Hand Winch at repco reckon its any good?

[Ace]

Hi all have been saving the pennies for months now and have some dollars to finally spend getting the disco closer to where i want. So because i saved a few dollars on the snorkel i can possibly afford the hand winch i have been wanting for ages and repco has one on special for $349, looks just like a tirfor and has a max pull of 2500kg. Has anyone seen them, or even bought one? Matt

[Scouse]

Hi all have been saving the pennies for months now and have some dollars to finally spend getting the disco closer to where i want. So because i saved a few dollars on the snorkel i can possibly afford the hand winch i have been wanting for ages and repco has one on special for $349, looks just like a tirfor and has a max pull of 2500kg. Has anyone seen them, or even bought one? MattI don't have any experience with the Repco unit but I bought my Tirfor second hand through the Trading Post for a couple of hundred. It had been on a trip around Australia & only used one (& that was to pull a stump out of the owners backyard). It came with 2 lengths of wire rope too. One at around 20-25m, the other too long to even bother unwinding to measure.

There was one at Goulburn Swap a couple of months back for $250.

While the Repco one might be fine, if you keep your eyes open & not in a hurry, decent used Tirfors will turn up.

[Ace]

I don't have any experience with the Repco unit but I bought my Tirfor second hand through the Trading Post for a couple of hundred. It had been on a trip around Australia & only used one (& that was to pull a stump out of the owners backyard). It came with 2 lengths of wire rope too. One at around 20-25m, the other too long to even bother unwinding to measure.

There was one at Goulburn Swap a couple of months back for $250.

While the Repco one might be fine, if you keep your eyes open & not in a hurry, decent used Tirfors will turn up.

Thanks Scott, i looked on ebay but there wasnt anything that i could find.

The Repco one looks just like a tirfor, but i will look around on the trading post. Matt

[Bushie]

Matt,

Brano are another brand to look out for apparently a direct copy of a Tu16 early version. Don't think you can get them new anymore. but may find one second hand. Mines now ~20years old.


Martyn

[landy_man]

In my opinion, a high lift jack (genuine one) drag chain and some winch extension straps will set you back the same $$.. far more versatile and can be used as a hand winch which it is actually designed to be.. not just for lifting..

[Redback]

Maybe a Mud Mauler could be right up your ally Matt, there about half that price and from all accounts very good, i think Amaroo has one and swears by it.


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/
Mud Mauler


Light Vehicle Recovery Unit
Ideal for 4WD enthusiasts!
Pulls up to 4.4 tonnes.
Weighs only 15 Kg
10 metre x 6mm high tensile chain supplied
3 x anchor stays supplied
3 x anchor pegs suppplied
Carrying bag supplied
Conforms to Australian/NZ standard
Nil recoil
Easy to use
Low maintenance
Durable
Measures 230 x 13 x 90mm. Weight 15kg.
Baz.

[Ace]

Where is omaroo when you need him? Tell us about it Chris how does it work, and can you bring it to the BBQ so we can test it out please? matt

[CraigE]

Maybe a Mud Mauler could be right up your ally Matt, there about half that price and from all accounts very good, i think Amaroo has one and swears by it.


http://www.4wdmegastores.com.au/__data/page/142/mudmauler.jpg
Mud Mauler

Light Vehicle Recovery Unit
Ideal for 4WD enthusiasts!
Pulls up to 4.4 tonnes.
Weighs only 15 Kg
10 metre x 6mm high tensile chain supplied
3 x anchor stays supplied
3 x anchor pegs suppplied
Carrying bag supplied
Conforms to Australian/NZ standard
Nil recoil
Easy to use
Low maintenance
Durable
Measures 230 x 13 x 90mm. Weight 15kg.Baz.
Looks like what we basically called a come along. Used widely in industry to pul to items under force together. Available in may different ratings. Uses shorter lengths of cahin, instead of wire cable. Disadvantage is that is is a lot shorter pull between resets and you would need at least one or 2 extension straps. 10metre max pull before reset (in reality more like 8 metres max).

[Ace]

Looks like what we basically called a come along. Used widely in industry to pul to items under force together. Available in may different ratings. Uses shorter lengths of cahin, instead of wire cable. Disadvantage is that is is a lot shorter pull between resets and you would need at least one or 2 extension straps. 10metre max pull before reset (in reality more like 8 metres max).

Thanks Craig i am going to go back to Repco and have a look most of the stuff they sell is pretty good so i might take a gamble the sale doesnt end till next week so i have a few days to mull it over. I have used henry and Scouse's hand winch and found them to be quite good the thing i liked over an electric winch is that it can be used front or rear or even the side of the vehicle if need be so is far more versatile and you can remove it when you arent 4wding so it reduces the weight you have to carry around. Matt

[landy_man]

I still think a hi lift will be a better recovery tool as well as a hand winch...

like this...
http://web.aanet.com.au/landyman/Various/jack_instructions.jpg

[DirtyDawg]

Matt , for the amount of time you use them and the extra weight they add to your vehicle you might as well get the repco one, The Hilift is good but how often do you need to be winched 4ft, great jack and I carry one but would only use it to winch in a bind.
Also the Tirfor types are good as you can winch front ,side or rear without a shackle pulley set up, they do take up a lotta space and I wouldn't have one in the vehicle without a rated cargo barrier. try the hock shops..there is one locally for sale for $190 with a recovery bag of goodies included.
Thats my 5 cents worth..

[Ace]

Thanks DD, i reckon i will go with the Repco one, it looks fine to me.

Thanks LA i dont have anywhere to keep one, when i eventually get a roof rack it will be the first thing i add to it, but i want the hand winch because you can pull over a longer distance without resetting, much quicker. Matt

[Scouse]

Thanks DD, i reckon i will go with the Repco one, it looks fine to me.

We can give it a good try out at Jenolan in 10 days time:) .

[Ace]

We can give it a good try out at Jenolan in 10 days time:) .

Thats what i was thinking, if it holds up then then i wont need to worry but if it fails i can get my money back or get it exchanged. I will do a write up on it after the weekend so others can get an idea if what they are like. Matt

[Scouse]

How about I get really stuck (on purpose this time) & we can give it a real good test:) .

[landy_man]

Thats what i was thinking, if it holds up then then i wont need to worry but if it fails i can get my money back or get it exchanged. I will do a write up on it after the weekend so others can get an idea if what they are like. Matt

and I am sure they will pay for the vehicle repairs as well when your vehicle goes tumbling down the hill after the crappy chinese made gears strip or cable snaps... :eek: :eek:

But seriously.. If you have not already bought it. try find a genuine Tirfor used on ebay of the forums.. reliable, safe and a known quantity.. I would not want to be pulling my Rangie with something wondering whether or not it is going to **** itself..

[dobbo]

How about I get really stuck (on purpose this time) & we can give it a real good test:) .
You told me the other week that you ment to get stuck to make me feel better:D


Ace here you go, you just need someone to pick it up for you. :http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Tirfor-hand-tirfor-hand-pulley_W0QQitemZ280010432528QQihZ018QQcategoryZ308 62QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Ace]

and I am sure they will pay for the vehicle repairs as well when your vehicle goes tumbling down the hill after the crappy chinese made gears strip or cable snaps... :eek: :eek:

But seriously.. If you have not already bought it. try find a genuine Tirfor used on ebay of the forums.. reliable, safe and a known quantity.. I would not want to be pulling my Rangie with something wondering whether or not it is going to **** itself..

Well i went out and bought one, it looks fine to me, not really that different from the tirfor scouse has comes in two nice carry bags, one for the cable and one for the winch itself and comes with a pair of gloves. Here are some pics.

Besides marcos inspected it and he reckons it the ducks nuts thats good enough for me. :D

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2006/07/26.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2006/07/27.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2006/07/28.jpg

Matt

[waynep]

Looks more like a BigHaul or ARB Magnum than a Tirfor.
Unless you are used to using these things, strongly advise you practise setting it up with your own car before you need to use it in earnest.

[Ace]

Looks more like a BigHaul or ARB Magnum than a Tirfor.
Unless you are used to using these things, strongly advise you practise setting it up with your own car before you need to use it in earnest.

Thanks Wayne but last time we went out last year and One Iota and Scouse purposly got stuck so we could practice using them. :D

[Scouse]

Thanks Wayne but last time we went out last year and One Iota and Scouse purposly got stuck so we could practice using them. :DI knew there was a method in my madness !!

Make sure you get a snatch block Matt. The winches can be hard work without one.

[Ace]

I knew there was a method in my madness !!

Make sure you get a snatch block Matt. The winches can be hard work without one.

I would but the 4wd place here closed down. I need a tree trunk protector, extension strap and a couple more shackles aswell.

What are these generally worth, there are few on ebay but i dont know if they are good price or not. There is a tree trunk protector and two shackles for $49 buy it now how is that for value, worth buying? Matt

[LoadedDisco]

Looks more like a BigHaul or ARB Magnum than a Tirfor.
Unless you are used to using these things, strongly advise you practise setting it up with your own car before you need to use it in earnest.

I agree it looks like a Bighaul. I have a Magnum and haven't needed to use it yet, glad I have not wasted money on a Bull Bar electric job as I wouldn't have used it either.
A hand winch is all that is needed just in case.

[Ace]

I agree it looks like a Bighaul. I have a Magnum and haven't needed to use it yet, glad I have not wasted money on a Bull Bar electric job as I wouldn't have used it either.
A hand winch is all that is needed just in case.

I felt the same way, couldnt justify the cost of an electric one a hand winch is all i need. Matt

[one_iota]

Matt,

There was a stall at the expo selling Black Rat recovery gear including hand winches...last year they offered to sell the stuff at show prices after the event..maybe Barney could help with a contact.

[Ace]

Matt,

There was a stall at the expo selling Black Rat recovery gear including hand winches...last year they offered to sell the stuff at show prices after the event..maybe Barney could help with a contact.

Yeah I rang scouse at work today and he knows the guy so he was chasing it up for me. Thanks anyway Mahn. Matt