Milemarker PS drive winch, opinons please

[Joe J-Truck]

Hey all,
I'm considering one of these Milemarker winches that operates with hydraulic power from the power steering system, anyone running this?
Thoughts?

[64Trvlr]

Hydraulic winches work really well unless your engine isn't running. Then an electric winch is the only way to go. I've never used a hydraulic winch but have had several PTO winches and they were great except when you couldn't get the engine started then they SUCK. I'll stick to an electric winch from now on.
:cool:

[ January 06, 2002: Message edited by: 64Trvlr ]

[joe]

Joe, the earlier MM's had a prob when you're pulling and a front wheel delects off a rock the winch would shut down. Don't know if that glitch has been addressed in the later models? Also they are slow but you can live with that...hell you're stuck anyway, what's the hurry now? smile.gif Newer ones can be had in 2 speed models but speed isn't a factor for me...getting the job done is. I've "heard" they're pretty tough on the PS pump too but don't really know.
I think if I were to run one I'd rig up a separate Vickers pump or even just a separate PS pump. Trouble is by the time ya went to that trouble ya could have bought an electric winch that'll work even in a mud bog and a swamped/dead engine. I REALLY like the idea of a hyd winch but I'm just not convinced MM is the way to go. Love to have a hyd winch off a tow truck though smile.gif

[Erix Jeep]

Peterson's 4wd did a winch shootout last year with the MM and a couple of electric winches. The MM burned up the original PS pump, and a replacement pump. After adding in a PS cooler on the second replacement pump it didn't burn that one up.

The electric winches were faster, and able to be used without the engine. The advantage that the MM had was that on a long pull, it didn't have to stop to cool.

I originally thought of the MM too, but after reading that article decided that an electric was the only way to go. smile.gif

[Stew Mobile]

While on the electric/hydraulic debate.
How long can you winch using an electric winch, with a decent reserve battery (850-1000) and the engine not running?

[ January 06, 2002: Message edited by: Stew Mobile ]

[joe]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Stew Mobile:
While on the electric/hydraulic debate.
How long can you winch using an electric winch, with a decent reserve battery (850-1000) and the engine not running?

[ January 06, 2002: Message edited by: Stew Mobile ]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Too many variables play a part in how hard the winch is working.
Slope/rocks/mud/sand/snow/seriousness of stuck/rig weight/using snatch block or not/brand-quality of winch/battery etc...
Basically if you plan to use the winch hard dual batteries is the only way to go.

[Joe J-Truck]

Can anyone recommend a quality winch they have owned/used/have experience with? I'm concerned about power, tuffness, speed, cable length, and value.

[64Trvlr]

I've had several Warn 8274's and they are hard to beat. It's an 8000 lb gear drive winch with 150' of cable and almost unbreakable. I also have had Warn 12,000 lb winch on my 1 ton and a Warn 9000 i also. With winches you get what you pay for and if you really need it and it won't do the job it's a long walk home. Also if you go with an electric winch be sure and upgrade to dual batteries with an isolator.
:cool: