WINCH QUESTION
 

I have a 2006 Dodge 2500 Mega Cab. I'm looking at getting a good winch to mount on Ranch Hand. Truck is gonna have 35" mudders and the winch application will mainly be for getting "un-stuck" while muddin. What poundage would I need and what are some good brands?

your best bet without a dought would be a hydrolic drive from the PTO off the tranny, I once had a milemarker 12k hydrolic PTO and it was great

I once had a 12k warn electric and it was a POS, I also had a 8k warn and it was better than the 12k

Also hydraulic!
Current consumption of an electric winch is way to high according to the truck weight.
Another thing is extrem less heat development and long term ability to use it. An electric winch has to have a cool off period.

Minimum pull capacity for your winch is truck weight x 1.5! Have in mind that you have to add load and fuel to the weight.

The following pull strength is needed:

- Mud up to the axle: Vehicle weight
- Tire completely burried in mud: vehicle weight x 2 (!)
- Mud up to the truck bed: vehicle weight x 3(!)

Inclination does also play a role:

(vehicle weight : 60) x angle of inclination in degree

example: a inclination of 40° adds another 66% to the total weight.

I hope these formulas give you an idea what to choose.

As far as electric to hydro debate, I have only ran electric so I won't get into it. Just remember that a hydro winch will only work if the engine is running, same with PTO. This could be an issue if you hydro-lock.

Now, the bare minimum capacity of your winch should be 1.5x the weight you are pulling. My Land Cruiser (for example) weighs just shy of 6k lbs loaded for wheeling. That means in need at least a 9k lb winch.

OK I like the MILEMARKER hydrolic, But I've been told by people that had them, that their power steering pump has broken:humm:

With block n tackle you can also double and even triple the pulling ratio of these winches.

I don't know about Texas mud, but I know this old river bottom goo we have around me, if you get stuck and dug in with one a these trucks, you better have the 20 ton winch ready to roll and hope you don't rip the truck apart gettin it out.

Oh, that reminds me. We usually don't run hydro winches because we usually are running full hydro or hydro assist steering. I know that doesn't help you in your case, I just wanted to give you a glimps of where my experience is coming from.

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What is the formula for both axles sandwiched between rocks? :moon:

I'm just playin', those are good formulas to have. Personally, we very rarely use a winch. Most of the time a good kinetic strap is faster, easier and safer... Unless it's a roll over. But you gotta remember, I don't wheel in mud unless it's in between the rocks I'm climbing!

Lol, I have taken these numbers out of a TM.
I guess I never have seen so many formulas. I'm pretty sure they have one for rocks! :D

If both of your axles are sandwiched between rocks it's time for wiskey on the rocks- seriously.

Power steering pumps that brake apart? These pumps deliver more than 1200psi - constantly!

Re: WINCH QUESTION
 

Man, I've been sandwiched between 2 rocks like that more times than I care to remember...

As for the steering pumps, I can't say about the one in my Dodge. However, I have seen pumps explode in wheeling rigs running hydro steering so I would imagine it would be possible running a hydro winch. Again, not sure because I've never even wheeled with a rig running one.

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another great hydrolic winch is made by Braden......most of the wrecker service uses them

I know the NV4500 has a PTO cover on the side of the tranny and the NV5600 has two covers one on each side

I have a Warn 16.5 and have used it several times. The only time that that it performed less that I expected is when my 8 year old factory batteries were unable to provide the current to run it properly.

Replace the batteries with Sears Die Hard Platinums and she runs like a charm. PTO winches need engine running to operate and electric winches need batteries in excellent condition. A 136 amp alternator will not run a Warn 16.5 with any kind of significant load on it. Pick your poison and learn how to keep it running and you will more than likely be happy with your choice.

I have used electric, hydroilc power stering and of pto. It depends how much you use and what you do with. a 8000pound will get you out of bad spot if you have enough line and tackel with snatch blocks. but my pto winch cost 4500dol. so if you dont use much electric is cheppest. but i agree that mile marker is a good in between winch. just remember that hydrolic does not work if truck is not runing. I carry a warn 12000pd on reciver for emergencies with long cords, and i can use on my truck or inocent bystander to get me out. just never expect to winch the full cable at with load without beer break.

for a 1 ton truck you should have at least a 12,000 lb winch... I have a ramsey re 12,000 and it has pulled my Expedition out of many a ditch or mud hole... I even used it once to pull a semi out of a snow bank..

And to add that if your batteries are not fully charged you will need the engine running for an electric winch as well.... otherwise you will kill the batteries and the winch...

all of the winches have a plus and bad side... just figure out what your needing it for and how you plan on using it and go from there...

I second the hydrolic winch. Yes if your engine cuts off it wont work, but if your engine cuts off your time is limited with an electric winch also. An electric winch has a habit of crapping out at the worst times. With that said, I have an electric winch on my hunting truck and the trailer. :D

This is a chart I have had for a long time, It is a VERY good reference for how much pulling power you need to pull out a stuck truck. It will also show you how easy it is to blow right by the rated working limits of alot of your recovery gear.

Attachment 43613
Attachment 43614

Excellent! :nice:
I will put this flow chart in the lid of my recovery chest. A nice reference list.

Ive never used a hydraulic winch so i cant chime in on that debate, but if you go electric i cant say enough about the Warn 16.5ti. My buddy/business partner has one on his F-250 and its never given us a problem. We had a feed truck get stuck after it rained and our tractors were all either tore up or somewhere else, and we winched it out with his winch. The biggest thing is keep it cool, the truck was heavy so we would winch for a minute then let it cool for a minute.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._5392007_n.jpg

It doesnt really look like it but the ground slopes downhill, and it had been raining for days so the ground was sloppy. That truck couldnt move on its own at all. We had to chock the tires on his truck so it wouldnt slide when we pulled and the back tires would lift off the ground a little. But it did the job.

I just saw in Diesel Power magazine that warn has come out with a new winch for the big boys... 25,000 lb winch with synthetic cable... the cable is still about 1.5 inches round.....

ive got the warn 15k on my truck and the few times ive used it its worked great...mind u the times ive used it i was just draging stuff around or lifting things.

I've got a warn 12,000 electric winch and love it too. I need a better front bumper to hide it behind. Another project for another day.

the new WARN sounds useful,but we would never use the synthetic rope for anything other than show.especially on an electric winch where the heat can build up to a point that the 'plastic string' becomes brittle and weak.i doubt WARN would put any of the crap synth stuff on thier new baby,but an inch a half is a huge rope! i guess it must squash down on the drum?
if your going to work it hydraulic with steel rope.just like the military.

for something thats easy to use and proven,the warn 16.5 winch.