Highly impressed with my T-Maxx

slow91fj90 · 06-09-08, 10:00 AM

So my buddy calls me the other day and says a tree fell in his yard after a storm. Well I asked if it was the big one, he said yes. Well the pics dont show it well but this thing is huge. Long story short, the tree had limbs that snaped and were in the drive way. He said can we use your winch to pull the piece that is stuck in the tree down. I was ready, any excuse to fire that thing up. So its a T-Maxx 10k I bought from Summit a couple years ago, I have pulled out my roomates 3/4 ton Suburan a couple times, but this was truly the test. The pics dont due the tree justice, the limbs hanging down are over 24 inches thick, the base of the thing was 18 feet around, we had to measure for the tree estimate over the phone. Needless to say the winch dragged it right out with out a sweat. I definitely will stand by a T-Maxx any day.

stlcruiser · 06-09-08, 10:39 AM

Greetings:

What do you do to not harm the vehicle when pulling something like that? Ebrake, tranny in neutral, foot on brake, etc? Also, what damage can you do to the drivetrain if you don't take the proper precautions?

Thanks,

Steve
'94, 190,000

concretejungle · 06-09-08, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlcruiser

Greetings:

What do you do to not harm the vehicle when pulling something like that? Ebrake, tranny in neutral, foot on brake, etc? Also, what damage can you do to the drivetrain if you don't take the proper precautions?

Thanks,

Steve
'94, 190,000

in my learning, i have been taught to pull with the tranny in neutral and apply the brake. With the tranny in park, i believe there is a pin that can break.

slow91fj90 · 06-09-08, 11:38 AM

Yes truck in neutral, e-brake and foot on the brake pedal to the floor. With me ducking under steering wheel scared something might come flying.The truck actually was moving,(tires skidding) for a few feet before it came down.

Polak · 06-09-08, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by concretejungle

in my learning, i have been taught to pull with the tranny in neutral and apply the brake. With the tranny in park, i believe there is a pin that can break.

Very true, you're referring to the PARKING PAWL.

The pawl can be damaged even by the weight of the vehicle alone when parked on a slope. That's why it is highly recommended to use the parking brake on even slight grades.

Co-worker's wife had her Envoy parked in their driveway w/o the p-brake set. When she got back in to leave the tranny wouldn't come out of the PARK position. Several $$$'s later they had a new pawl and a very happy transmission repair man.

Miescha · 06-09-08, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlcruiser

Greetings:

What do you do to not harm the vehicle when pulling something like that? Ebrake, tranny in neutral, foot on brake, etc? Also, what damage can you do to the drivetrain if you don't take the proper precautions?

Thanks,

Steve
'94, 190,000

I recommend not using the winch at all under any circumstances. Think of it as cosmetic only - its just for looks when mounted on the front of your cruiser.

Seriously though, x2 on what everyone else said. Keep the tranny in neutral and your foot on the brakes. That way, the cruiser's brakes do the work (not your parking pawl) and if the cruiser starts to slide, you know you are really pulling hard.

Corbet · 06-09-08, 07:35 PM

although I have not removed any trees with mine, I'm also a very happy T-Max owner.

fj80toyman · 06-09-08, 08:01 PM

A quick look at Summit leads me to believe that they've rebadged the "T-Maxx" brand to Summit, is that true now? I haven't seen T-Maxx on there for awhile.

If not, where to get a T-Maxx these days? I seem to remember the price is pretty good for what you get. Same is true for Summit brand though.

Hilux · 06-09-08, 08:34 PM

What say Mud about a line lock?

and x2 on the TMaxx. I'm highly inquisitive when little side companies come out of the wood works with something they can't make....makes me wonder where they got it from..

It brings out the "Sears" in me. For those that don't know Sears has almost if not everything they sell under the Craftsman name made by other manufactures.

And Slow 91, not to burst yer bubble but call us back when yer but is in a sling hanging off a cliff and that branch puller is the only thing that's keeping you from being a ball of fire rolling down the mountain

concretejungle · 06-09-08, 08:37 PM

I"m happy with mine. I've had to use it once to pull me out of a rut. Didn't even slow down.

if i would have had lockers i wouldn't have had to pull cable

slow91fj90 · 06-10-08, 10:38 AM

FJ80Toyman, the Summit brand winch is a T-Maxx. When I bought mine I actually was in the Summit store in Ohio and was curious about their brand winch and saw it is a T-Maxx. They put a Summit sticker on the control box, thats it. Everywhere else on the winch says T-Maxx.

slow91fj90 · 06-10-08, 10:41 AM

Hilux,
what does this mean?

"And Slow 91, not to burst yer bubble but call us back when yer but is in a sling hanging off a cliff and that branch puller is the only thing that's keeping you from being a ball of fire rolling down the mountain

"

The whole story was just about using my winch that I am happy with.

