Thread: winches-electric or hydraulic?

I have only ever had a hydraulic. The Ox 10000lb from TJM. It is much slower than an equivalent electric but much lighter and you don't need to worry about having a dual battery system setup for winching. Also it will winch all day long without a rest. So 100% duty cycle?

I used to have it on my Rodeo but it has come off and is awaiting the Disco.

My decision to get the hydraulic was easy as it was free from work 8) Just had to pay $210 for hoses to connect it up.

The hydraulic Ox is a rebadged MileMarker. At least this is what is stamped on the solenoids.

My only winch experience is my Thomas PTO winch. Like the hydraulic winch it will also pull all day but with the advantage of quite high line speeds (regardless of load) depending on which gear/revs you select. Of course it will only work when engine is, but also has a handle for hand operation which is quite effective (at working up a sweat). Should last forever has more grease nipples than 10 landrovers and doesnt mind being drowned.


My experiences anyway


luke

I've run both.
Hydraulic on my Discovery with Aux pump. This was on "Azzkikr" you may remember it, it was in 4wd monthly about 3 years ago along with a green discovery.
Even with a dedicated pump it was annoyingly slow and cumbersome.

90% of recoveries require winching no more than 10 mtrs and it was a pita to do this quickly with the hydraulic.

Also the hydraulic is limited to engine power, no engine, no winch.

When I changed to the Defender I contemplated changing over the winch but decided to go electric instead.

Yes, I run 2 batteries, but thats for camping anyhow. Yes it needs a little more maintenance to keep it up to par (I perform 3 monthly pulldowns - more often if submerged) but it is faster and more convenient for a large number of recovery situations.

I've done several consecutive straight pulls (spool out, winch in, spool out, winch in again!) and can only suggest if you do it right. eg... Winch 10 seconds, pause 10 seconds, winch 10 seconds etc... the 'good' electrics are fine. This also gives you the time to 'check over' your winching operation to ensure its going ok rather than a flat out winch run.

I've also had total stalls in water where I chose not to restart the engine and was able to winch out with electric.

At the end of the day its your call....

As I say, I've had both but for simplicity, convenience, and the ability to winch with a dead engine (although be it for a limited distance) the electric has many points in its favour.

Cheers
Mike

Originally posted by tombraider
I've run both.
Hydraulic on my Discovery with Aux pump. This was on "Azzkikr" you may remember it, it was in 4wd monthly about 3 years ago along with a green discovery.
Even with a dedicated pump it was annoyingly slow and cumbersome.

90% of recoveries require winching no more than 10 mtrs and it was a pita to do this quickly with the hydraulic.

Also the hydraulic is limited to engine power, no engine, no winch.

When I changed to the Defender I contemplated changing over the winch but decided to go electric instead.

Yes, I run 2 batteries, but thats for camping anyhow. Yes it needs a little more maintenance to keep it up to par (I perform 3 monthly pulldowns - more often if submerged) but it is faster and more convenient for a large number of recovery situations.

I've done several consecutive straight pulls (spool out, winch in, spool out, winch in again!) and can only suggest if you do it right. eg... Winch 10 seconds, pause 10 seconds, winch 10 seconds etc... the 'good' electrics are fine. This also gives you the time to 'check over' your winching operation to ensure its going ok rather than a flat out winch run.

I've also had total stalls in water where I chose not to restart the engine and was able to winch out with electric.

At the end of the day its your call....

As I say, I've had both but for simplicity, convenience, and the ability to winch with a dead engine (although be it for a limited distance) the electric has many points in its favour.

Cheers
Mike

I agree 100%. But if it was to be an engine driven winch, it would be a PTO.

I have a ox hydraulic fitted to my disco II and in the process of fitting a pump to the back of the transfer case flow should go from 6ltr/min to around 80ltrs/min depending on engine revs hopefully be finished in a couple of weeks just in the process of making hyd tank.

I am keeping an eye out for a suitable electric motor to drive a small hyd
pump so if motor stalls I can still get out of the s%#t.

Originally posted by Maggot4x4
I agree 100%. But if it was to be an engine driven winch, it would be a PTO.

Nope then engine belt ran a hydraulic pump which ran the winch.
Technically its "PTO" but it was hydraulic driven.

Cheers
Mike

I think electric is more versatile. And its cheaper, & easier to swap from car to car.

I've never had the creek thing, but I have had it so far over the oil light came on. Only an electric & dry cell batteries get you out of that sort of mess.

You really need to know what you're doing with an engine driven PTO. Unlike an electric, there's no indication of load, & shear pins break. And I've seen people drive off in a hurry after a recovery, with the PTO still engaged... Can't make that sort of damage with an electric.

Apart from maintenance, the only disadvantage to an electric I have come across is a big recovery late in the day, when camping. Not enough time to recharge, & starting issues next morning. But thats about it.

Regards
Max P

Originally posted by Tusker
I think electric is more versatile. And its cheaper, & easier to swap from car to car.

I've never had the creek thing, but I have had it so far over the oil light came on. Only an electric & dry cell batteries get you out of that sort of mess.

You really need to know what you're doing with an engine driven PTO. Unlike an electric, there's no indication of load, & shear pins break. And I've seen people drive off in a hurry after a recovery, with the PTO still engaged... Can't make that sort of damage with an electric.

Apart from maintenance, the only disadvantage to an electric I have come across is a big recovery late in the day, when camping. Not enough time to recharge, & starting issues next morning. But thats about it.

Regards
Max P

I do agree whole heartly with Max, but an overkill alternaror & lots of revs while recovering keep things moving quite well for many hours.

I can't remember the number of winches my Warn has done both on my old Rangie & the Defender, 80% pulling others out of the goo, probably close to 30 or 40 mostly hard slog. One notable club training weekend it recovered (4) four seperate vehicles bogged to the axles so much so I had two Land Rovers hooked up to my rear as an anchor to stop me being pulled into the bog as well

I had a marathon 16 hour bogging some years ago on a LROC club trip, the Warn outlived the PTO on the Stage 1, the PTO ran out of shear pins (4). After pulling him awhile and nearly out he located one more pin to complete his own recovery.

For pulling up the side of a mountain the PTO is a very strong winch almost unstopable...with too much resistance they shear the pins though.

On the same trip BTW, the Tirfor hand winch was unable to move a single vehicle with one operator, barely moved with two, and wore to a frazzle three strong young blokes in three hours. I would if alone never contemplate a hand winch other than to recover a roll over only.

I've seen on a number of occassions a hydraulic fail due to running off the power steering pump making them absolutely useless and slow, ceasing to operate by the mere touch of the steering wheel to change direction. I have to admit to not seeing one operate with the better Maxi-drive pump added which adds another $1200 to the cost of an already expensive bit of gear, but have been assured a pretty good bit of gear to use after it installed.

Cheers
Bryce