Winch for RTV 900

[Boondox]

I've searched and found a few reviews from satisfied users, but the Warn 2500# winch Kubota recommends seems a bit underpowered to me. A little background. I live on 155 acres of mostly steep hardwood forested hillside in Vermont. We get a lot of snow, and when it goes it leaves behind a lot of soft earth and mud for a couple of months. Now and then summer rains refresh the mud. So I expect to get stuck now and then while harvesting firewood.

Given the weight of the RTV, an additional few hundred # of cargo, and the suction of mud, I'm thinking a 4000 to 5000 # winch would be better suited. Warn has the good name, but in the ATV world Venom and Viper 5000# winches have developed solid reputations and cost one-third the price of the Warn 4k. Since I almost always use a snatchblock, it seems likely that any three of those winches will get me out of trouble. But cost and the fact that the Venom is submersible have me leaning in that direction.

Any adverse feedback to share before I buy?

Pete

 

[ayelvington]

I have a 3,000 lb Harbor Freight special that has served me well. I cracked the spindle on the first one last month, and now I'm running on the replacement. I just buy a new 2-year replacement plan with each replacement, and then I consider the winch a disposable commodity

 

[R_Walter]

Just curious... but, as a practical matter, when will u ever submerge your winch?

 

[Topkicker]

Don't count out Smittybilt winches. They've made a good name in the off-road world. Got the 8000lb XRC comp winch w synthetic line and alluminum fairlead on my Wrangler. Check out their 4000lb comp winch Smittybilt ATV Winches

 

[Boondox]

Just curious... but, as a practical matter, when will u ever submerge your winch?

Not something I plan to do, but this year the wind-driven rain managed to blow thru the vents and get the engine of my mini-excavator wet. I'm not going to assume the winch would remain dry.

Thanks for the Smittybilt link; I'll check them out.

ayelvington: Have you been in a situation where the 3k winch had trouble pulling the load?

 

[westbrooklawn]

I installed a 5000lb Viper on my RTV900. I have been very pleased with it. I went with the amsteel line instead of metal cable... I would highly recommend that. I have only been stuck twice with mine, and both times my winch pulled me out easily.

 

[ayelvington]

ayelvington: Have you been in a situation where the 3k winch had trouble pulling the load?

Only once, and then I parted the amsteel tow line and cracked the aluminum spindle I was trying to move a downed maple, and looking back it I don't think a larger winch would have moved it either.