Hand Winch's

[Nigger]

Guys, considering getting a hand winch but keen to hear some opinions from experiened winch users. What is the ARB Magnum winch like? Is the Tifor winch worth the extra dosh to do the same job etc.
I don't have a bar on the front and don't expect to get one so an electric is not an option really, not to mention the cost! I just want a reliable hand winch for emergency recovery that wont let me down. My vehicle is an MY03 Disco V8 as a guide to weight.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[Bytemrk]

G'day ******,

I have a big haul, It works really well.

BUT after recovering the vehicle...... the winch operator usually needs recovering too:eek::eek:.............they can be friggin hard work.



That said... It's nice to know you have it on board if you are travelling alone.... and being a hand unit, it does stop the " I've got a winch.. I can go everywhere Syndrome":D... at least after the first recovery.


Never had a tirfor... so sorry can't compare... by car is a 2000 Disco v8 so very similar weight.

Cheers,
Mark

[mark2]

I have a tirfor, most of the others are copies now that the patent has expired but probably work just as well for less $$$.

I'd strongly recommend getting a snatch block and a winch entension strap to use in conjuction with the hand winch. I've found in many recoveries, particularly those involving mud, that although the snatch block halves the speed, the greatly reduced effort means its actually quicker. Dont underestimate the amount of physical effort involved, particularly if you have more than a few metres to pull......

I actually sold my electric winch because it was a lot of money and weight sitting on the front of the vehicle and was only used infrequently. It let me down a couple of times due to corroded solenoids, not to mention the destroyed batteries.......

So now the handwinch and other bits and pieces only go in the back when needed and all is good.....

[Frenchie]

I don't like the latest Tirfors, we use them in SES, the clutch mechanism can be a bugger to operate.

I have a Brano, don't know if you can get them any more, much cheaper than a Tirfor and works well.

Like anything else you pay for the brand name.

[jake]

G'day,

Ive also got a Brano (Branco maybe), Very simple to use. Think about what is around on the second hand market. look for one in good condition and and service it. Very simple.
Snatch Block is very important as are rated shackles etc. I have an electric which and I have still had to use my hand winch on occasion.
Once you do purchase your winch you need to set it up and have a practice to ensure you do things safely and correctly.

Good Luck

[crump]

I recently bought the Opposite Lock Mean Green kit, and its a Tirfor style winch.For around $750 you get the winch, 30m of cable, snatch block, winch extension strap, tree trunk protector and a nice carry bag to keep it all in, that you are flat out lifting.:D

[Greylandy]

The good old hand winch ... never leave home wihout it. In my opinion all the copies of the Tirfor should do the job for a lot less $$$. I've got a Big Haul but have used a few no name brands to great effect. Couple of things you definitely need in the kit:

Snatch Block
Extension Strap
Tree Protector
5m Drag Chain
Rated shackles (get the big ones, the 3.2T shackles don't offer enough room to fit a strap and winch end)

****** I'd suggest you hold on a couple of weeks and go to the National 4x4 Show at Homebush. I bought my Big Haul there on show special for $300.

[waynep]

I bought one of Magnum 2500kg handwinches from ARB. I needed one in a bit of a hurry so didn't do too much research beforehand which always turns out to be a mistake.

The Magnum is Chinese made ( isn't everything these days ?) and seems to work OK although I think the Big Haul is the better made unit. I think Big Haul is made in the USA. Both I think are lighter than the genuine Tirfor
Big Haul comes with spare shear pins in the handle whereas Magnum does not ( at least with the one I have ).

If you intend to do a lot of hard stuff were you use a winch a lot then vehicle mounted is probably better but otherwise hand winch is probably more versatile. Yes they are hard work but that gives more incentive to stay out of situations where you need one. Think of it like insurance.

They are useful around home too - eg straightening up fences or pulling out stumps :D :D

If you do get one, suggest getting a snatch block, a couple of rated shackles, 20m extension strap, safety blanket and a tree trunk protector as well. ( oops somoene already said that doesn't hurt to say it twice )

Also suggest you practice setting it all up at home before you go bush. Make sure you know how it will safely attach to your vehicle, how to feed and lock the cable into the winch etc etc . (oops someone said that too - great minds think alike !!)

