I googled "Warn HS9500i" to learn more about it and the first result is "Brand New Warn HS9500i Winch Destroyed On First Pull." I guess there are lemons everywhere!
Anyone reccomend ENGo winches?
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That means nothing. Many things have been destroyed on the first use. The fact that the quality of these chinesium winches is poor can not be argued.
Buy yourself a used, American made , and rebuild it. You will benefit from the experience and be proud. Heck, it'll be a conversation piece.
I have tons of pulls on my engo 12k. It broke once due to metal cable winding up on one side and busting cage. Engo usa sent me all pieces for FREE. I didn't even buy from them. Amazing customer service.
Yes it was cheap. Might break soon but has paid for itself already. I've had 5 yrs!
Can't go wrong for the $. How many of us actually would be dead in water if it broke?? I only wheel with friends...who have winches. I don't live in the middle of the desert or nowhere. So I'd say for most the engo is a great option.
Yes it was cheap. Might break soon but has paid for itself already. I've had 5 yrs!
Can't go wrong for the $. How many of us actually would be dead in water if it broke?? I only wheel with friends...who have winches. I don't live in the middle of the desert or nowhere. So I'd say for most the engo is a great option.
Had Engo with synthetic, failed miserably, sold it still under warranty, got a Superwinch, awesome winch
I have an ENGO 10k. It failed on me once before because water got into the sealed unit. Luckily I had it replaced FOC.
Unfortunately, I went to use it yesterday and click, click, click. On top of that, I disengaged the motor, then went back to engage, and it was stuck. Not a huge pita but I had to remove the handle, then reposition it to turn the mechanism. Seems it would not get in the groove.
In any case, it doesn't work anymore ... again, and I am not willing to spend more money on cheap stuff.
I've had a warn int eh past and no issues so that's what I will likely get this time.
Unfortunately, I went to use it yesterday and click, click, click. On top of that, I disengaged the motor, then went back to engage, and it was stuck. Not a huge pita but I had to remove the handle, then reposition it to turn the mechanism. Seems it would not get in the groove.
In any case, it doesn't work anymore ... again, and I am not willing to spend more money on cheap stuff.
I've had a warn int eh past and no issues so that's what I will likely get this time.
USOffRoad
Supporting Vendor
We have sold hundreds of these with really no problems that I'm aware of. We sell all kinds of winches, Engo, Mean Mother, Warn, Viper and others... and the fail rate on all of them is so low it's hard to measure. It's usually in the contactor/solenoid box from water getting in there.
Personally, I like Mean Mother's approach.. since they and most others now, use sealed one piece solenoids it's best to just let the water in and out.. .MM has large holes in the bottom of their box, this way you don't have worry about everything corroding from water just sitting in there when the seals fail to keep water out...which most do not.
Personally, I like Mean Mother's approach.. since they and most others now, use sealed one piece solenoids it's best to just let the water in and out.. .MM has large holes in the bottom of their box, this way you don't have worry about everything corroding from water just sitting in there when the seals fail to keep water out...which most do not.
Well, this is twice now so I'm pretty much done with Engo. I might look into MM but for now, I think a replacement is on hold. I migh pull the trigger on the regear if I'm going to spend any $$
You can have a good winch if you buy and older U.S. made Warn and then overhaul it. Actually, there are Warn models still made in USA.
My engo, which was new in the box from the PO of An 80 I bought 4 years ago, sounded like a rock grinder and the brake bound up in about ten - 15 pulls.
JUNK!
My engo, which was new in the box from the PO of An 80 I bought 4 years ago, sounded like a rock grinder and the brake bound up in about ten - 15 pulls.
JUNK!
Any quick notes/links on where to buy an old Warn (I'm assuming ebay is an option)? Looking for a 10k at least. I'm just going to use the blue synth rope from this one.
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I bought mine on CL. It’s a2004 Warn HS9500i. It was lightly used and I paid $500. It’s silent compared to the Engo.
I managed to burn it up winching in deep snow without a snatch block. I took it apart, greased it up, and replaced the motor and solenoids. Now it’s basically new and I’m in $900. This included a new 125’ wire rope, which was the factory load.
A guy at the Warn service center in Redding, CA told me it’s very common for people to spend a grand overhauling there old Warn winch instead of buying a new one.
This is my favorite way to buy a winch. Craigslist. Got my 8274 for $300 10 years ago, there are still deals if you are patient. Needed a new plug/wiring for $30. Just got my M12000 last year for $500. Guy was asking $800, I offered 5 and waited a week, acted like I didn’t need it. He texted me to come get it one afternoon or he was going to sell it to the next guy in line. It also needs a new plug. When searching, search for misspellings-it’s amazing how many “warm wenches” there are out there
A tip about the M12000, there’s an old and new version. New version has higher hp motor.
Warn M12000 winch
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Cruiserdrew
On the way there
Agree. Tons of great Warns out there for small $. I've gotten 2 Warn 8274s off of Craigs list for $300ish. You just need to be patient. My only experience with a UCW (universal Chinese winch) was an immediate failure in a northern Nevada bog. My recommendation is to get a good winch, so that when you need it, it's steadfast.
The winter is the time to buy a winch. Lots of folks need $ and have no immediate use for a winch.
Buy a USA made Warn. Everything else is second best, or less. HF, Smittybuilt, Engo etc are the same poorly made stuff, from the lowest bottom feeder factory in the East. The only winch I bought new is a Warn M12,000 I bought in 2001. It still works great today, and still uses the original solenoid pack. Anybody have a UCW that's 15 years old and still works fine? Or has every part still available from someone they can call on the phone?
The winter is the time to buy a winch. Lots of folks need $ and have no immediate use for a winch.
Buy a USA made Warn. Everything else is second best, or less. HF, Smittybuilt, Engo etc are the same poorly made stuff, from the lowest bottom feeder factory in the East. The only winch I bought new is a Warn M12,000 I bought in 2001. It still works great today, and still uses the original solenoid pack. Anybody have a UCW that's 15 years old and still works fine? Or has every part still available from someone they can call on the phone?
USOffRoad
Supporting Vendor
We have updated our site with the new lineup of Warn winches as well and you can buy a VR10 (10k) winch for as little as $599
Warn Vehicle Recovery Winches
Or how about a Viper winch (we've been selling Viper for over 7 years) with synthetic for $409?
Viper Max Recovery Winch
View everything we carry here: Vehicle Winches
Warn Vehicle Recovery Winches
Or how about a Viper winch (we've been selling Viper for over 7 years) with synthetic for $409?
Viper Max Recovery Winch
View everything we carry here: Vehicle Winches
I shopped a lot for winches before I bought mine. Ended up with a Superwinch 10k exp. It's been awesome the few times I have used it which has been to pull stumps. It has a killer warranty and is priced between a Warn and the cheaper winches. Only downside is it's big. Had to relocated my tranny cooler to make it fit in my bumper.
