For anyone interested in an inexpensive winch, http://www.harborfreight.com has a 9000 lb winch for $299.99, part # 40764-ORDH. I can't vouch for it's performance or quality (I just happened to see it in a catalog today), but it looks a heckuva lot like my Mile Marker 9000 lb winch.

We have used this winch on my son's Jeep for over a year now. Narry a problem. A great value.

We have used this wench on my son's Jeep for over a year now. Narry a problem. A great value.

I'll bet she is a great value :D :D :D :D

May have to look into it. We have a harborfreight in Ft Collins.

Tim

They must be selling well because the 9000 is up to $399 and the 8000 is at $299. But it has a different item number.
Still a good bargin. My cousin is looking for a cheap priced winch for his 4x4 Ranger. Seeing that Al says it seems to work pretty good I will recommend it to him. I just ordered their catalog.

Yea, if it has narry a problem, I would suggest it also. :p

Just MO, but I did/would save up for a Warn over a $400 no-name............but that is just me.

Yea, if it has narry a problem, I would suggest it also. :p

Just MO, but I did/would save up for a Warn over a $400 no-name............but that is just me.

I reckon the difference is some of us actually use it and not just talk about it.

I've heard issues with the Harbor freight on hard pulls & easy pulls. I've heard that they've gone up after 2 easy pulls. Incidentally the ones made for Harbor Freight are produced by Chicago Electric. I know someone with a Milemarker 12k that got hosed.. After the 3rd pull, it crapped out on him. It was a hard pull on a steep hill in a rock garden but still, it shouldn't have crapped out that early.. I say save your money and invest in something worth while.. You see most rigs with Warns, I wonder why? :rolleyes:

Some of us just want something for that ocassional needed tug.
My Son has a Pull-Pag and some pewag chains for the heavy snow he encounters while hunting up state and sneaking thru to Canada. And of course a WARN winch.
You are right about buying the best but we just can't afford it. LOL.

I reckon the difference is some of us actually use it and not just talk about it.


i guess you completely disregarded the smilie he put in there.... :rolleyes:

as far as the winch, i've heard bad stories about them and good stories. never used one of those myself.
if you ever see the "magnum" brand, i believe those are rebadged warn M series winches and are usually had for good prices too.

never used one of those myself.

I have.

I reckon the difference is some of us actually use it and not just talk about it.
Yep, you are very correct. I don't know a single person with a "Chicago Electric" or any other no-name winch. Everyone I know owns a repetable brand of winch, so I have no personal experience with the cheap crap. As I stated (MO=my opinion), I, personally did and would, save the money and purchase a winch with actual real world positive reviews about it, rather than take my chances spending a chunk of my hard earned money on one with no reviews at all. Media like "Consumer Reports" exist for a reason.

Do you ever use your truck offroad, or just talk about it?

The HF unit works well with a Fortress anchor in getting the swamp buggy out of jams too.

I have.

yeah i caught that from your other post. i also know you use synthetic fluids. but i'll give you a cookie for reminding me if i ever see you in person.

what's with the wise cracks al? because robb's truck is a build in progress means he doesn't know anything about winches? whatever personal thing you have against him needs to be taken care of in PMs.

Do you ever use your truck offroad, or just talk about it?
Do you ever act like an adult, or just pretend to be one on the internet?

You will see (if you can read, because it is obvious you can't spell) in my posts, that I make no reference to actually using my winch, or my truck at all. My truck is on hold until the other priorities, like having a baby, are all worked out. My posts pointed towards experience using people that I know's winches. I go on wheelin' trips often, yet less now with a preggo around, and have quite a history and experience with using winches.

An Explorer is also a little different than a Heep. They are a lot heavier, and would have more drag requiring a higher quality winch. If you wanted a cheap winch for looks, and to maybe pull you out on the rare time you got stuck this would be ok. If you wanted a winch that would be used frequently, or in rough situations, I would save up.

Sounds like that could be a good add on for your Zuk Jeff, or do you have one already.

As for the winch theroy. This would be a good cheap winch for the occasionaly tug for a stock/mild off roader, but if you were hard core then i'd be with the crowd that says stick with the name brand that make these winches for a livin.

Just to throw in an additional thought or two...

My son works at a 4x4 shop that is also a Warn regional repair center. They get to do warranty work on a lot of winches - most Warn, but some others as well.

Based on what he tells me:

1. Warn is probably the best winch for the money out there. They have the strongest internal parts, and are well made.

2. The Magnum is NOT simply a re-badged Warn - the quality of internal parts, the horsepower of the motor and the drive system are all on a par with other brands that cost less money.

