winch

**Blknight.aus** · 20th September 2011, 06:52 PM

Maintenance is the key issue...

IVe now repacked 2 of the last round of aldi winches something that I think was an aldi winch and an ARB winch....

no word of a lie, the only real difference between the 3 different winches was

the grease quality
the quality of the insulation and copper in the cabling going to the winch
the brushes contact and support quality (and the spacing of the retaining screws for the brush pack to the motor housing)
the ability to assemble the winch in different orientations
the little handle that operates the engagement of the anulus to the housing
the oldest winch had a differnt pattern on the engagement of the motor to the sun gear of the primary planetary pack

I could have quite easily pulled all the winches completely to pieces thrown all the parts into a 44 gallon drum and then reassembled them with no fear of having a winch that wouldnt work.

**justinc** · 20th September 2011, 08:27 PM

We service Warn winches and 'cheap' winches from time to time, and I can report that 'sealed' winches aren't sealed, $$$$ winches on the whole aren't any better than a few of the cheaper ones, and maintenance is the key. Clean and service them annually if you do a lot of 'wet' driving, whether you use it or not.

MAKE SURE they are well earthed and the power lead isn't 'light duty'. Poor electrical conections WILL ruin any good electric motor and any associated wiring.

JC

**PAT303** · 20th September 2011, 09:47 PM

^^^More ''problems'' with winches,fridges,lights etc etc are caused in my opinion by poor workmanship,cheap connections,the person fitting it new how to do it because his mates uncle told him how to do it than the actual thing fitted.It's amazing how many people buy lights worth $$$$ and then use supercheap value pack 100 connectors for $10 to wire them up. Pat

Zute · 20th September 2011, 11:50 PM

Part of the price difference is going to be whether a Red Neck Yank assembled it, or some Chinese peasant farmer.
Its a pity these 4x4 magazines don't do real comparisons. I'm getting sick of reading the same information I could get off the box.
We really need someone to test them under load and look at the metal quality in the gears and cabling.

Rant over.

**camel_landy** · 21st September 2011, 06:44 PM

Personally, I'd take a step back and ask "Why do you want a winch?"

If you have a specific use... Brilliant. However, most people fit a winch coz "That's what you must have if you have a 4x4"!!!

It has been discussed many times, so a quick search should sort you out with the detail but here's a quick summary of the aruments against:

Winches can only pull in a straight line, therefore if you have a vehicle mounted winch, it can only pull in the one direction... Usually forwards... Further into the crud you actually want to get out of!!
If you're stuck, the quickest way out is usually coming out along the way you went in... i.e. backwards
A vehicle mounted winch is a large weight, mounted infront of the springs. Spring rates need changing and also affects the handling of the vehicle, blah, blah...

Personally, I prefer a hand winch. I know it can be slow and a bit of an effort but with a hand winch, you can pull in any direction you want!!

M

**Yorkie** · 21st September 2011, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by camel_landy

Personally, I'd take a step back and ask "Why do you want a winch?"

If you have a specific use... Brilliant. However, most people fit a winch coz "That's what you must have if you have a 4x4"!!!

It has been discussed many times, so a quick search should sort you out with the detail but here's a quick summary of the aruments against:

Winches can only pull in a straight line, therefore if you have a vehicle mounted winch, it can only pull in the one direction... Usually forwards... Further into the crud you actually want to get out of!! unless your already 3/4 through the slop!!
If you're stuck, the quickest way out is usually coming out along the way you went in... i.e. backwards unless your already 3/4 through the slop!!
A vehicle mounted winch is a large weight, mounted infront of the springs. Spring rates need changing and also affects the handling of the vehicle, blah, blah...blah blah blah!!

Personally, I prefer a hand winch. I know it can be slow and a bit of an effort but with a hand winch, you can pull in any direction you want!!
i am a lazy barsteward so will stick to electic!!
M

for me it will give an extra level of assurance of getting unstuck when solo travelling, every chance it will get little use but it is there just in case.

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