Posted by METALMAN on September 04, 1999 at 11:04:47:
In Reply to: More winch questions posted by M37 Newbie on September 02, 1999 at 23:49:39:
Regarding winchs most electric units are junk PTO is the way to go as far as reliability and simplicity.Most of the time you will stall the motor if you are overworking the unit.If you than increase engine speed you will overcome the resistance or throw the pto shaft or universals.I have only broke the bronze worm once in over 30 yrs of towing and recovery.Hydraulic winchs are smooth but require a lot of plumbing, pumps,tanks, control valves and hyd hoses that seem to pop for no reason even though they are not chaffed or outer coating cracked.I have blown a lot more hoses on my hyd equipped winchs than I ever have had PTO or mechanical winch problems.Also in cold climates hydraulics are sluggish and slow till ran for a bit.Water and cond. can also cause problems in hyd. Remember when working with cableto work safey ,calculate resistance and safe working loads use snatch blocks and good quality cable and chain. Make sure what you hook onto isnt gonna rip out and bite you.To take the whip out of the cable should something fail hang a blanket or jacket halfway between length of cable and move it as you reel it in