ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: fordem on December 02, 2010, 05:00:00 AM
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Curosity question really - but - how are winches rated?
The rule of thumb appears to be to use a winch with a load rating of, at a minimum, 1.5 times the gross vehicle weight - so for a 3,800lb truck, you would want a minimum of 5,700lb, so that would translate to an 8,000lb, 8,500lb or 9,000 lb winch, and you'd couple this up with a shackle rated for perhaps 3.25 tons or 7,150 lbs.
Now that shackle rating is safe working load - you can safely use that shackle to LIFT 7,000 lbs - the proof load on that shackle would be roughly double the working load, and the breaking load as much as FIVE times the SWL.
So - how are winches rated - can a winch with an 8,000 lb rating actually lift 8,000 lb?
For example - bolt the winch to the side of a barn, run the line completely off of the drum save for 3~4 turns, over a snatch block and then to a sling attached to the four wheels of the vehicle (as would be used to lift it off of a ship) - and power the winch from a large bank of batteries (to ensure unlimited amperage) - can an 8,000 lb winch lift an 8,000 load?
Let's assume my 3,800 truck is at the bottom of a 1:2 gravel slope, no mud or sand, the problem is a lack of traction, the vehicle is not bogged, and there is none of that "suction" that occurs with a bogged vehicle - can I expect that 8,000 lb winch to pull the truck up that slope?
Last question - are all winches rated the same way?
I've come across a couple of brand new series 70 Toyota Land Crusier troop carriers, 3300kg GVW, and these were equipped with a 2000kg winch - factory fitted - and I have seen them pull seriously bogged vehicles, well over the 2000kg rating, out of the mud, when a section of the road washed away.
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Great queations Fordum, I wish I had something to input. I too would like to know more about this. I've wondered if I could use my winch, with a snatch block ( shackle ) slung over a large tree branch to actually lift my Tracker front end off the ground.
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An 8000lb winch should be able to pull with 8000 pounds of force. So it would be able to pulling a 8000lb vehicle on flat ground with no resistance, or dead lift 8000lb worth of weight.
Note that most winches list the rating for the pull with only a single wind of cable. For most winches you will be pulling with 4 levels of wrap, dropping the winch rating down.
For example the default Harbor Freight/Chicago Electric 8000lb winch:
1 wrap - 8000lb
2 wrap - 6900lb
3 wrap - 5600lb
4 wrap - 5100lb
Compared to a Warn 9000i
1 wrap - 9000lb
2 wrap - 8190lb
3 wrap - 7500lb
4 wrap - 7010lb
5 wrap - 6570lb
So the Warn is rated to pull more with 4 wraps of cable then the 8000lb one is with 2. Something to look at with a heavy vehicle. With 4 wraps the Harbor Freight winch is actually under the 1.5 weight recommendation of your 3,800 lb vehicle (5700 vs 5100 pull rating).
You will also need to take a look at the electrical load, to pull with 6000 lbs of force most winches are looking to use 330+ amps of power, so you will need a good battery to take that load. If you really plan on using a winch you will want a lot of cold cranking amps, dual batteries or a dry cell. Or a really strong alternator. I use a dual 6v system on my SJ so I don't have to worry about the load.
Last thing to look at is the price vs performance. A big fancy fast winch is nice, but for $300 you can get the default harbor freight. It will pull out you, quite a bit slower then a 2 speed Warn, and will usually never let you down. If you plan on using your winch a few times a year it will probably be more then enough to satisfy your needs and won't break the bank like a $900 Warn.
With the correct setup you should be able to lift your entire vehicle off the ground. :D
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This thread made me think of this;
If it can't climb a tree It isn't a Land Rover (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2B_lcaP7aA#)
(the gods must be crazy)
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Funny!
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Here's owners' manual info from my SmittyBilt XRC8.
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Last thing to look at is the price vs performance. A big fancy fast winch is nice, but for $300 you can get the default harbor freight. It will pull out you, quite a bit slower then a 2 speed Warn, and will usually never let you down. If you plan on using your winch a few times a year it will probably be more then enough to satisfy your needs and won't break the bank like a $900 Warn.
Just FYI, WARN doesn't make a two-speed electric winch. Also, you can get an M8000 all day for $539. ;)
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Just FYI, WARN doesn't make a two-speed electric winch. Also, you can get an M8000 all day for $539. ;)
Ah, I thought Warn had a two speed winch. It's just twice as fast, my bad. :D