Winch recommendations for 2" receiver tractor + jeeps

[lhfarm]

My friends at work gave me a nice retirement gift card loaded with money to buy something for my jeeps. I'd like to take it and add enough to get a 12v winch I can move from the jeeps to the tractor. I've tried to do some reading here and I'm guessing the way my TC40DA is configured, I should get a 9000 lb winch. That will be more than enough for the jeeps (a 1947 CJ2A and a 1979 CJ7).

I don't expect a great deal of use, but I had a recent incident that made me believe it is time to have a winch around the place. I think I want to stay with the low-end Warn, Mile Marker or Ramsey. I'd like to keep the cost as low as possible, but don't want to under-buy. If I can stick to around $600, that would be great, but open to more if it gets me something that lasts.

Once I find the winch, I'll be looking for options to adding a receiver hitch to the front of the TC40DA bucket and/or brush grill. Experiences with the above winches (or others in that price range) greatly appeciated.

Thanks,

 

[ChrsDrn]

Hi,
I have a 9k warn Tabor on my TJ I really like it, however I would not want it mounted to a receiver hitch... I think mounting that way is fine for straight pulls but not so good for side pulling
Chris

 

[lhfarm]

Hi,
I have a 9k warn Tabor on my TJ I really like it, however I would not want it mounted to a receiver hitch... I think mounting that way is fine for straight pulls but not so good for side pulling
Chris

I'm lucky enough to have my own jeep trails (actually old wagon roads). I don't expect I would be doing many side pulls. My latest incident was getting my little Cub stuck on a very slick (wet clay) hill. It was a "I need a winch" moment. I use the 47 Willys as much as I use my tractor and want to be able to move the winch between them. I do understand the compromises I need to make.

Thanks for the info on the Tabor. It is on my short list.

 

[podagrower]

I have a Mile Marker 8K hydraulic winch and it is more than I have ever needed. I love the fact it doesn't draw the large amounts of electricity an electric winch draws. But I'm guessing a '47 CJ2A doesn't have power steering to drive the hydraulics, and quick disconnects and solenoids for three vehicles would get a little pricey.

The thing that would concern me about the electric would be the low amperage output of a tractor and CJ2A alternator. But if it is only light use every now and again, it shouldn't be an issue.

One thing I did on my truck to make my winch more useful. I mounted a 2" receiver to the bottom side of the winch mount. That way, I can hook my trailer to the front of my truck and winch items onto the trailer.

 

[lhfarm]

You are correct, the 2A doesn't have power steering - it has a huge steering wheel. But it is a "farm jeep" and does have its own hydraulic pump that powers the 3pt. I also have a 12v hydraulic pump setup that rides in the back I use as auxiliary outlets for my little dump trailer. But I think for my limited needs an electric model would be simpler to deal with.

The 2A came as a 12v system with a generator. Not sure if it was original equipment or added later. So I will need to upgrade the battery or add a second (I run the hydraulic pump off a deep cycle) battery.

If I hadn't received the retirement gift, I don't think I could justify the expense. My co-workers really wanted me to feed my jeep habits and this can be a good tractor attachment too.

Thanks for the idea.

 

[ovrszd]

I have winches on my Jeeps and my Rhino UTV. I've owned several brands of winches from "cheap" ones to top of the line. I wheel hard. I now only buy what I consider the best and most dependable. I prefer Warn over all other brands.

An 8K winch will do everything you need. You can shop around and buy a Warn M8000 within your budget. It's a very dependable winch and simple in it's design.

I am amused when I hear someone say they aren't concerned about pulling at an angle because they'll always be pulling straight. I must be a horrible driver because nine times out of ten when I need the winch I'm pulling at an angle.

Again, your uses appear to be light, but you should always equip for the worst. Here's an example I use. Will the winch and it's mount lift the vehicle off the ground? So if you have a receiver fastened to your loader bucket and attach a winch to that receiver would you be willing to throw the cable over a big tree limb or whatever else you can find and hang your tractor from it??? You have an 8K or 9K or whatever strength winch that has the ability to easily lift your Jeep or tractor. Would you hang your vehicle from that winch/winch mount???

If the answer is no, you have built a useless winch setup. A setup that will ultimately do damage to your tractor, Jeep, UTV, or whatever you've attached it to. Always, always, always plan for the extreme. That way you won't hurt yourself or kill someone nearby when your setup fails. Winch and/or winch mount failure is catastrophic with deadly results.

A winch failure is more apt to hurt or kill you than running junk tires on your car or pickup. Do you run junk tires on your vehicle?? Do you run your road vehicle with worn out steering parts, chassis parts, bad brakes?? Of course not. You maintain your equipment to minimize failure. Apply the same seriousness to your winch system design. Failure is not acceptable and will cripple you in the blink of an eye.

Give your decision making process the utmost respect and never cut corners when a winch is involved. :thumbsup:

 

[lhfarm]

Richard,
Thanks for the winch recommendation and for the sound advice on paying attention to the mounting system. I will give it the same attention I give to picking out the winch.

I shouldn't have said I'll always have straight pulls, but I do believe that will be the case most of the time, since I'll only be on my own trails. I don't take the Willys off the place and I don't take it places where I think I'll get stuck. But I am going to do some reading on winching so I will be better informed. I have a couple of Jim Allen's books and will start there.

 

[TeamNH]

I have to agree with the above posts. Winches are not to be taken lightly. I would be sure that the mount is very strong.

Something else to consider, the winch as a tool. Example, I own a warn 3000# ATV winch on my Grizzly. Of all my toys, tools and equipment I consider that winch in the top 3 most important. I pulled logs, brush, deer, hung tree stands, put my gun safe down my basement stairs, I used it to hold me on the roof while fixing the roof, clear dead limbs from trees, the list is endless. Don't think of the winch as a recover device... but more like a tool, the sky is the limit. With that said, plan on using it at an angle, the one time you will need to use it at an angle, it will pay for itself. Just look up the local tow service and get there recovery price. I would never get another ATV or UTV without a winch. And someday I will get one for my tractor and truck.

As for a brand, I swear by my warn. Its out pulled and lasted other brands in the same class. I've even hooked it to my wifes car when it got stuck in our driveway... pulled her right out. In my opinion, when it comes to a winch, get the best one you can get in the weight class your looking for, you will NEVER feel bad you did.

 

[TeamNH]

I forgot to add, make sure you get a bunch of winch accessories like snatch blocks or tree savers, D links... It will make your winch more useful and when used right, twice as strong.

http://www.warn.com/corporate/images/90/UserManualSRC.US.readers.pdf

 

[ovrszd]

Richard,
Thanks for the winch recommendation and for the sound advice on paying attention to the mounting system. I will give it the same attention I give to picking out the winch.

I shouldn't have said I'll always have straight pulls, but I do believe that will be the case most of the time, since I'll only be on my own trails. I don't take the Willys off the place and I don't take it places where I think I'll get stuck. But I am going to do some reading on winching so I will be better informed. I have a couple of Jim Allen's books and will start there.

Let me add that you will want additional equipment once you have a working winch. You need at least two 3/4" screw pin shackles, at least two tree straps with equivalent strength of your winch, at least one pulley block with equivalent strength of your winch. This equipment will allow you to direct the pull of your winch or move your stuck vehicle in a direction other than where the winch is pointing. I've even used a front mounted Jeep winch to pull myself backwards.

Most of my winching is on my own property also. I'm blessed with sixty acres of steep ravined big oak timber that we have developed with miles of trails. Some difficult, some easy. My entire family enjoys wheeling in that timber including the grandkids on their ATVs.

Hope you enjoy your winch addition regardless of brand. Be safe!!