Thread: Hand Winch's

G'day ******,

I have a big haul, It works really well.

BUT after recovering the vehicle...... the winch operator usually needs recovering too.............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"... 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

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.....

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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 !!)

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


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

Mark