Inexpensive Winch

[O1SalsaX]

Does anyone have this winch? I was doing some research and I came across this. I can deal with the fact that its pretty damn slow, but it looks kinda like the Ramsey REP 8000, or the Electric MileMarker winch. It looks like it should bolt directly to an ARB (seperate solenoid). I ws thinking with the money I save buying this, I'd buy some synthetic (or nylon) cable, instead of the steel cable. I figured that if this thing blew up while winch, it wouldnt cause AS much damage with the nylon cable.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.


Really cheap winch

ramsey REP8000

Milemarker Electric

[Toy Man]

I was thinking with the money I save buying this, I'd buy some synthetic (or nylon) cable

Just an aside - when I was talking with Emil of
Master-Pull this summer, he mentioned that
he recommended using a hause fairlead with his
ropes instead of a roller fairlead. He felt that
a roller fairlead could pinch the rope in the
corners and that the rope was so much easier
on the fairlead that rollers were not needed.

The only drawbacks to using Master-Pull
type ropes/lines are cost and the fact
they can melt if the winch brake overheats.
(assuming the brake is inside the drum)

Toy Man

[ScottG]

Take a look at my post in "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly." I would stay away from any electric winch that doesn't have a series wound motor. If you want to save money, I would go with the Warn M8000 before buying a winch with a permanent magnetic motor like the Ramsey REP8000. I've seen the M8000 for around $450 with the hause fairlead.

[OffroadX]

Just did some online research, and from what I've seen, a series wound motor is definitely the right application for a winch.

Permanent magnet DC motors:
•Rapid overheat ⇒ not suitable for continuous operation

Series wound DC motors:
•High torque but imprecise speed control
•Ideal for traction work requiring veryhigh starting torques


In a permanent magnet motor, the stator uses permanent magnets. In series-wound motors, this magnetic field is induced by electricity flowing though field coils in the stator. Permanent magnet motors require less current than series-wound motors because of this. Permanent magnet motors have a shorter duty cycle and are more easily damaged by overheating them, but they can be built for lower cost and less weight than a comparable series-wound motor.
In practice, this means that permanent magnet motors are used in light- and medium-duty winches, where winching time and load can be carefully monitored to prevent overheating, and series-wound motors are used in heavy duty winches

[ScottG]

Originally posted by ScottG
I've seen the M8000 for around $450 with the hause fairlead.

Maybe it was $550. I can't seem to find it for $450 now. OK 4WD has it for $589, plus another $50 off with a rebate.

[O1SalsaX]

Thanks Scott G. That totally answered my question. I think I am going to spend the xtra few bucks to get a series wound motor. The new milemarker is has a permanent motor much like the REP 8000. I have a lot of research ahead of me..

[O1SalsaX]

I found this website. They are supposedly Milemarker winches, but why are they so cheap? Are they always that cheap? If thats the case, I'll pick up a 12,000lb. hydraulic winch..
milemarkers for cheap

Anyone running a hydraulic winch on their X? Any problems with
the power steering after install/use??

I also found this company uloading the new electric milemarker winch fr $350 each plus shipping..



L8relectric milemarker for REALLY cheap

Any info would be greatly appreciated.
L8r

[OffroadX]

That's a hell of a price on the electric MileMarker, best I've seen is $450 including shipping at stevestractor.com

As for the hydraulic winches, be aware that there are 2 styles for each load rating, the 70-series and the 75-series. The 70-series is much cheaper and is power-in only, you have to drag the line out and it ain't easy since there's no true free-spool with a hydro winch. HOWEVER, the 70-series requires an additional $290 valve adapter kit, making the cost close to the 75-series which includes most of the stuff in the kit and also has power-out feature. The valve adapter kit for the 75-series is only $52.

Also note that you'll never see full rated load capactity from a Milemarker hydro winch with your stock power steering pump. It simply doesn't put out enough pressure (1500 psi) for the winch to put out max power, our pump is rated at 1100-1200 psi under load at idle. Not sure how much of a loss in power that equates to for the winch.

Kennedy (SEXterra) here has a Milemarker hydro winch, I'm sure he'll chime in.

Brent

[O1SalsaX]

I just got off the phone wth them Shipping from florida
to new york will be $40!! For a grand total of $375!!! To my door..
I will be picking it up by friday.
I'm also tossing around the idea of fabricating or buying a front mount hitch and gettng a cradle for the winch so I can mount it in the front or back of the truck for recoveries.
I already have an ARB, I dont want to permanently mount the winch up front, Any ideas? Anyone?
Thanx

[OffroadX]

Good luck with that puppy, a guy on NOR recently bought one and it performed well on his first run with it, but crapped out before he even put a load on it on the second run yesterday. Not yet sure what happened.

Just for future reference after that Ebay auction is gone, the $335 Milemarker electric was offered by nationaloffroad.com

Brent

[ScottG]

I would be scared to buy it. I believe it's another permanent magnetic winch just like the Harbor Freight/Chicago Electric model I had. Good luck, and let us know how it works. I'm all for saving money, but I learned my lesson with respect to buying winches. The experience Brent described sounds about like the experience I had. My next winch will be something high dollar.

[O1SalsaX]

I spoke with National Offroad last night regarding the reliability of this winch and the warranty.
He said that they have sold Hundreds since the winch was released, and they have received NO Complaints or warranty repairs..
He said that even if I fry the motor it is covered under warranty for two years.
With that being said, I'm stil going to take my chances.
If It saves my ass once then it paid for itself, at that price..
Thanx for all the info..
L8r
l

[Schludwiller]

Originally posted by O1SalsaX
I spoke with National Offroad last night regarding the reliability of this winch and the warranty.
He said that they have sold Hundreds since the winch was released, and they have received NO Complaints or warranty repairs..
He said that even if I fry the motor it is covered under warranty for two years.
With that being said, I'm stil going to take my chances.
If It saves my ass once then it paid for itself, at that price..
Thanx for all the info..
L8r
l

Just my way at looking at offroading equipment....If it fails you once, then it's not worth the money you saved. I guess that's because whenever I've used my winch it was to save my truck from major damage, and/or to cover my ass from a potential rollover. Was it Apollo 13 where the actors before they blasted off said "you realise this rocket was built by the lowest bidder". (or maybe it was that Asteroid movie with Bruce Willis. )

BTW, I don't trust the word of salespeople about the reliability of stuff they are trying to sell you. You might want to check around on the offroading boards (Jeepers, etc) to see what real world experience is with the winch.