Low mount winch, 9000lb, recomendations

[twr7cx]

I'm in the market for a winch. Ideally I'd like one at the lower end of the price scale as I don't intend to use it very often, but at the same time I am concious of not going too low, as I don't want it not to work when I actually need the thing!

Anyone know were I can find a list of reputable brands to consider when looking?

From what I figure I should be aiming for around 4,000kg/8,800lb in order to pull out my 2003 Land Rover Discovery HSE TD5. It has the ARB Sahara Bar fitted ( Sahara bar | Products | ARB 4x4 Accessories (http://www.arb.com.au/products/arb-protection-equipment/bull-bars/sahara-bars/3932020/) ) which ARB recommends Warn low mount model electric winches up to 9000lb.

Is it worth considering second hand when looking at winches or is it not worth it?

Appreciate any comments.

[isuzurover]

IMHO Tigerz11 is about the best value for money.

[twr7cx]

IMHO Tigerz11 is about the best value for money.

I have seen them mentioned a fair few times now from my Google searching. Any idea on best place to purchase from?

[isuzurover]

I purchased direct. Not sure if that is still possible:

Tigerz11.com.au (http://www.tigerz11.com.au/)

[twr7cx]

I purchased direct. Not sure if that is still possible:

Tigerz11.com.au (http://www.tigerz11.com.au/)

Nah, they don't sell direct any more. However, I see that they are available on eBay and there are suppliers listed on there website, so I should be able to do some shopping around to get the best price.

[DI5CO]

I bought a Tigerz about 3 weeks ago from Piranah in Boronia. I went 4wding today but didnt manage to get stuck to use it!! There is a list on their website (Tigerz) where you can buy retail. You can get them on ebay but i preferred a retailer so if anything goes wrong i can take it back there. They come with a 5yr warranty now (as long as you take it back once a year for them to check it). I only bought it as an emergency as I go camping sometimes with my boys with no other cars & just wanted extra security.
Dave.

[Ranga]

I've had a Tigerz11 12,000lb for about 12-18 months now. Has worked pretty well each time I used it in anger.

However, just the other day I was straightening my draw bar on my boat trailer, and winched the hook up to the hawse. When I tried to reverse it out, reverse wouldn't work. After much swearing and cursing, calling supplier and manufacturer, nothing worked except removing the pin from the hook and removing the hook. Once the load was off the winch, reverse worked again. Luckily I had already managed to remove the hook from the extension strap, so practically there was no load on it except for the tightness of the hook on the hawse

I have serious concerns about this. If I hadn't been able to remove the real load, what would I have done? i.e. in a situation such as winching up a hill, where there vehicle can't move forward under it's own steam to take the load off, what would choice would you have but to cut the rope?!

When I bought mine it came with 3 years warranty, which was the main selling point along with price. However, when I contacted the manufacturer he alerted me to the fact the control box only has 6 months warranty. :mad: They've now upped this to 5 and 1 respectively.

I'm yet to test it under load again, but will be doing it with much interest...

[twr7cx]

What sort of prices did you pay?
Do they sell replacement control boxes seperately?

[Ranga]

What sort of prices did you pay?
Do they sell replacement control boxes seperately?

I think I paid about $850 for he 12,000lb single speed with rope. Replacement boxes can be bought I think. The after-sales service is pretty good. The owner actually tried talking me through a work-around (even though it didn't work), and responds to emails very promptly.

[akelly]

I have one of the "dreaded" Aldi winches. Just installed it on my new 130 so haven't used it in anger yet. I stripped it before fitting and it looks to be pretty well made. My Dad has one on his 6 wheel cruiser and he's used it a bit to pull him out of bogs around his property - works like a champion.

The tigerz ones look good - especially with the dyneema rope.

[cookiesa]

Check out the "bushranger" or magnum (warn), prefer the bushranger as it is suitable for reverse winching with plasma style ropes... most low mounts aren't :), not sure on the braking system the Tigerz uses... interesting claim it can be used as a hoist...

Cable or Synthetic? If you use it on rocky ground go cable!

[isuzurover]

Check out the "bushranger" or magnum (warn), prefer the bushranger as it is suitable for reverse winching with plasma style ropes... most low mounts aren't :), not sure on the braking system the Tigerz uses... interesting claim it can be used as a hoist...

Cable or Synthetic? If you use it on rocky ground go cable!

