Detachable winch cradle question

[Ranga]

Tigerz11.com.au

Remote Winch Cradle for Hitch - Dolium Pty Ltd

Does this need to be attached to a tow-hitch? Would it be possible to attach them to say a big tree, to winch a vehicle sideways or on a vehicle without a front hitch?

Also, is it possible to have temporary wiring, like heavy duty jump start cables?

One thing that I've also thought about is the strain on the tow hitch. Do you think a hitch would be strong enough, particularly with the many angles of strain the cradle would put on it?

[weeds]

for those $$$ i would by a hand winch.....

a cradle and a second electric winch along with removing batteries which i'm guessing could be start batteries, dealing with flat batteries and how often would you need?

hand winch sounds pretty economical

[disco2hse]

Depends on the size of vehicle as to how safe they'd be. But yes the question does remain about lateral stresses on tow receivers. I have seen something similar used on Zooks for front and rear winching. Very good option on them. How they were set up these were ideal.

I would not be carting a portable winch around and slinging it to a tree. A hand winch is built for that and would be a whole lot safer. For example, the winch is designed to stay in one place and feed in cable. What happens if it decides to flip around or upside down?

[PhilipA]

I have a now 20plus year old Warn 4000lb portable winch which comes in a box , and can be used via a receiver or via a drag chain through 2 shackles inset into the box.
An option is HD welding type leads to an Anderson plug which I have mounted on the rear bumper.
The leads are long enough to pull from the chassis on the side from the second battery.
I have now mounted a receiver on the front using a (very) HD towbar, modifird to fit.
To me the best of all solutions, however I have rarely used it and then only to recover club members in predicaments.
You would need one maybe 2 snatch blocks for a pull from mud.

BTW, talk about sideways forces on receivers. Surely nobody would try to pull on an angle! Although I must admit I have had to point out to supposed experts that if they are pulling not directly in line with where the wheels are pointing the loads are increased many fold.

The answer is to align the pull with the wheelbase , by straightening the pull with another cable/rope tied off on an angle and holding the pull cable via a snatch block, NOT to pull on an angle and be damned.
Warn Industries - Multi-Mount Portable Winch System

Mine is similar in concept to this but more elaborate with a plastic cover and fully enclosed box to house the receiver, shackles etc and a normal 30metre cable.
You can buy cradles now for any winch, and you could easily add shackle mount points so that it could be used from the side, and add Anderson plugs and extension cords .

Regards Philip A

[Ranga]

I already have a HD Anderson plug wired from the back of the vehicle through to the battery.

The one thing that eludes me is earthing out my winch. When hardwired into the vehicle, I have the usual cables going from the control box to the winch (no-brainer), a power cable going from the + on the battery to the control box, and an earth going from the - on the battery to the winch.

I assume the positive into the control box is what would connect into the Anderson plug, but what would the earth on the winch connect to?

[DT-P38]

Simple if you want to. Stop thinking of how not to, and JUST DO IT!

Beef it all up if your not sure, but don't let "what if" decide your destiny

[Blknight.aus]

I already have a HD Anderson plug wired from the back of the vehicle through to the battery.

The one thing that eludes me is earthing out my winch. When hardwired into the vehicle, I have the usual cables going from the control box to the winch (no-brainer), a power cable going from the + on the battery to the control box, and an earth going from the - on the battery to the winch.

I assume the positive into the control box is what would connect into the Anderson plug, but what would the earth on the winch connect to?

a pair of torque reaction arms...

run a chain to your anchor point one arm goes onto that, the other arm goes onto the winch cable and helps keep control of the fleet angle onto the winch.

[disco2hse]

but what would the earth on the winch connect to?

What does it connect to now? It would be the same. The removable plugs I have seen have a +ve and -ve terminal. Check out a marine or motor home outlet it you need to for suitable waterproof plugs.