$399 electric winch *or* is 8000 lbs really 8000 lbs?

[scotty]

i was lookin thru a friends "northern industries" catalog and they have an elcetric winch rated at 8000 lbs for $399.it is not any name brand or anything. i cannot figure out what makes one winch better or more desireable than another. they have several different winches in that rating,some have more reduction,some have higher rated motors,i am confused :confused:

is this winch like stereo equipment that you get what you pay for?for example,some companies rate amplifiers in peak instantaneous power,so it looks like the amp is alot stronger than it is-your 600 watt pyramid may only be 200 wats rms. so will this 8000 lb $399 winch pull 8000 lbs? it would e nice to have an electric winch on the front.what make a warn worth 3 times the price? im awfully happy with my pyramid amplifiers... ;)

ur thots?

[joe]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by scotty:
is this winch like stereo equipment that you get what you pay for?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yup, that's pretty much it. The money matters when you get to the quality/size if the windings, solenoids etc. Then you have the Warn 8274 where the gears run in an oil bath...
I've used the 8274's(or predecessor) for near 30 years now. I used to work in the woods and we'd use the winch alot for stucks, pulling boulders, trees from roads etc and evey couple of years when I got a new company rig I'd just move the winch to the next rig.
I've got an 8274 predecessor on my 73 truck and it's been there since new as has been the one on my 72 truck. I actually bought the 8274 that's on my CJ brand spanking new but it too will go to my next rig if I dump the CJ.
If you buy a good one you'll only need to buy one and it'll last ya a lifetime.

[64Trvlr]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by scotty:
they have an elcetric winch rated at 8000 lbs for $399.it is not any name brand or anything
is this winch like stereo equipment that you get what you pay for? so will this 8000 lb $399 winch pull 8000 lbs? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes you get what you pay for, I'd spend the money for a good name brand winch. If you don't want to but a new one then watch the ads for a good used one. I'm sure the winch will pull 8000 lbs. But I'm not sure how many times it will do it, or how long it will pull 8000 lbs. It's up to you if it's worth the money or not. I'm not the one who gets to walk home if it quits or worse yet have my buddies rag me about my cheap winch deal forever.
:cool:

[scotty]

thanx for the replies.the thing is that id prolly hardly ever use it anyway.ive got the pto winch to rescue frineds,and more often than not when you need to rescues yourself,its better to go back the way you came anyway.id prolly hardly ever use a front mounted winch.it would be nice for it to be there if i need to pull myself up a hill or over a big obstacle,but there is almost always another route up or around,or i could always pull myself up backwards ;) i also have some thots of adding a 2nd pto winch on the front,but id kinda rather have an electric one in case of a non-engine-running condition.

id prolly rather buy a used warn or old school industrial ramsey,was just kinda kickin ideas around smile.gif

hmmmm...

[Lindel]

Scotty, right now Leon Rosser Jeep (http://www.thinkjeep.com) is listing a Milemarker Electric 8000lb. winch for $399, so it is possible.

At least with this route, you get a brand name, and a know quanity in dealer and product.

[Jim Barbero]

I think the one in Northern is a remanufactured Ramsey winch if I remember my catalogs right.

Of course, my brain may be gone too....

[jeepbob]

There are all kinds of rumors about the Northern winch. I have a $300 Harbor freight 8000 lb winch which is an exact clone of the 8000REP Ramsey that my brother has. Even all the parts interchange. I have had it for 2 years but have only used it a couple times. It has work just fine and has a yearly renewable (for $34) unconditional warrenty, if it breaks they replace it, no questions asked. My brothers Ramsey broke and he had to buy the parts and he paid $650 for his. I usually don't need to use the winch because I don't wheel alone and I have a 6" x30' snatch strap but it is nice to have. The only thing I don't like is the fairlead and I will prolly buy a roller fairlead someday. I just saw a pix of the Milemarker winch and it is similar. The winch I have does not appear to be a rebuilt Ramsey but a clone. HF is usually cheaper than Northern and HF has free shipping.

[scotty]

hmmmmm. smile.gif jeepbob,where can i get a harbor freight catalog?

[Gladi8r]

Try here (http://www.harborfreight.com/) :D

[64Trvlr]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by scotty:
thanx for the replies.the thing is that id prolly hardly ever use it anyway.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sounds like you have your answer. Buy the cheap one and go have fun.
:cool:

[Slippery]

"A friend's" Northern catalog? "Where can I get a Harbor Freight catalog"? How have you lived this long without them? :eek:

[Jim Barbero]

Better question...How did you avoid getting 8 a month for this long? Of each smile.gif

[Slippery]

LMAO! :D

[Jeep Jeep]

Just think what you could do if you could have at least one of everything that Harbor Frieght sales. That would be an interesting thread. That is where I send the wife for B-days and X-mas with a sales add and my wish list.

[jeepbob]

I get about 10 HF cats a month and a northern Cat once and awhile and I have found most of the time HF is cheaper. With the few things I have I have this to say While thier stuff is not top quality, it has never let me down, and I feel that I have gotten more than my moneys worth. I used to have one of thier pick up hoists mounted in the back of a S15 pick up and actually changed several motors with it. I had a frame failure on the S15 when a 500 caddy motor and t400 got away from us but the hoist still is fine and going to be mounted in my F150 with a better style of mount.