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Cheap hand winches
Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 7:30 pm
by pezimm
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.
Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 7:43 pm
by TOONGA
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
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 10:59 am
by tambox
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.
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 2:00 pm
by pezimm
^ good tip on the teeth on both sides of the drum... I will keep an eye on it...
Pedro.
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 2:51 pm
by Gannon
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.
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 3:09 pm
by pezimm
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.
Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 1:45 pm
by RSR 555
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.
Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 4:54 pm
by AlpineRaven
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
Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 7:23 pm
by El_Freddo
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
Winch ahoy ...
Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 7:53 pm
by Bantum
Like it :
There is also this similar
hand-winch
Bit pricy though ...

For Sale ...
Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 8:01 pm
by Bantum
Should keep an eye on this ...
BIGHAUL-Hand-Winch
Might be a goer ...

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 9:24 pm
by AlpineRaven
that one is thumbs up.
Cheers
AP
Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 9:34 pm
by tambox
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

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 10:08 pm
by NachaLuva
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
Yep this one looks good, I think the "Nylon cable" is a tree trunk protector, which can double as a distribution strap for snatching