New 12000lb Harbor freight winch
- Thread starter vixentd
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Here is a review of the quality winching products from Harbor Freight:
Massive Multi-Winch Shootout - Four Wheeler Magazine
failed out of the box.
Nothing but the best for $400!
oh, sorry, I just noticed the test was for the 9000lbs one (which was $499).......so the less expensive 12000lbs should be fine.
Guess it depends on what you use it for. After the level of service I received from Warn, I'm sticking with them. Granted, my winch cable somewhat failed after a couple of uses (connector to drum snapped but the cable held on and worked for another couple pulls still), but they stood behind their product and were great to deal with.
Massive Multi-Winch Shootout - Four Wheeler Magazine
failed out of the box.
Nothing but the best for $400!
oh, sorry, I just noticed the test was for the 9000lbs one (which was $499).......so the less expensive 12000lbs should be fine.
Guess it depends on what you use it for. After the level of service I received from Warn, I'm sticking with them. Granted, my winch cable somewhat failed after a couple of uses (connector to drum snapped but the cable held on and worked for another couple pulls still), but they stood behind their product and were great to deal with.
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Guess we know who sponsored it.
All but the Engo and T-max died after the testing.
All but the Engo and T-max died after the testing.
For the price im actually impressed with the Engo I have seen some talk on here about them but wrote them off as hype over yet another cheap crap winch. They may warrent more consideration when the time comes.
I have herd PTO's are best. 
I have herd PTO's are best.
Now would that be a PTO direct drive or PTO hydraulic?
I have herd PTO's are best.
Yeah, the pto's are probably the most over built 1,500kg/3300lbs factory rated winch out there
Yeah, the pto's are probably the most over built 1,500kg/3000lbs factory rated winch out there
Is that all they are rated for? My issue with PTO is when I'm in the mall and on my side....well you cant run the engine like that so no self righting.
From the winch wenches, I've heard one of the biggest drawbacks for a PTO winch is matching line speed with tire speed. It can get very frustrating not finding the right gear and driving over your winch line. And this info is from guys that do a lot of winching and really, really dislike electric winches, but may be forced to use them
Like Jeremy, I prefer being able to right my vehicle in a parking lot, when I flop it on a speed bump
Uh, oh... here comes the winch debate
Like Jeremy, I prefer being able to right my vehicle in a parking lot, when I flop it on a speed bump
Uh, oh... here comes the winch debate
The PTO instructions say to leave the t-case in neutral and let your winch pull you out. I guess only when that doesn't work you put it in gear, but that is not in the instructions. I don't think I have run over my line 'yet' with my PTO, but have with electrics when not paying attention.
Is that all they are rated for? My issue with PTO is when I'm in the mall and on my side....well you cant run the engine like that so no self righting.
The OEM PTO shear pin shears at 1.5 tons, but unlike an electric winch with 4.6 hp the PTO has 130 hp so it will pull quite a bit and all day before a u-joint breaks.
Oh yea my 13BT starts and runs great at 90 degrees - so speed bump flops are no problem -- don't ask why I know this...
So after reading 20+ pages of mostly positive reviews on this from fellow mudders I decided to pull the trigger on the 12K winch…
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/harbor-freight-winches.516009/
It was on sale last week for 299.99 and shipping was 6.99 to Point Roberts… I had to pay WA state tax, but thankfully the Canadian border guys had pity on me and waived me through… All in, I’m into this for 333 USD.
I’m assuming that HF is not into 4x4 philanthropy, so it boggles my mind that they can even sell this and make money at 299.99…
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/harbor-freight-winches.516009/
It was on sale last week for 299.99 and shipping was 6.99 to Point Roberts… I had to pay WA state tax, but thankfully the Canadian border guys had pity on me and waived me through… All in, I’m into this for 333 USD.
I’m assuming that HF is not into 4x4 philanthropy, so it boggles my mind that they can even sell this and make money at 299.99…
thats allot of winch for $300. hope it workes out. the packaging looks very similar to the 10000 superwinch i got from princess for $400.
as for pto or hydraulic, there is no contest. hydraulic wins all day. much more versatile. i know i'm going to regret the cheap electric but that how it rolls.
as for pto or hydraulic, there is no contest. hydraulic wins all day. much more versatile. i know i'm going to regret the cheap electric but that how it rolls.
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Take some time to make sure she's packed full of grease, electronics are weather protected etc before install. My limited experience with Chinese stuff is that it needs a little care and attention at the start to prolong its reliability.
I agree that it's crazy how HF can ship that thing for $6.99, it must weigh 60lbs with the cable!
I agree that it's crazy how HF can ship that thing for $6.99, it must weigh 60lbs with the cable!
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Yeah I had the reduction box apart to re-clock for a feet forward mounting... It was greased, nothing stood out of the ordinary... The control box has nice liquid tight connectors but the housing is kind of 
but it should ok.. It even comes with a circuit breaker, which is not something I was expecting in a $300 winch...
The weight is closer to 87 lbs I'll be using the engine hoist to install this puppy...
but it should ok.. It even comes with a circuit breaker, which is not something I was expecting in a $300 winch... The weight is closer to 87 lbs
I'll be using the engine hoist to install this puppy...you lazzy ass. my back is done mocking up the bumper and winch.
any way mine came with circuit breakers too but they are only add up to 150 amps. debating to use them or not. they may save the cheap motor but may also make the winch useless when you need it most.
any way mine came with circuit breakers too but they are only add up to 150 amps. debating to use them or not. they may save the cheap motor but may also make the winch useless when you need it most.
Yeah it's amazing how much your body starts to show its age after 40... 
I hadn't really had a close look at the CB but I think you have a good point as I'm sure the winch will draw a lot more than 150 amps under load... I'm not as concerned about protecting the motor as I am with having the +ve cable unfused and directly connected to the battery... I'm concerned that being a cheap cable it might wear or break down and short against the body... Might look into a heavy duty switch or solenoid so that I don't have power on the winch cable all the time...
I hadn't really had a close look at the CB but I think you have a good point as I'm sure the winch will draw a lot more than 150 amps under load... I'm not as concerned about protecting the motor as I am with having the +ve cable unfused and directly connected to the battery... I'm concerned that being a cheap cable it might wear or break down and short against the body... Might look into a heavy duty switch or solenoid so that I don't have power on the winch cable all the time...