Cheap hand winches

pezimm · Post by **pezimm** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 7:30 pm

Hi there,

Are these any good???

These obviously wouldn't be used to move the world around, but a 1.4T Foz and a couple hundred kgs of gear should be fine, right?

Not really worried if it takes me hours to move it, but more if it will hold up...

Anyone's ever played around with one of these? Seems a bargain for 50 bucks!

Cheers,
Pedro.

Post by **TOONGA** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 7:43 pm

the "come along" hand winch I know cabinet makers who use these to roll fallen trees into the right position, so they can set up a portable mill and make Jarrah slab tops.

as long as it is looked after it will work well.

TOONGA

tambox · Post by **tambox** » Mon Jan 28, 2013 10:59 am

I tried a couple of these years ago, as long as it has ratchet teeth on both sides of the cable drum, they work well. Teeth on one side of the drum lets the drum twist and the whole thing distorts.
Due to the limited length of cable on the drum, you loose a lot of that taking up the slack, then it can only move you a little bit.
Slow but a lot better than nothing.

pezimm · Post by **pezimm** » Mon Jan 28, 2013 2:00 pm

^ good tip on the teeth on both sides of the drum... I will keep an eye on it...

Pedro.

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Mon Jan 28, 2013 2:51 pm

Ive actually used one of these for lifting an engine out when we didnt have a block and tackle. Slow and painfull, but got the job done.

pezimm · Post by **pezimm** » Mon Jan 28, 2013 3:09 pm

Gannon wrote:Slow and painfull, but got the job done.

Yeap, I can imagine, but it beats "stranded and hopeless", right?

Plus, seems light weight and small, which is always key in a Subaru!

Pedro.

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 1:45 pm

As long as you weren't really badly stuck, then these would get you out.. albiet a bit slow but if time isn't the issue then anything is better than nothing.

I would suggest looking at good quality ones, like strong body design and good quality cable.

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 4:54 pm

Ive had one once - i wouldnt recommend to pull out a car if in trouble - they do work but i have seen cheap ones and good ones, cheap ones are dangerous if not used properly otherwise they work well. i use them for pulling trees while cutting them etc
Cheers
AP

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 7:23 pm

Pedro, I'm sure you've seen mine...

They certainly have their limitations which was the first thing everyone pointed out to me - but I've grown up using them with dad.

While you can get the ones with the rachet on both sides of the drum I've never found one that locks off both sides of the drum, but I guess that's not taking the strain force, it's only holding it.

Mine's worked well until I bent the bottom plate - but that's only minor and I've only got myself to blame.

I'm now carrying one of these with me. Here's a new one with cable included - I reckon this one would also be lighter than the old one in the link; I've got an old rip off of the original tirfor winch

It's a fair bit more than that $50 special though!

Cheers

Bennie

Post by **Bantum** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 7:53 pm

Like it :

There is also this similar hand-winch

Bit pricy though ...

Post by **Bantum** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 8:01 pm

Should keep an eye on this ... BIGHAUL-Hand-Winch

Might be a goer ...

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 9:24 pm

Bantum wrote:Should keep an eye on this ... BIGHAUL-Hand-Winch

Might be a goer ...

that one is thumbs up.
Cheers
AP

tambox · Post by **tambox** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 9:34 pm

Those hand winch types are geat to use.
Thats what I progressed to, after the little ratchet one.
Then I got a good deal on a Warn, portable electric. Its better for us old people

NachaLuva · Post by **NachaLuva** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 10:08 pm

El_Freddo wrote: I'm now carrying one of these with me

Very famous brand, but I think this particular one has seen better days lol

Bantum wrote:Should keep an eye on this ... BIGHAUL-Hand-Winch

Yep this one looks good, I think the "Nylon cable" is a tree trunk protector, which can double as a distribution strap for snatching

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