ditto for the tirfors they were selling a while back, I ran into a couple that had one but couldnt feed the rope so I showed them the trick of caging the rope with some fencing wire and using that as a feeder line to get the thing started.
How do you cage the rope with fencing wire? Any Photo's?
regards
Mick

[jazzaD1]

If anyone has one of the aldi winches from the last time round OR has a new one they are not frightened of voiding the warrenty on (IE its more than likely just going to sit in the bar as a decoration for months on end) AND is in/near the brissy area Im happy (work permitting) to do a how to on pulling one down to lube it up and to identify the bits that usually break on them.

that is something id like to see!

[El Duderino]

i bought a winch, compressor, inverter and LED lamp, im very impressed!

Well done on scoring those goodies mate, I know you were keen! Did it look like there were going to be a few winches left?

[lotsmaw]

I was travelling to Melbourne yesterday so I stoppped at Aldi in Airport West. Got a recovery kit, inverter, LED light, 2 sets of floor mats (one for the D1 and another for the D2a) and couldn't find the SatNavs.

The winches looked worthwhile but I had committed to buy another with the brake not in the drum so I have the option to use synthetic rope. In any case people were buying the winches at a rapid rate.

When I got to reception the guy in front of me asked the check out girl for a navigator - so did I. Plugged it in when I got to the car park and within 5 minutes it was telling me where to go and that I was exceeding the speed limit. Unplugged it and resolved to read the manual to work out how to disable the impersonation of my beloved wife.

[willvine]

Hey I picked up my winch last night and am impressed with the amount of gear it comes with for the money. only one problem, does it come with a instruction manual ? mine diddnt. but easy to fit any how. I will be mounting it in my series 3 so just working out where to fit the solinoid box and sorcing a universal winch mount.
cheers Will.

[jazzaD1]

i rotated and re-greased the gearbox in my winch today, on the large ring gear there were a couple of burrs, just about ready to snap off (didnt take much effort with a file) and the grease while there was plenty of it, seemed a bit light weight, and very little between the gearbox housing and ring gear itself (it was a see through red colour, and some white/clear vaseline type grease in other areas)

its a pretty messy job, especially if you use castrol LMM like i did, but well worth it i reckon

now to tackle wiring it up, i might go bigger than the supplied 2 gauge wiring also

[sheerluck]

I got myself a recovery kit, but dithered and then decided against the winch. The winch itself is pretty cheap, but it was the expense of a new front winch bar that was making my wallet wince....

The recovery kit seems fine, and there's enough extra space in the bag for my el cheapo compressor. Bargain!

[Blknight.aus]

How do you cage the rope with fencing wire? Any Photo's?
regards
Mick

no photos but basically start about 1.5 times the length of the tirfor down from the feeder end of the cable and take a long lenght of fencing wire, wrap it around the cable as tight as you can then lay the wire into the grooves of the rope twisting the wire to keep it tight in the ropes lay.

extend this out past the end of the cable and then with at least twice the length of the tirfor left on the wire use a drill to spin the 2 pieces of wire together in a long flat pattern. the 2 pieces of wire should now be about 1.5 times the lenght of the tirfor long

Cut one piece short by about half the length of the tirfor and remove it (I like to solder the short piece to the long piece at this point)

you should now have a leader caged onto your cable.

eyeball down the guts of your tirfor and by operating the levers you should be able to see through the guts of it at one point OR the closest jaw set opening up.

If you manage to get both jaws open at the same time feed the leader through set the tirfor to the winch in configuration and with the tirfor anchored have someone pull the leader while you work the winch.

the process is more or less the same if you only manage to get one set of jaws open at a time. Open the set of jaws closes to the load side of the tirfor and feed the leader in, push it gently while someone operates the tirfor. once the leader comes through keep winching and pull on the leader as above.

once you have the cable through the tirfor cut the wire away from the cable (dont let the bit where you wrapped the wire around enter the tirfor), maintain effort on the leader while you crank the cable through till the tirfor spits out the rest of the fencing wire.


I have before today dismantled a tirfor to get the cable through. generally unless like me you have several different lenghts of tirfor cable its pretty rare to remove the cable once its in.

[DT-P38]

I am tempted to have a go simply given that Aldi are a MASSIVE GLOBAL PLAYER in their style of retail. My understanding is they are privately owned and put their own necks and reputations on the line with their products... you can bet they would have covered their bottoms well by ensuring minimal liability due to the products they sell failing. I will be checking the fine print on the product before buying and thats about the only consideration for me. They can not afford to ship out stuff thats going to harm people or their vehicles...

