Cord
Veteran Member
Does anybody know how to translate a winches line pulling capacity would translate to lifting capacity? I know that most winches are rated for a rolling load which is significantly more (less?) than what it could lift.
Using a winch as a hoist
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Nope. Also, be prepared for a bunch of comments regarding overhead lifting, safety, etc.... 
2ndhalf
Veteran Member
Are you sure you want to do that? Make sure what you have that pully hooked to will hold up to winches capacity or you could pull down a rafter. I normally wouldn't have posted this but Moss's comment kind of "made me do it".. : )
But it is true.. make sure you have very good cross beam that the hoist pully is attached to!
I do not know the answer to your question though.
But it is true.. make sure you have very good cross beam that the hoist pully is attached to!
I do not know the answer to your question though.
ovrszd
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You are totally overthinking this. Think about this. The winch does not know vertical from horizontal. All it knows is exerting a force. So,,,, if it's an 8,000 winch, that's it's maximum ability, vetical, horizontal, whatever.
ovrszd
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Nope. Not sure where that even comes from. I currently use 4 winches under extremely difficult situations. When I'm hanging on a vertically steep cliff on-cable I take comfort in knowing the winch doesn't get freaked out about it.
Halfrsed
New member
Something to consider is that most overhead winches have a brake to hold the load.
With a boat or ATV winch, when you let go of the "Up" button the spool has nothing stopping it from succumbing to gravity at high speed!
I have tested this for myself in my younger days :shocked:
With a boat or ATV winch, when you let go of the "Up" button the spool has nothing stopping it from succumbing to gravity at high speed!
I have tested this for myself in my younger days :shocked:
ruffdog
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^^Correct^^ I run a 2-ton ARO hoist.
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Nope. Also, be prepared for a bunch of comments regarding overhead lifting, safety, etc....
See? :laughing:
A winch is for pulling and a hoist is for lifting...
What Is the Difference Between a Winch And A Hoist? | GSES
Wagtail
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Ahhh... but so is a capstan. (yes I'm pedantic)
And all three can employ various combinations of blocks ['block & tackle' blocks, not building blocks] to pull or to hoist.
2ndhalf
Veteran Member
Good write up on Grainger. I always learns me something new everytime I come on this site.
Copy and past this in.... Hoists & Winches':' Which One is Right for the Job'?' - Grainger Industrial Supply
Copy and past this in.... Hoists & Winches':' Which One is Right for the Job'?' - Grainger Industrial Supply
stuckmotor
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2ndhalf
Thanks for the link. Reminds me of the days when the descriptions in the Sears and Robuck catalog was a primary source for knowlege on things mechanical.
Thanks for the link. Reminds me of the days when the descriptions in the Sears and Robuck catalog was a primary source for knowlege on things mechanical.
oosik
Epic Contributor
I don't know about ALL winches - but when I had a Warn on the Jeep there was a DEFINITE warning in the OP manual to not use the winch as a hoist. The brake on the Warn was not the type needed for hoisting. Friction vs gear/cog. Then there was alway the problem of the Jeep moving forward and dropping a hoisted load.
Sawyer Rob
Super Member
I've seen winch ratings, both ways...
I've noticed "lower priced" winches are more times than not, are rated for rolling load. The better winches are rated for actual pulling power.
I'm not talking about boat winches, I'm talking about recovery winches! It's just that many buyers of cheapo winches use them for boat winches. Duty cycle kills more electric winches than anything else, actually it's people NOT paying attention to the duty cycle.
I've seen many times the warning to NOT use a recovery winch for a hoist, it's not about the rating, it's about covering their behind when you do something stupid and hurt yourself. The gov specs for using one for a hoist is different than using one for recovery...
Personally, I wouldn't trust a cheapo winch, to be used for over head use!
SR
I've noticed "lower priced" winches are more times than not, are rated for rolling load. The better winches are rated for actual pulling power.
I'm not talking about boat winches, I'm talking about recovery winches! It's just that many buyers of cheapo winches use them for boat winches. Duty cycle kills more electric winches than anything else, actually it's people NOT paying attention to the duty cycle.