Tigerz is designed for plasma rope (no brake in the drum).

[cookiesa]

What makes me nervous with these is whilst the owners are usually referring to the great after sales service... it follows what seems to be coming a regular occurance of these winches "stalling"

I have read several posts now on different forums referring to the great after sales service sending out new motors no questions asked.. control box "work arounds" that sometimes work.. sometimes don't.

When your car is stuck the winch is one of those items you want to work... the first time!

[Ranga]

Agreed. Problem is, I read stories about most brands failing, including Warne. Bloody hard to find a bullet-proof solution, short of getting a Tirfor! :eek:

[jazzaD1]

I have one of the "dreaded" Aldi winches. Just installed it on my new 130 so haven't used it in anger yet. I stripped it before fitting and it looks to be pretty well made. My Dad has one on his 6 wheel cruiser and he's used it a bit to pull him out of bogs around his property - works like a champion.

The tigerz ones look good - especially with the dyneema rope.

i bought an aldi winch too, i also stripped it and regreased it before installation, it has gotten me out of trouble probably 15 or more times, i will be upgrading to synthetic rope soon though, my wire cable is kinked and has strands hanging out of it

[twr7cx]

Is cable an option on the Tigerz11?
My old man reckons I should look at a cable unit rather than rope due to the nature of the surface that the vehicle will likely be used on here in Tasmania - I'd rocky which would frei the rope.

What shte story with 'dreaded Aldi'? No good?

[isuzurover]

Is cable an option on the Tigerz11?
My old man reckons I should look at a cable unit rather than rope due to the nature of the surface that the vehicle will likely be used on here in Tasmania - I'd rocky which would frei the rope.



Yes you can get the tigerz with cable or rope.

[cookiesa]

Cable is much more resistant to UV, rocks, sand, general abrasion etc.

Synthetics on the other hand are nicer to work with and lighter. So generally for touring stick with cable!

[flagg]

Agreed. Problem is, I read stories about most brands failing, including Warne. Bloody hard to find a bullet-proof solution, short of getting a Tirfor! :eek:

turfur's don't fail because the operator fails first :)

[twr7cx]

turfur's don't fail because the operator fails first :)

Am I correct in assuming this is a hand winch?

[cookiesa]

Yes, also aloow you to winch backwards and sideways if you want... (Think getting the vehicle back on it's wheels...

Moving tree's off the track etc. (On some tracks positioning the block and vehicle to pull a tree to the side/up off the track is near on impossible)

[twr7cx]

I contacted Tigerz11 with a few questions regarding the winch, one of the questions was in reference to it's compatibility with my front bar, I received the following response:


Hi

You need a min clearance of 200mm on the drivers side of your bulbar for the motor to fit ,,the motor on these winches are longer because of the brake mechanism.

S& G DISRIBUTORS IN HOBART

Regards Paul

0447064152


bolt holes

Regards Paul

0447064152


I measured up and it is about 30mm too short. So there isn't enough clearance from the bolt holes in the ARB Sahara front bar to the chasis rails:

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/9375/p1010939j.th.jpg (http://img15.imageshack.us/i/p1010939j.jpg/)
http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/1479/p1010937z.th.jpg (http://img36.imageshack.us/i/p1010937z.jpg/)

[twr7cx]

I have been Googling the Aldi Winchs and there seems to be a lot of positive comments on them. Who sells them? I googled Aldi and came up with some for of a discount grocery place ( ALDI - ALDI Australia homepage (http://www.aldi.com.au/) )?

[twr7cx]

My 2003 Land Rover Discovery HSE TD5 has the ARB Sahara Bar fitted ( Sahara bar | Products | ARB 4x4 Accessories (http://www.arb.com.au/products/arb-protection-equipment/bull-bars/sahara-bars/3932020/) ) which ARB recommends Warn low mount model electric winches up to 9000lb.
Would it be an issue if I fitted a 9500lb instead as a lot seem of offerings to be 9500lb?

[jazzaD1]

I have been Googling the Aldi Winchs and there seems to be a lot of positive comments on them. Who sells them? I googled Aldi and came up with some for of a discount grocery place ( ALDI - ALDI Australia homepage (http://www.aldi.com.au/) )?

yeah the supermarket is the place, they only go on sale about once a year or so

[isuzurover]

I measured up and it is about 30mm too short. So there isn't enough clearance from the bolt holes in the ARB Sahara front bar to the chasis rails:


I had to offset the winch mount to one side slightly in order to fit a Tigerz11 to my ARB bar.