I guess as someone below said, just don't expect a $400 winch to have the same characteristics and performance as a $4000 winch.

So, does anyone know what the warranty and name on the Aldi one is? Ironman I think are only 1 year, but I have been looking at Tigerz11 lately and they now have a 3 year warranty.

[zuno555]

i rotated and re-greased the gearbox in my winch today, on the large ring gear there were a couple of burrs, just about ready to snap off (didnt take much effort with a file) and the grease while there was plenty of it, seemed a bit light weight, and very little between the gearbox housing and ring gear itself (it was a see through red colour, and some white/clear vaseline type grease in other areas)

its a pretty messy job, especially if you use castrol LMM like i did, but well worth it i reckon

now to tackle wiring it up, i might go bigger than the supplied 2 gauge wiring also


Sweet mate, I think everyone who bought one of these should do the same. Its definitely a tedious job, but it is easy and well worth it.

99% of the time a winch just sits on the bar looking pretty, but the 1% of the time you use it you will thank god you got it :D

[DeeJay]

I re-greased mine today.
Here is the tutorial.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/projects-tutorials/105107-aldi-winch-replacing-grease.html#post1252597

[jazzaD1]

i tested my aldi winch out today, and it was a fair workout, i was stuck on my front diff, on a fairly steep hill, wet/claggy clay, the winch was used in a single line pull and did a beautiful job, slow and steady, got me up to the top

one thing i noticed however was the heat generated in the IMO undersized power cables that come stock, they were very nearly too hot to touch and went incredibly floppy, for lack of a better term, i don't want to imagine how it would have been in a more extreme situation

i was already planning on replacing all the large wiring with 70mm2 welding cable, whenever i got around to it, i will be doing it sooner rather than later, as i dont want to be in a worse situation and maybe have a potential fire risk

i know 70mm2 is probably a little overkill for the application, but at least i know it wont be over heating and will be able to supply all the current necessary for the job.

other than that no complaints, excellent value for $399

[series3]

I was in my local Aldi today (Leichhardt 'Marketplace') and they still had 4 winches there.. could not see any recovery kits though.

Sam

[simonmelb]

As at 1PM today. Be quick. Was $39.

Includes 8T snachstap, 2 X 3.2T bow shackles, gloves, mini folding spade.

[Barefoot Dave]

Though I might bump this up and keep all the Aldi stuff in one place as much as possible.
That said, I did a comparo between my Tigerz/ Aldi Compressor twins here:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/showthread.php?p=2205859#post2205859

Here are some snaps/ comparison between my Tigerz/ Aldi Farm High Lift jacks.
Tigerz 60" (1500mm) $150 12 months ago, Free bag ($35ish)
Aldi 48" (1200mm) $89 incl free base plate ($25ish)
note: the spots are rain not welding spatter
Overall, the Tigerz11 is rougher but with a better baseplate. It also has a stronger jaw (metalurgy being equal).
They both operate freely without slop. The Aldi is stiff due to thick paint in some areas. A couple of uses will fix that.
Will see if I can add some photos compaing them to a Hilift Brand product.

[Kevin B]

did a fair bit or research early on regarding winches and figured out that most all the so called cheap ones originate here

Ningbo Chima winch co.,ltd. (http://www.chimawinch.com/products_info.php?id=133)

They sticker them up how you want, and put the solenoid pack that you want on it and ship it by the hundred, the one in the link is the one I have.

[alittlebitconcerned]

Anyone had any experience with their RV awnings?
It looks identical to my ARB one but that's catalogue identical, not in the flesh identical.

[Kevin B]

Anyone had any experience with their RV awnings?
It looks identical to my ARB one but that's catalogue identical, not in the flesh identical.

I bought one today, fitted it and the quality seems ok nice and strong, wewill see though in the wind.

[Kevin B]

Dont get too excited about the awnings lads, after the recent heavy rainin sydney I unzipped the bag today to have a look....... Leaks like a :censored: sieve...

[weeds]

Dont get too excited about the awnings lads, after the recent heavy rainin sydney I unzipped the bag today to have a look....... Leaks like a :censored: sieve...

You're ****ed.........my $1000 awaning bag/cover leaks

[Kevin B]

Really???........well if thats the case im not worried then

[weeds]

Really???........well if thats the case im not worried then

The new design bag doesn't leak........j just happen to buy my awning two months too early

[Kevin B]

Im not too worried about it, its more just condensation I think, oh well thems the brajes when you buy cheap stuff