How much wench do I need?

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schmauster

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I'm looking into getting a wench for dragging trees and whatnot. I don't off-road much unless it's for tree work. I have a 2000 4x4 v6 4runner. Weighs around 4000lbs.

I just want something powerful enough to drag the car/ be at my maximum pulling power. Thinking used or harbor freight. I'll probably mount it on a hitch reciever in the rear and run wires back with a big fuse.

Thanks guys
 
I wish I could find a wench to drag trees for me. Good luck finding one.

I think you'll have much better luck finding a WINCH to mount on your rig.

I think rule of thumb for winch sizing for trucks etc is 1.5X your maximum operating loaded weight. So, if your truck weighs 4000# with fuel, tools, saws, etc, then a 6000# would do it. Personally I'd probably go with an 8000# because that's a common size and they're reasonably inexpensive.

One thing to know is that these winches are really best suited for recovery of vehicles. There have a short duty cycle and put a heavy draw on your battery and alternator. Using one to drag a log will probably work. Using one to drag logs out of the woods all day would be a bad choice. They're also pretty slow. Better than nothing, though. Before you use it heavily, though, you may want to determine how easy it is to replace your alternator.
 
8k avoid harbor fright,

bigger winch will handle a lighter load longer.

Smitttybilt makes a pretty good winch, and about half the price of a warn or ramsey. I picked up a 9,500 version for just over $400 new, use it fairly regularly.

the 2k-4k winches are waste of money, slow and under powered, they are rated at single layer pull, the more layers of cable the less you can pull.
 
wench-outfit.jpg
 
A good 1/2" rigging rope and some nice heavy duty pulleys are way better for dragging logs than an electric winch. Look at 150' of stablebraid or sta-set. The stainless 5/8" cmi pulleys are great for this application and relatively inexpensive, then you just need a sling and steel carabiner or shackle. Probably $250 worth of stuff or about as much as a crappy 8k lb winch
Electric winches are decent for vehicle recovery but not made for the same uses that a hydraulic or pto winch on a piece of forestry equipment are.
 
Because it is worth repeating, I will repeat what others have said. A DC electric winch rated at least 8000# is fine for the occasional short duration (talking mere minutes) vehicle recovery of your size. It will also work for occasional 25 to 40 foot drags of stuff. It is a poor choice for anything continuous or repetitive. Been there done that. Continuous will toast the motor. Repetitive will drain your battery(ies).

Ron
 
Thank you for your input.. sounds like I'll stick to using the vehicle to drag things.

I'll look into the rope. Maybe marine supply stores will be cheapest. I'd rather have something that lasts hence the cable vs rope, but if it'll last years then rope it is. Handling that braided cable really isn't fun.
 
Ropes and skidding logs is a good way to cut ropes and break windsheilds.

Just use cable, 5/16 or 3/8 is available at any hardware store and will work just fine.

Use a chain if you like, a proper cable choker is easier to deal with.

Get a couple cheap snatch blocks yer not working over head so no need to spend the money on certs
 
Got a new 100' spool of 3/8 braided wire for 20 bucks from a friend. Going to go to a rigging supply place around here and get a choker and thimble (loop) installed. Everything is working out :)
 
That wench might be a little more than I want....

I only cut firewood for 3 houses in northern California.. we only burn for about 4-5 months out of the year. I think a winch might be overkill and hard on the rest of the car. I found a 100' spool of 3/8 steel braided cable for 20 bucks. Going to get a choker and loop on either end and use that.

I have a snatch block and a 5000lb rated caribiner that should do the trick for now. I don't sell wood, just trade firewood for access to trees and splitting on their property. Good deal if you ask me.

Thanks guys
 
I have a wench to sit behind the wheel and pull logs while I run around with the lines. Glad she doesn't read my posts or I'd be on the couch for a few nights.

Plus she can run the 025. I'm a happy man

5x the wench you can afford.. that's just waiting for a comment...
 
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