But if you need to pay someone it might outweigh the cost saving.

[LowRanger]

Maybe you could also look at the TDS9.5.Draws a lot less current than the Tigerz,is a lot more waterproof and doesn't seem to have the problems that a lot of people have with the Tigerz.I think they sell for about $895 with steel cable.And although it doesn't mean much,it won the last winch comparison in one of the 4wd mags.
I have a TDS12 fitted with rope,and can't fault it.The TDS winches also have the brake mounted away from the drum,so that they can run rope if needed.
Just another point of view to throw into the mix

Wayne

[Tombie]

TDS
Goodwinch
Superwinch
Premier Winch
ComeUp Winch

are all manufactured by KINGONE Industrial.

KINGONE industrial Co., Ltd. (http://www.kingonewinch.com/index.aspx)

Excellent quality products too...

Having dis-assembled a few for servicing, they are at least equal to the offerings of WARN

[bassflicker]

I'm about to travel cape york and round australia. I have opted for a hand winch.

For a few reasons. Price, the ability to store it in different places round the vehicle for weight distribution and also because of it's many earlier mentioned uses. Getting a vehicle upright, winching from any point round the vehicle, moving logs from tracks and also it's a great tool for farm work on my future property.

I will add, I have only opted for the hand winch because I'm young and fit enough to swing off one, they are a mighty effort to use ;)

[cookiesa]

If you haven't already brag yourself a snatch block and winch extension, rate as the most useful items you can take if you have a winch!

(especially when your winching up a steep bank.... you'll love the snatch block! )

[twr7cx]

If you haven't already brag yourself a snatch block and winch extension, rate as the most useful items you can take if you have a winch!

(especially when your winching up a steep bank.... you'll love the snatch block! )

Not sure if that was meant for me or the post above, but if it is for me, I already have both, although haven't yet purchased a winch to use with it.

[twr7cx]

I still haven't determined which winch to purchase.

Repco currently have there Maxitrac unit on sale for $680.00. According to Australian 4WD Action magazines Winch Comparison - Battle of the Winches (http://www.google.com.au/url'sa=t&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CBcQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.avenger4x4.com.au%2Flibrary%2 F4WD159036-054FEATURE_WinchComparo.pdf&rct=j&q=avenger%20mako%20tds%20maxitrac&ei=Kaq6TZfPJIaAvgPzkOjBBQ&usg=AFQjCNHfRqWc8U345gq-HN1XDgtO72l_Ng&sig2=ei5N7Ei7cEPh4q7kp42K-A&cad=rja) it's not a bad unit. The issue though is that there are no replacement parts available for it from Repco. It has a 3 year warranty though. Repco are pretty crummy with warranty claims too, they take the item off you and then you wait ages for the manufacture to decide whether they want to inspect the item or just honour the warranty sight unseen.

I went to TJM, they can get the Avenger Mako TDS9500 and Ironman Monster 9500, $899.00 for either. They tried hard to sell me there home brand OX 9500, but at $1,050.00 they are dreaming (I've read on the net that plenty have bought the larger 12,000 unit for cheaper than that any way).

ABR only wanted to sell me warn which was out of my price range.

Looking on eBay, there are the following offerings:
Ironman Monster 9500 for $749.00 delivered, which is $150.00 saving off TJM. There is also an exdemo one for that I am waiting a reply from the seller in regards to the warranty situation for it.
The Avenger Mako TDS9500 is $899.00 delivered, so same price as TJM.

At the moment I'm thinking the Ironman unit is the way to go for $749.00 as it has a 3 year warranty, and includes a damper blanket. It has both wired and wireless remote control. It's worth the extra $69.00 over Repco for the ability to purchase replacement parts in the future. I have also read good things about them on other forums from Google searching. It is a pity that it wasn't included in the big winch comparison.

[999]

Have you looked at getting a warn M8000 currently $539us with under $400us for delivery to your door, that's around $860au. I wouldn't bother with buying one local when you could get a warn from the states.