3. ALL winches break - need service - fail - etc. I can get pictures of the torn up 12,000 pound Warn winches laying on his workbench if you like...

4. The HF winch (we have experience with the 8000) is basically a re-badged Mile Marker - and they appear to all be made in the same plant - but with imports that appear to be re-badging of name brand items, it can be difficult to really tell without doing detailed and accurate measurements. They DO work - and you can get an extended warranty that offers 2 years replacement for $20.

I am going to purchase a HF winch based on my useage and the availability of funds. I have seen them work - they pull slowly compared to a Warn - but they pull - and that is all I am concerned about.

The upshot is - if you have the money - get the best. Get Snap-On tools - Synthetic oil - Warn winches - whatever turns you on. If you are a professional - use professional stuff, but if you are a hobbiest, and funds are limited, why not try something in a lesser line that still allows you to have fun. Use Craftsman or bargain tools - regular oil - and HF winches. It's your call...

2. The Magnum is NOT simply a re-badged Warn - the quality of internal parts, the horsepower of the motor and the drive system are all on a par with other brands that cost less money.


good to know. i don't know where i saw it otherwise but i remember someone saying they were the same.

i'll give you a cookie for reminding me if i ever see you in person. .

I am often up in your neck of the woods... what kind of cookie?

By the way, what winch do you use?

Thanks

The one on my Explorer is a Warn HS9500.

Sounds like that could be a good add on for your Zuk Jeff, or do you have one already.

As for the winch theroy. This would be a good cheap winch for the occasionaly tug for a stock/mild off roader, but if you were hard core then i'd be with the crowd that says stick with the name brand that make these winches for a livin.


I have a Mile Marker 9000lb on the front of the Sammy. It's been great so far. Only problem is that I couldn't pull Ben (Blee1099) off of the rocks he got hung up on because the Sammy doesn't weigh enough. Hooked up, hit the winch, and jsut slid the Sammy across the ground with Spas pushing on the brakes for all she was worth! :D

For those bitching about the "off brand winch"...if you don't want it, don't get it!! I just put this here in case someone was interested, not to have people bitch about it or bitch at each other. Get over it and grow up! :fire:

I have a Mile Marker 9000lb on the front of the Sammy. It's been great so far. Only problem is that I couldn't pull Ben (Blee1099) off of the rocks he got hung up on because the Sammy doesn't weigh enough. Hooked up, hit the winch, and jsut slid the Sammy across the ground with Spas pushing on the brakes for all she was worth! :D

For those bitching about the "off brand winch"...if you don't want it, don't get it!! I just put this here in case someone was interested, not to have people bitch about it or bitch at each other. Get over it and grow up! :fire:
I remember that foolish thing I did on those rocks. Nothing like watching in your rear view mirror the zuki getting closer to you but your still stuck on the rocks.

Well I have owned Warns in the past. I may just look into one of those again. You can get warns cheaper if you look. 4wheel parts has 8000# for $600. with accessories. Less than I payed for my 6000# in 1987

Tim

Just purchased the Harbor Freight. Bolted it onto the tractors drawbar though :) Used it all day long pulling heavy logs across, and up a big ravine. No problems except for snapping the chain the tractor was tethered to a tree with. Pulled several 100 footers up a pretty steep hill. It didn't even heat up like I thought it would. It isn't very fast, but it didn't hesitate.

It didn't even heat up like I thought it would. It isn't very fast, but it didn't hesitate.

Thanks for the review! That is helpful information for those of us that are contemplating purchase of this item.

In the new offroad adventures, 4WP has Mile Marker 9k lb winch for 463$ and the 12k lb winch is 570$ Each has a 2 year warranty.

Not as cheap, but still a good price.

The Harbor Freight offers a warranty for 30 foe 2 years I believe. The come with a satisfaction gaurantee/warranty for 30 days. If within the 30 days you decide you want the warranty, you just take the reciept back and buy it. This weekend it will get a bigger test. We will have better tether and choker stuff.

anybody had experience with milemarkers??(hyradulic or electric)

My Mile Marker 9000lb electric works fine. Haven't had to use it much, but it has worked. Worst problem I ran into was that the Sammy isn't heavy enough to pull a stuck X out with the winch. Sammy just sliiiiiddddeeess across the ground :rolleyes:.

anybody had experience with milemarkers??(hyradulic or electric)


Kampy on here ran a hydro milemarker. Watched it work a few times, it worked well. Only problem is, if your engine is off, the winch won't work. It runs of the PS pump.