[Bytemrk]

Also suggest you practice setting it all up at home before you go bush. Make sure you know how it will safely attach to your vehicle, how to feed and lock the cable into the winch etc etc .

Great piece of advice..... much better than leaning how to use it when the car is hanging over a cliff :eek::eek:


That said I think all my neighbours thought I was a freak winching my car up and down the drive:huh: {my drive is almost flat}

Mark

[waynep]

Great piece of advice..... much better than leaning how to use it when the car is hanging over a cliff :eek::eek:


That said I think all my neighbours thought I was a freak winching my car up and down the drive:huh: {my drive is almost flat}

Mark

Yep, well, too many times have seen people in the bush trying to use gear fresh out out of the box :o :o !!. That includes recovery and camping gear. Somtimes its a laugh, sometimes downright dangerous. ( those pop up toilet tents are a doozy watching them trying to fold them up .)

[Slunnie]

Hmmm, after doing some significant hand winching a few w/e's ago, I'll definately stick with a power winch. There is no such thing as a good hand winch. :confused:

[Nigger]

cheers and good thinking about the show. When is it on do you know?

[barney]

i ended up with a real tirfor. got it at a good price though not as low as some of the competitors.
the tirfor is a good design and just about any direct copy of a tirfor, provided it's one of the better known brands, should be more than adequate.
the only time i've used mine in anger is when i've had a vehicle stuck in my driveway.
the first time was a 2wd toyota trayback. our driveway is steep, has a rock wall with about 300mm of grass next to it on one side and grass with a dirtyt big tree on the other. on tis occasion, i was rversing the ute down the driveway and was alternately wtching the tree on the right and then the rock wall on the left. anyway, the tray got close to the rock wall and by this time the rear LH wheel was on the wet grass. i couldn't go backwards without hitting the rock wall with the tray and couldn't go forwards at all, wheelspin. so i had to winch it out in to the carport.
the other time was moving my series2 into the carport when it didn't run well and was stuck in reverse. winched again!
hand winching is a great deterrent from getting stuck in the first place

[spudboy]

Can't go wrong with a Tirfor.

Not the cheapest, but I've had mine for 20 years and it has been used for all sorts of winching and lifting jobs around the farm without any problems. It's an industrial bit of kit.

[barney]

i did some work for cirque du soliel when it was in sydney a couple of years ago, they use tirfors to hold their big tents up. about 20 or more. so if you can't afford to buy one, they probably wouldn't miss one when they've got that many.
seriously though, they use the real thing rather than the cheaper copies. maybe they get a good deal on them coming from the french speaking part of canadia, or maybe they know something about the copies that we don't?????????????/

[DEFENDERZOOK]

do they now have only 19 of them left....?

[cookiesa]

Great piece of equipment. As said before I'd always use a snatch block, saves you a lot of hard work.

Why not try a cable and lifting supplies. I got one from Noble's and it cost about $220 a couple of years ago. The gear they supply is rated as they supply commercial operators and uses of the equipment.

[mr_sav]

Guys, considering getting a hand winch but keen to hear some opinions from experiened winch users. What is the ARB Magnum winch like? Is the Tifor winch worth the extra dosh to do the same job etc.
I don't have a bar on the front and don't expect to get one so an electric is not an option really, not to mention the cost! I just want a reliable hand winch for emergency recovery that wont let me down. My vehicle is an MY03 Disco V8 as a guide to weight.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I had an old Tirfor which must be more than 20 years old now, lack of maintenance over the last years has let it down, however, parts are available. It's not for sale as I passed it down to my brother recently. It's more useful than a front mount as you can use it anywhere and throw it in the bus when you know you may need it. Also good for lifting etc. In saying that I invested in an elec winch in the last week. Feeling to old to be pulling a truck out by hand these days. If you can get your hands on a genuine Tirfor you can't go wrong "in my opinion".

Good luck.

Mr_Sav

[Bushie]

I have a Brano, don't know if you can get them any more, much cheaper than a Tirfor and works well.

Didn't think anybody else owned one of them, now theres at least 2 others.

Mine is in near new condition, around 20 years old doesn't get much use, and I try and keep it that way. A good stint on the winch handle is a good way of making sure you don't use it too often.

I believe they are a copy of a Tirfor 1 and were made in the old Czech republic.


Martyn