I bought one for $469aud 2 weeks ago and had it delivered to an address in the states (I'll be over there in 2 months time and I'll bring it back in my luggage:D)

[redcentredefender]

I can definately recommend the TDS series Avenger (kingone) range. I have a 12000lb on my defender and its been given a workout the last twelve months or so maimly recovering other vehicles that were stuck fast out here in the centre, too many leave the centre of the trackand sink sink sink :wasntme:

[101 Ron]

I am another one to give the aldi winch a plug.
I have now purchased my second one for another vehicle for as little as 300 dollars and that came with gloves, two remotes,cable damper.......everything you need except for snatch block.
For that sort of money , if it stops, dont pull it apart, just get another one.
After saying that my first one I purchased is still going strong with out the factory grease or nothing being change since new and it was being used and not a show pony on the bull bar.
The only thing that winch has done wrong is give the cable a hard time due it the size and location if the cable/drum anchor bolt that can catch on the cable and the wireless remotes are lazy ( new batteries???).(water proof wired hand controller provided too)
The aldi doesnt win on winching speed either, but for self recovery and occassional use it is perfect.
That first winch is on Rangas 130 defender, time will tell how he goes with it.

[slug_burner]

These have got some supporters Tigerz11.com.au (http://www.tigerz11.com.au/)

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/112007-took-plunge-tigerz-winch.html

[Bushie]

Bloody hard to find a bullet-proof solution, short of getting a Tirfor! :eek:


And then you'd bust a shear pin :D:D


Martyn

[cookiesa]

You can get the warn magnum for that with a proven track record of parts and service.

[twr7cx]

I am another one to give the aldi winch a plug.


There is no Aldi here in Tassie and they won't freight! :(

[twr7cx]

These have got some supporters Tigerz11.com.au (http://www.tigerz11.com.au/)

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/112007-took-plunge-tigerz-winch.html

No go. There motors are too large to fit into my ARB Sahara bar. The moto fouls on the chasis rails by around 30mm.

[twr7cx]

Have you looked at getting a warn M8000 currently $539us with under $400us for delivery to your door, that's around $860au. I wouldn't bother with buying one local when you could get a warn from the states.

I bought one for $469aud 2 weeks ago and had it delivered to an address in the states (I'll be over there in 2 months time and I'll bring it back in my luggage:D)

Where can they be purchased from that they will freight them?

[VladTepes]

I bought one for $469aud 2 weeks ago and had it delivered to an address in the states (I'll be over there in 2 months time and I'll bring it back in my luggage:D)

They are heavy - that could cost you a LOT in excess baggage fees.

[999]

Where can they be purchased from that they will freight them? 4wheelparts.com I phoned them up and spoke to one of the sales reps.


They are heavy - that could cost you a LOT in excess baggage fees. Yeh 34kg. I plan to remove the cable 7kg , motor ?kg I should be able to post them or split it in to my luggage,

[cookiesa]

Personally with my winch I wanted something thast was reliable and due to the way they get treated, serviceable.... anywhere.

There is one "cheap" brand that gets quite a few rave reviews for their after sale support.... regularly sending new motors to customers no questions asked. It's great there after sales service is so great, but that doesn't help you get home.

Any winch can fail, and the most common cause is lack of use/incorrect maintenance. (often washed with fresh water and no cable run out and back in again to put some heat through it and dry it out)

[twr7cx]

I bought the Ironman Monster 9500 ( Ironman 4x4 Monster Winch (http://www.ironman4x4.com/html/monster_winch.html) ) from Repco Auto Parts (it had to be ordered in on Monday and arrived this morning). It has a 3 year warranty, and Repco's are everywhere. Can get spare parts for it from Ironman. It's sold as being waterproof, so no warranty issues for using in the water (the Repco Maxitrac one warranty is void if used in mud or water apparently). Came with a damper too and wireless remote (but the wireless remote is not waterproof). Also pretty happy with the units weight, I picked the box up and was pleasantly surprised. Paid $780.00 (which includes $10.00 freight charge for ordering it in), which is $30.00 more than eBay, but got it local, it's still $20.00 under the newly dropped retail price.

[cookiesa]

Glad it's lighter... makes getting it to the car easier.... Of course the easiest way to lighten, and make the winch motor cheaper is cut out the amount of copper used.

The motor is "waterproofed" not the same as waterproof. "waterproofed" means steps have been taken to reduce water ingress. Ironman don't claim it is waterproof... for very good reason. The gearbox and brake are not waterproof, like almost all winches.

Repco sell the winch, and are almost everywhere... as they don't sell the parts (if available) not sure how that helps you out when it fails.

