ahhh... got'cha... Good advice.

 

I went to the synthetic because of binding and safety. Syn = no binding if your pulling from one side, and if you brake a syn line under load it falls to the ground, a cable will whip and can cause harm to people if they are anywhere near it when it breaks. Another bonus is you can tie Syn if it brakes on the trail, cable no dice. BUT....Syn can fray so you need to be carefull of rock and trees.

As for the putting something on the steel winch line under load(coat, blanket) its to stop the cable from whiping if it brakes.

 

What's the difference between syn rope and steel rope?

When you say have something on the line incase it snaps, what does that mean?

 

^^^^^^^^^^All very good advice^^^^^^^^^^^ :mrgreen:

 

I'm running the Superwinch EPi 9.0. I've used it quite a bit and it's still plugging away without any problems. It pulls fast and draws less power than an equivalent Warn winch. I have a couple friends running the same winch, and they are all holding up well to regular use.

Here are some things to consider as a future winch owner
1) Every winch owner should have at least one snatch block, a tree saver, a couple shackles, and something to put on the winch line in case it snaps. So be sure to factor that in as additional costs.
2) Assuming you have enough rope, use the snatch block to "double" up the line for hard pulls. The winch doesn't need to work as hard, so it might actually speed things up.
3) Before you use your winch, unspool most of it (read the manual to see how far it can safely be unspooled, and properly respool it with some tension. Otherwise your rope won't be too happy when you use it. I would suggest finding a responsible friend with a winch to help you with this since this is one of those things easier explained in person.
4) A snatch block or fairlead that was used at least once with steel rope should never be used for synthetic rope.
5) If you have a dual post battery like an Optima, always run the winch to the top terminals. I run my winch exclusively to the top terminals and the main ZJ connectors to the side terminals.

 

I might consider a summit 10 or 12,000lb for my next one, if i ever need another. Made by T-max i hear. I just compare specs, and price, but you do get what you pay for quaulity wise.
id like to convert mine to a aluminum hawse and rope, but gotta wear out what this winch came with first. winches are heavy, i mostly want to convert just to save a few pounds off the nose of the rig. that and the rollers are ugly :lol:
Any battery with over 700 cca should be fine i would think.

 

as for which winch and so forth, that question is pretty subjective, like which vehicle brand to buy.
I'd stick to the basics. Warn/Milemarker/TMax, etc.

Also with synthetic rope, I have learned that i fyou use a brand new roller fairlead with it, the synthetic will do fine, and supposedly last longer even.

I don't know....With Winches you get what you pay for. My Mile Marker 9500 lasted 6 pulls before it went up in smoke. Plus it was the sloooooooooweest winch ever made.

My Warn XD9000i pulls like a beast, and has never gotten hot. The Roller fairlead does work sweet with syn-line, some guys don't use them due to aproach angles.

 

Thanks for the info... I guess I'll be stepping up the battery too then. I have the DIe hard gold series battery right now...

I appreciate your responses.,,,

 

as for which winch and so forth, that question is pretty subjective, like which vehicle brand to buy.
I'd stick to the basics. Warn/Milemarker/TMax, etc.

Also with synthetic rope, I have learned that i fyou use a brand new roller fairlead with it, the synthetic will do fine, and supposedly last longer even.

 

Red tops are fine. The yellow are the deep cycle, don't drain as much under heavy winch loads.

 

i got a red top with 800 cca's.that should be sufficient for a winch right?just watch how long i use it in between breaks to recharge

 

Yellow top Optima, Roller fairlead (hawse for sy-rope), Warn, Superwinch, T-max, other crap, in that order. Done. :mrgreen: