Choosing the right winch is about more than just load capacity.
It’s finally spring…and time for mud season! Are you ready? The right winch can get you out of the mud, move logs on your back forty, and load that old tractor onto a trailer bed.
Choosing the Best Winch
Choosing a winch depends on how you plan to use it. Winches can be used for a variety of applications, including pulling out stuck vehicles, moving deadwood, lifting a snow plow, and winching an old car onto a trailer, just to name a few.
Some types of winching place more strain on the winch. Rolling loads offer the least resistance, while stuck loads place the most strain on your winch. The sucking forces of mud and sand require the winch to work that much harder in order to pull out a stuck vehicle. Take this into account when you choose the pulling power of your winch.
Winch Brakes
If you expect the winch line to hold weight without creeping under heavy loads or on steep angles, be sure to get a winch with both mechanical and dynamic braking. Every winch includes a dynamic brake, which is an automatic in-the-drum braking system. Some winches also include a mechanical brake, which is a physical brake that works similar to the brakes on your car.
If you winch at steep angles, under heavy loads (close to the max winch capacity), or with a snow plow system, we recommend getting a winch with both dynamic and mechanical braking. The mechanical brake will hold the load better and prevent slipping.
Winch Line
When it comes to winch line, you have a choice between traditional wire rope and the newer synthetic rope. Steel rope is durable, resistant to abrasion, and holds up well under exposure to UV rays and the elements. Synthetic rope is less well known; however, it is gaining popularity in the offroad world due to the fact that it’s safer than wire rope (no dangerous recoil action), very lightweight (plus it floats in water), and easy on your hands (no burrs, stray wires, or burns).