Hope it does the job for you

[roverrescue]

A winch is a freaking starter motor, a metal stick, a round metal drum and a small gearbag...

In all honesty most Warns (M8s, M9s, M10s, 9XPs) have crap "waterproofing", some other brands have good "waterproofing".
Your landy starter motor has minimal if any "waterproofing".

What kills winches is NOT using them... if you only started the landy once a year but then dragged it through mud/water and slop it probably would rust and seize up the starter motor.

Use it or service it - two options peoples. A cheap winch often serviced will easily outlive a neglected expensive unit.

I like my Tigerz, have killed a solenoid set but the motor keeps going round and the gears haven't stripped yet.

S

[twr7cx]

Fitted my Ironman Monster winch to the front:

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/1074/p1020136ym.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/18/p1020136ym.jpg/)
http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/5558/p1020138z.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/31/p1020138z.jpg/)
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/3848/p1020139d.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/138/p1020139d.jpg/)
http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/2691/p1020142d.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/708/p1020142d.jpg/)


Had to cut a hole in the top of the front steering protection in order to access the gearbox lever:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/810/p1020140o.jpg/)

Connected to my second battery setup with an isolator switch:

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/8805/p1020155e.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/836/p1020155e.jpg/)

[cookiesa]

Why not just rotate the gearbox so you can reach it from the top? If your bogged your not going to want to have to dig around under there to spool out the winch.

You will also want to wire it up to your main battery rather than your auxillary. You want to keep the power up to it, higher voltage = less amp draw.

[twr7cx]

Err... Why did you do that? :eek:

Having to access the lever from below is going to cause you problems when your Disco is stuck... :(

Why do I need to access it? The winch operates two ways (forward and reverse), so I can just reverse the cable out using the remote. It won't be under load so the winch won't get hot from that.

It also means that I can leave the cover on the top of the bar - which looks neater and prevents the winch getting wet in the rain etc all the time:
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/3848/p1020139d.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/138/p1020139d.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[cookiesa]

The problem with winching out is your remote cord is around 5 metres long, your winch cable is around 30m long. That means unspooling it in a pile, putting the remote down walking the cable out, hopefully there is enough out, if not go back and unspool some more. Hook up. Now go back and feed the slack cable back on to the drum with some tension and nice and even. Then you can start winching/recovery.

Doesn't sound too bad does it? Now go stand in slopy ankle deep mud or in a creek/clay slope and try it.

That doesn't even cover power usage, winching out still uses plenty of amps, winches are thirsty things.

If you intend to stick with your current set up I'd strongly suggest you change to a synthetic winch cable, doing the above with heavy winch cable is not fun.

There is a reason all the winches have a free spool on them, If it wasn't all that important it wouldn't be on them all, leaving it off would make them cheaper to manufacture and sell.

[nonimouse]

Hence the reason you pick up a wireless remote! Even the cheap ones from Draper last a couple of years and can be made waterproof.

Also a good reason for an air or electric freespool...

[twr7cx]

Hence the reason you pick up a wireless remote! Even the cheap ones from Draper last a couple of years and can be made waterproof.

Also a good reason for an air or electric freespool...

I've got a wireless remote for it.

[cookiesa]

Make sure you have an isolation switch if you have a wireless remote....

I'll dig out some photos of a couple of vehicles that have had the misfortune of the winch deciding to start winching itself. This was put down to interference from something. One was in a suburban driveway and the other driving down a track with no obvious reason for it to do so.

[twr7cx]

Make sure you have an isolation switch if you have a wireless remote....

I'll dig out some photos of a couple of vehicles that have had the misfortune of the winch deciding to start winching itself. This was put down to interference from something. One was in a suburban driveway and the other driving down a track with no obvious reason for it to do so.

Yeah, I run an isolation switch under the bonnet next to the secondary battery. I also remove the clevis? Hook from the winch so if it was run the cable should just roll around the winch. I'm still keen to see these photos though!

[Bardizzo]

You will also want to wire it up to your main battery rather than your auxillary. You want to keep the power up to it, higher voltage = less amp draw.

x2

This is important

[The Angry Chook]

Bumping this as I have the same bar and car and am now looking for a winch.
How is the Ironman winch going? Still alive?
There's a Warn lowmount tabor 9000 on ebay for $895 which is pretty good for a reputable brand I reckon.