I've seen many times the warning to NOT use a recovery winch for a hoist, it's not about the rating, it's about covering their behind when you do something stupid and hurt yourself. The gov specs for using one for a hoist is different than using one for recovery...
Personally, I wouldn't trust a cheapo winch, to be used for over head use!
SR
ovrszd
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Not sure how rolling load ratings mean anything. I have no idea how to even determine the value in that? I'm pretty sure I can hook my 3K ATV winch to a 80,000 semi sitting on paved, flat surface and roll it. Does that mean I have an 80K winch?? An extreme example would be moving a train. If my 3K winch can "pull" against the train long enough to get it started without burning up, it will definitely pull a train. Not sure what that proves.
I agree about the liability for the manufacturer. Pulling winches do not have the type of brake system necessary to ensure they will hold their maximum pull load vertically for an indefinite period of time. I've repeatedly held my 4,200 lb buggy on a cliff ledge with my 9,500lb winch. I never worry about doing that. But I wouldn't go home and leave my buggy hanging overnight.
I don't buy cheap winches. I buy proven winches. A part of that formula is Duty Cycle. Amp draw and line speed are in that equation as well.
In all of this discussion I don't think we even know what the intended use is yet??
Well I did a little more research and found some posts where people had tried to use a winch as a hoist. There were several reports of the brakes not holding. I'd presume this would be an issue when lifting at the winches capacity or when the brake has some wear on it. Anyways, I've decided that I really need to limit my options to a hoist.
Currently looking at this Warn 4,000lb hoist: Warn Industries - Industrial Hoists: DC4000
I believe that hoist is based on this winch: Warn Industries - Tow Truck & Industrial DC Electric Winches: Series 12
Comparing the two I've noticed a few differences. The biggest difference appears to be the winch drum. The hoist has a larger diameter drum than the winch which limits it to three wraps vs the 4 wraps on the winch. The hoist drum is also 4" narrower than the winch drum. I also noticed the hoist does not have the freespool lever. Both have a disk brake. Comparing specs, the winch has significantly more pulling power on the 4th wrap than the hoist has on it's first wrap. The figures are in lbft so they are comparable. The other thing that I noticed is the amp draw. The hoist draws 250amps at it's max 4,000lb pull. The winch pulls about 225a at 4,000lb. Pretty comparable amp draws, but hoist is no where near the max 400 amps the winch to draw at 12,000lbs.
Basically, the 4,000lb hoist is the same as the 12,000lb winch. On Craigslist near me is a 9,000lb Warn winch. If we used the same 3:1 capacity reduction, I wonder if it couldn't be used as a 3,000lb hoist? Comparing the 9,000lb winch to. A 3,000lb hoist and the results are exactly the same. The hoist has a 3:1 capacity reduction, no freespool lever and a smaller drum.
Currently looking at this Warn 4,000lb hoist: Warn Industries - Industrial Hoists: DC4000
I believe that hoist is based on this winch: Warn Industries - Tow Truck & Industrial DC Electric Winches: Series 12
Comparing the two I've noticed a few differences. The biggest difference appears to be the winch drum. The hoist has a larger diameter drum than the winch which limits it to three wraps vs the 4 wraps on the winch. The hoist drum is also 4" narrower than the winch drum. I also noticed the hoist does not have the freespool lever. Both have a disk brake. Comparing specs, the winch has significantly more pulling power on the 4th wrap than the hoist has on it's first wrap. The figures are in lbft so they are comparable. The other thing that I noticed is the amp draw. The hoist draws 250amps at it's max 4,000lb pull. The winch pulls about 225a at 4,000lb. Pretty comparable amp draws, but hoist is no where near the max 400 amps the winch to draw at 12,000lbs.
Basically, the 4,000lb hoist is the same as the 12,000lb winch. On Craigslist near me is a 9,000lb Warn winch. If we used the same 3:1 capacity reduction, I wonder if it couldn't be used as a 3,000lb hoist? Comparing the 9,000lb winch to. A 3,000lb hoist and the results are exactly the same. The hoist has a 3:1 capacity reduction, no freespool lever and a smaller drum.
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