Harbor Freight Winches

[vilasman]

I guess every one here knows that Harbor freight had a parking lot sale this weekend (3/7-9/2013) . After reading this thread I feel confident about getting the HF winch if it is the best buy that I can find when I am ready to make the purchase.
I have 2 questions. As I forsee things my main to uses for my winch will be to pull myself or others when they get stuck in the snow... I dont anticipate doing much mudding and for pulling downed trees out of the bushes so I can cut them up for firewood and streching fence on my farm. There also a slight chance that I will need to pull some cable through conduit... I am an electrician.
First question is... would you get the 9000lb winch or the 12,000. I am not really in a hurry to get the winch and may catch the 12,000 on sale for close to the 9000.
2nd question is would you trust the harbor freight hitch reciever mount with the 12000 lb winch? I have the hitch receiver thing in the picture and I imagine that with some creative welding I could come up with something that is stronger than the HF piece.
I would mount a hitch receiver to the front on my cruiser so that I could pull stuff from either end.

 

[lilevo]

The 12K winch is significantly bigger than the 9K. I usually buy the "biggest and best" model, but the rope on the 12K was just way too big.

With that said, I have it mounted on my trailer and was quite impressed by what it could do.

It pulled a civic straight up the ramps with all four wheels locked up no problems.

Video: http://lilevo.com/cars/winchcivic.3gp

If you haven't seen them in person, go to a HF store and actually look and compare the two models.

 

[Brake Weight]

It's been a while since I was in HF, but I remember the 12k and the next size down being the exact same size externally. Just a heavier motor and bigger cable.

 

[lilevo]

No its a littler bigger.

 

[Brake Weight]

Weird.









The pictures aren't the best, but the pdf manual shows them the same size. Just the 12k is heavier.

 

[JamesR]

The wire rope is really stiff, as previously mentioned. I have a Warn 12k lb on a 40 and its wire rope has a smaller diameter. Does anyone know, or where would a good source to find out, what size wire rope would be a good replacement for a HF 12k

73, James - KF4AQO Sent from my iPad using IH8MUD

 

[TYM4FUN]

Badland winch installed, and it looks great. I'm very glad I got to save some Benjamin's with this purchase!!

 

[Southeast Overland]

The wire rope is really stiff, as previously mentioned. I have a Warn 12k lb on a 40 and its wire rope has a smaller diameter. Does anyone know, or where would a good source to find out, what size wire rope would be a good replacement for a HF 12k

73, James - KF4AQO Sent from my iPad using IH8MUD

James - if sticking with wire don't go smaller than 3/8". As a comparison the synthetic line we sell is stronger by a bit and for a 12k winch we sell 3/8" and even some 7/16".

 

[Living in the Past]

Here is it mounted to a ARB on a FJ62. Not as clean as on the 80 series. Looking for a way to add a licence plate bracket to cover the other opening for fair head.

 

[BamaPaul]

Looks good to me, like it was meant to be there.

 

[JamesR]

Here's a photo of my set up.

73, James - KF4AQO Sent from my iPad using IH8MUD

 

[TYM4FUN]

Harbor Freight wireless winch controller on sale for $19.99.

http://www.harborfreight.com/Wireless-Winch-Remote-Control-69229.html?ccdenc=eyJjb2RlIjoiMzgzNDI3NzgiLCJza3UiOiI2OTIyOSIsImlzIjoiMTkuOTkiLCJwcm9kdWN0X2lk%0D%0AIjoiODg2MyJ9%0D%0A&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1213a2&utm_source=1030

 

[shack]

Harbor Freight wireless winch controller on sale for $19.99.

http://www.harborfreight.com/Wireless-Winch-Remote-Control-69229.html?ccdenc=eyJjb2RlIjoiMzgzNDI3NzgiLCJza3UiOiI2OTIyOSIsImlzIjoiMTkuOTkiLCJwcm9kdWN0X2lk%0D%0AIjoiODg2MyJ9%0D%0A&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1213a2&utm_source=1030

Any idea on how long the cable is that shoots off that little box? Trying to picture mounting this somewhere.

 

[lilevo]

about 23"

It only takes a second to plug in so I always remove mine and stick it in the center console or something.

 

[mjl132]

An updated coupon for the 12k good until 7/10/13.

Where did you get the coupon out of? What magazine or publication?

 

[TYM4FUN]

Where did you get the coupon out of? What magazine or publication?

Just go to their website and it should show up automatically. I purchased mine on their website and they only charge $7 dollars for shipping!

 

[woody]

The test for ME is how it works after a winter in WI...but thus far, I've been impressed with it...especially for the price.

Update on mine:

Installed the Badlands 12k in April 2011. Most times, I use my winch once every other event (so, 8 or so times a year). Thus far, other than a controller connection issue at GSMTR 2011, it's worked flawlessly.

I needed it this past week while at the RoundUp in TX...I had not touched the winch since I used it in Hot Springs AR in October 2012. It worked perfectly, and drug my FZJ80 towards a wedged Jeep TJ...haha We finally used a hi-lift to jack the front end up (busted axle) and winched 'er free.

The chrome finish on the lever isn't pretty anymore (rust) but everything else is in fine condition. Despite TWO Wisconsin salt-encrusted winters...

I still have the original finicky controller. The In and Out button now sticks (ie: stays toggled) so it needs to come apart for some cleaning. Considering the lack of maintenance thus far, I'm not complaining.

 

[80t0ylc]

Update on mine:

Installed the Badlands 12k in April 2011. Most times, I use my winch once every other event (so, 8 or so times a year). Thus far, other than a controller connection issue at GSMTR 2011, it's worked flawlessly.

I needed it this past week while at the RoundUp in TX...I had not touched the winch since I used it in Hot Springs AR in October 2012. It worked perfectly, and drug my FZJ80 towards a wedged Jeep TJ...haha We finally used a hi-lift to jack the front end up (busted axle) and winched 'er free.

The chrome finish on the lever isn't pretty anymore (rust) but everything else is in fine condition. Despite TWO Wisconsin salt-encrusted winters...

I still have the original finicky controller. The In and Out button now sticks (ie: stays toggled) so it needs to come apart for some cleaning. Considering the lack of maintenance thus far, I'm not complaining.

Thanks for keeping us posted, Woody! With a coupon that I learned about in this thread, I got a wireless controller for $20. Have not tried it yet, but you might give it a go at least as a back up.

 

[bamabrock]

I used the $299 coupon that was in fourwheeler magazine and got the wireless remote for $19
I caved in today.

 

[nmt252355]

my Badlands winch set-up on my Fj62