Doc · 06-10-08, 10:55 AM

I've got the 12.5k lb T-maxx/summit and have been really happy with the way it's held up to a winters worth of Iowa salt. I've used mine a bunch of times to get out of some deep gooooooo and it hasn't let me down yet.

I did replace the wire rope with synthetic rope however, to lighten the load up front.

96r50 · 06-10-08, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hilux

What say Mud about a line lock?

I've been wondering about this myself. Seems like a good thing to have when winching. Anybody else?

NoMoreFires! · 06-10-08, 11:09 AM

Just so ya know, your rig can be a ball of fire, just sitting there in a field....it really doesnt have to be falling off a mountain of anything.

Hilux · 06-10-08, 03:02 PM

Just to clear the air here...

Electric winch's are to this day, IIRC, IMO, and 2MK still not rated for continues duty. I could go buy a Harbor Freight winch and do the same thing you did with that tree. And since it's a few and far between thing to do, and they're made to do it (once and a while, rare opportunity, not rated for continues, most people hardly ever use, blah) be tickled with the results from doing it. Does that mean a HF is a good winch? Will I or should I trust it in a life endangering moment?

I have no idea who makes that winch, or its quality, I'm just saying...

concretejungle · 06-10-08, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hilux

Just to clear the air here...

blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. . . . blah, blah.

blah, blah. blah blah blah..... blahlahahlablah blah. blah blahhhahaha blah.

fixed it for you

Hilux · 06-10-08, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by concretejungle

fixed it for you

Why do you love Harbor Freight winch's?

fzjconvert · 06-10-08, 03:50 PM

Another source for the Tmax

Tmax winch and winch accessories4pin diff carriers

06-09-08, 10:00 AM	#1
slow91fj90 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 286	Highly impressed with my T-Maxx So my buddy calls me the other day and says a tree fell in his yard after a storm. Well I asked if it was the big one, he said yes. Well the pics dont show it well but this thing is huge. Long story short, the tree had limbs that snaped and were in the drive way. He said can we use your winch to pull the piece that is stuck in the tree down. I was ready, any excuse to fire that thing up. So its a T-Maxx 10k I bought from Summit a couple years ago, I have pulled out my roomates 3/4 ton Suburan a couple times, but this was truly the test. The pics dont due the tree justice, the limbs hanging down are over 24 inches thick, the base of the thing was 18 feet around, we had to measure for the tree estimate over the phone. Needless to say the winch dragged it right out with out a sweat. I definitely will stand by a T-Maxx any day. Attached Images __________________ 91 FJ80, 3" OME, 33 PROCOMP MUD TERRAINS, ARB, GARMIN-V, 4:56'S, T-MAXX 10,OOO,NOT LOCKED,MOBILE AIR-CARD.

06-09-08, 10:39 AM	#2
stlcruiser IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St. Louis Area Posts: 141	Greetings: What do you do to not harm the vehicle when pulling something like that? Ebrake, tranny in neutral, foot on brake, etc? Also, what damage can you do to the drivetrain if you don't take the proper precautions? Thanks, Steve '94, 190,000 __________________ 94 FZJ80, Nitto Terra Grapplers 295's, Hanna sliders, CDL Switch, Lifted Spare, Slee front bumper, M12000 with incabin controls, Slee skid plate, OME springs/shocks, A-piller mounted aux temp gauge, Surepower dual battery system, Aux condensor cooling fan, 1500 watt inverter, hand throttle, CB.

06-09-08, 11:38 AM	#4
slow91fj90 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 286	Yes truck in neutral, e-brake and foot on the brake pedal to the floor. With me ducking under steering wheel scared something might come flying.The truck actually was moving,(tires skidding) for a few feet before it came down. __________________ 91 FJ80, 3" OME, 33 PROCOMP MUD TERRAINS, ARB, GARMIN-V, 4:56'S, T-MAXX 10,OOO,NOT LOCKED,MOBILE AIR-CARD.

06-09-08, 07:35 PM	#7
Corbet IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Durango, Colorado TLCA# 15340 Posts: 910	although I have not removed any trees with mine, I'm also a very happy T-Max owner. __________________ Rising Sun 4 Wheel Drive Club Member 1976 FJ40, A project with little progress. 1985 FJ60, SBC 350, Ranger Overdrive, OME, 33" MT/R, SafariGard bumper with T-max winch. 1997 FZJ80 40th Anniversary, locked and now on 33"s

06-09-08, 08:01 PM	#8
fj80toyman Cynical Optimist Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Torrance, Ca. TLCA# 15140 Posts: 526	A quick look at Summit leads me to believe that they've rebadged the "T-Maxx" brand to Summit, is that true now? I haven't seen T-Maxx on there for awhile. If not, where to get a T-Maxx these days? I seem to remember the price is pretty good for what you get. Same is true for Summit brand though. __________________ I'm Dan and I approve this message. (KG6AJV) 1995 FZJ80 Expedition rigged, blown, OME's, L/R 44gal spare tank, other stuff 1974 FJ40, F, 4MT, 33" BFG's, HFS 4" - 1994 Pickup, 3" body lift, otherwise stock

06-09-08, 08:34 PM	#9
Hilux IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: How's that working for ya? TLCA# 9h9-69 Posts: 1,027	What say Mud about a line lock? and x2 on the TMaxx. I'm highly inquisitive when little side companies come out of the wood works with something they can't make....makes me wonder where they got it from.. It brings out the "Sears" in me. For those that don't know Sears has almost if not everything they sell under the Craftsman name made by other manufactures. And Slow 91, not to burst yer bubble but call us back when yer but is in a sling hanging off a cliff and that branch puller is the only thing that's keeping you from being a ball of fire rolling down the mountain __________________ "Let me have a Diablo sandwich, a Dr.Pepper...and make it fast, I'm in a * hurry..." ... "You want sumpin?" "hush puppies daddy" "We got no time for that *!" Last edited by Hilux; 06-09-08 at 08:39 PM.*

06-09-08, 08:37 PM	#10
concretejungle IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: North Cadillac TLCA# 14646 Posts: 6,174	I"m happy with mine. I've had to use it once to pull me out of a rut. Didn't even slow down. if i would have had lockers i wouldn't have had to pull cable Attached Images __________________ 95' FZJ80 OME med./J lift, ARB rack, ARB Bull Bar w/tmax 12,500, 315 Nitto, stainless brake lines, Center Diff Lock, Sliders, IPOR Skid, IPOR rear bumper, upgraded slee sticker, custom dents, more to come. . . Remember it's a gateway drug, so it will actually lead to "crystal meh".

06-10-08, 10:38 AM	#11
slow91fj90 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 286	FJ80Toyman, the Summit brand winch is a T-Maxx. When I bought mine I actually was in the Summit store in Ohio and was curious about their brand winch and saw it is a T-Maxx. They put a Summit sticker on the control box, thats it. Everywhere else on the winch says T-Maxx. __________________ 91 FJ80, 3" OME, 33 PROCOMP MUD TERRAINS, ARB, GARMIN-V, 4:56'S, T-MAXX 10,OOO,NOT LOCKED,MOBILE AIR-CARD.

06-10-08, 10:41 AM	#12
slow91fj90 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 286	Hilux, what does this mean? "And Slow 91, not to burst yer bubble but call us back when yer but is in a sling hanging off a cliff and that branch puller is the only thing that's keeping you from being a ball of fire rolling down the mountain " The whole story was just about using my winch that I am happy with. __________________ 91 FJ80, 3" OME, 33 PROCOMP MUD TERRAINS, ARB, GARMIN-V, 4:56'S, T-MAXX 10,OOO,NOT LOCKED,MOBILE AIR-CARD.

06-10-08, 10:55 AM	#13
Doc Corn Eater Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Iowa TLCA# 17266 Posts: 4,566	I've got the 12.5k lb T-maxx/summit and have been really happy with the way it's held up to a winters worth of Iowa salt. I've used mine a bunch of times to get out of some deep gooooooo and it hasn't let me down yet. I did replace the wire rope with synthetic rope however, to lighten the load up front. __________________ Eric P. 1993 Landcruiser, 190K miles. Lifted, Locked, Slidered, Slee'd, Snork'd, Winched, bobbed. Daily driver. ROTW Tall Corn Cruisers- El Presidente.

06-10-08, 11:09 AM	#15
NoMoreFires! IH8MUD Junior Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbia, MO Posts: 123	Just so ya know, your rig can be a ball of fire, just sitting there in a field....it really doesnt have to be falling off a mountain of anything. __________________ Ryan Sieckmann 1997 Honda Odyssey EX (my beater) 2007 Chrysler Pacifica Touring AWD (baby momma mobile) Prev. 1994 FZJ80 Prev. 1995 Montero (prev on fire-vid here)

06-10-08, 03:02 PM	#16
Hilux IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: How's that working for ya? TLCA# 9h9-69 Posts: 1,027	Just to clear the air here... Electric winch's are to this day, IIRC, IMO, and 2MK still not rated for continues duty. I could go buy a Harbor Freight winch and do the same thing you did with that tree. And since it's a few and far between thing to do, and they're made to do it (once and a while, rare opportunity, not rated for continues, most people hardly ever use, blah) be tickled with the results from doing it. Does that mean a HF is a good winch? Will I or should I trust it in a life endangering moment? I have no idea who makes that winch, or its quality, I'm just saying... __________________ "Let me have a Diablo sandwich, a Dr.Pepper...and make it fast, I'm in a * hurry..." ... "You want sumpin?" "hush puppies daddy" "We got no time for that **!"

06-10-08, 03:50 PM	#19
fzjconvert IH8MUD Regular Join Date: May 2007 Location: Glendale, ? sometimes I don't rember... Posts: 204	Another source for the Tmax Tmax winch and winch accessories4pin diff carriers

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