What do you need to know before buying a winch?

A winch is a tool that is used for dragging or lifting; it is constructed of a rope, cable, or chain that is looped around a horizontal, revolving drum and is rotated by a crank or engine. You won't necessarily need a winch until you actually need one. But having one prepared will help you feel far less anxious when you need it. A winch is very helpful and a need for UTV or side-by-side owners, whether you or someone you know gets bogged in the mud, is moving game, or is clearing branches from the path. A winch may truly help you and your friends have the best time possible when exploring the off-roads and encountering unfamiliar hazards and difficult terrain.

PULLING POWER

How do you calculate a winch line pull?

ATV and side-by-side winches start at 2000 pounds. depending on the weight of your vehicle and the type of riding you perform, ranging from 6000 lb. The best winch may be chosen by following certain fundamental guidelines.

ATVs require a winch that weighs between 2000 and lb. and 3500 lb. A 2500 lb winch, in our opinion, is the ideal weight for an ATV winch for everyday use. A 3000–3500 kg. horse is recommended if you enjoy riding in the mud and frequently encounter deep mud holes. You are the winch. More pulling power is needed due to the weight of the mud on the ATV and the suction of deep muck.

Because they weigh more, side-by-sides and UTVs require higher pulling power in the vicinity of 3000 lb. to 6000 lb. by 3000 lb. the smallest winch size. A 3500 lb. vehicle is advised for general riding in a two-seat side-by-side. to 4000 lb. winch.

WIDE SPOOL or REGULAR SPOOL

Regular winches and wide-spool winches are available in addition to pulling power ratings. The length of cable that fits on the winch drum is the only difference between the two. Wide spool winches are larger than conventional winches and may accommodate more cable feet. A wide spool winch differs from a conventional winch in that it has a distinct bolt pattern for attaching to a winch mounting plate due to its broader size.

A broad spool winch can also be too large for the mounting area on your specific ATV or side-by-side. Choose a winch mount plate that fits your ATV or side-by-side, and it will indicate whether or not the mount plate will fit a wide spool winch, if you decide you want the extra cable a wide spool winch can offer. In general, ATVs and side-by-sides placed within the vehicle rather than on an exterior bumper won't fit widest spool winches. You can always purchase cable extensions to use with your conventional winch, so don't worry.

SYNTHETIC or WIRE

On ATVs and side-by-sides, there are two different types of cables available. Both synthetic cable and metal wire cable have advantages and disadvantages. Metal wire cable has fewer strands, won't tear as readily, weighs more, needs gloves to touch, can store energy when stretched, and lasts the entire life of the winch. Stronger, floats in water, can be handled with bare hands, is more expensive, can fray with heavy use, and needs to be replaced after a number of years.

The vast majority of applications prefer synthetic cable over wire cable because of its many advantages. The only exception would be if you frequently winch and the wire drags across the surface or across objects. A synthetic cable may tear to the point of losing strength as a result of this. The incredible thing is that you can tie a knot in a synthetic cable that is broken and continue winching. A synthetic cable will typically not need to be replaced for many years, if ever.

SWITCH

Every winch has some sort of switch that operates the winch. The most typical type of rocker switch is one that is cabled. ATV winches frequently include a handlebar rocker switch in addition to a cabled rocker switch, and some winches even have a remote operated switch that enables you to control the winch from anywhere in the vicinity of the vehicle. A side-by-side dash mounted switch that enables simple control of the winch without the need to connect a different switch is another switch you might want as an extra.

If you prefer a different type or extra switch, each of these switches is also available as an accessory.

WINCH MOUNT PLATE

You must select a winch mount plate unique to your ATV or side-by-side after selecting your winch. To give a location to secure your winch to your vehicle, the winch mount plate is made to connect to the frame of your ATV or side-by-side. In extremely rare circumstances, your ATV or side-by-side may not need a mount plate since the winch mount is already integrated into the frame of your vehicle with the necessary spacing and bolt holes to mount a winch. An ATV or side-by-side that is "winch ready" is what this is.

If so, the winch mount plate will make note of it when you look at mount plates for your year, make, and model. A winch is frequently "pre-wired" into many ATVs and side-by-sides, which refers to wiring at the front of the vehicle that will supply power to help with the mounting of a winch to your ATV or side-by-side. That does not imply that a winch mount plate is not necessary. Most of the time, you will also need to order a winch mount plate.