A Buyer’s Guide of Hand Winches: An Important Tool for Home Garage

Written by Posted On Friday, 17 August 2018 06:15

Hand winches are relatively simple machines, yet they are some of the most powerful tools that you can have in your arsenal. While winches aren’t expensive, finding the right one is important because it has to perform when you need it. Whether you’re off-roading or spending a day out on a sea or lake, having a UTV winch that works for you can be the difference between a successful weekend and a miserable one. Here are a few things that you need to look at before you buy your next tirfor winch.

What type of work do you want the winch to do

First, before you even start looking at winches you have to ask yourself what type of work that you want the winch to do. Griphoists work well to both lift and pull objects, but usually are only designed to do one job really well. Most can work well in a pinch, but if you’re working construction and the job is going to rely on lifting up some scaffolding you don’t want to be relying on a winch built for performance off-roading, even if it is top of the line. Find a winch that is going to work well for the job you want it to do.

On top of this, not every type of winch is able to move the same amount of weight. As a rule of thumb, you should look for a winch that is rated to pull at least one and a half times the total amount of weight that you think you’re going to need to end up pulling. This way, you can save some money if you don’t need a winch rated for several tons, but also will have the power and security you need when you need it.

Finally, try to estimate how far you will need to pull objects. Will, you only need to pull them a few feet or will you need to pull them 100 or more? Make sure to find a winch that has enough room on the spool to fit the amount of cable that you will need.

How durable and weather resistant is the winch?

Odds are, you won’t be using your winch in the best of conditions. It is going to have to perform at its best in rain, muck, ice, and snow if it’s going to be there when you need it. Because of this, you need to make sure that your winch can withstand these conditions. The entire winch should be coated with zinc or enamel to prevent the metal weakening from corrosion and rust. Also make sure that the brakes that hold the line in place are securely enclosed in a box that will prevent them from becoming covered in mud or water, which would severely impair their ability to move loads securely. Most Tirfor winches today will come equipped to stand up to harsh conditions, but some cheaper models may not be ruggedized and may leave you high and dry when you need them, or worse injure bystanders when they fail.

How safe is the winch?

Along with how durable a winch is, how safe it is will also determine how successfully you can use it to move objects. Generally, it’s a good idea to go with the safest rated winch that you can afford, especially if you’re moving heavy objects like cars. While you might not end up needing it to be incredibly safe, you won’t be risking the safety of your and other bystanders or the destruction of whatever you happen to be lifting or pulling.

What’s the gear ratio?

Gear ratios are another important detail to look at when buying a grip hoist. For lighter loads, you can use a small ratio, but for heavier loads make sure you and an appropriately larger gear ratio.

How fast do you need to pull things?

If speed is of the essence, an electronic winch may be a better option than a hand winch, especially if you are off-roading. With an electronic winch, you merely need to anchor the cable to a secure object and press a button and the winch’s motor will do the rest, pulling you out in a few minutes. While also effective, winches powered by human strength will take much longer to achieve the same result.

However, there are a few circumstances were an electronic winch may not be enough. If you need to pull your vehicle in a direction other than immediately forward or if the battery that powers the winch dies you will need something other than the electronic winch on your bull bar. Look for hand powered winches that are built specifically for performance and to haul loads in quickly and safely.

Is the winch comfortable for you to use?

Finally, don’t forget about how comfortable the winch is for you to use. You can find the most high-end winch in the world, but if it doesn’t fit your hands you will be miserable using it at best, and at worst not be able to haul any loads in. When you’re looking for winches, make sure that the handle fits your hand and that it doesn’t feel flimsy. Try it out in the store a little bit and make sure that you will be able to deliver the right amount of power to the winch.

Taking some time to find the right hand powered winch might seem a little frivolous because they are relatively inexpensive tools compared to some other instruments that you may use. However, when its time to use a winch, you often are out of other options. If the winch doesn’t work, you might end up walking home or not getting your boat up to the dock. Make sure that you don’t get stuck and find the right winch for you that will work for years to come.

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Samantha Gibbs

I am an Architect by profession but my passion is for helping people in all aspects of Home Decoration Ideas by my blogs. Besides, I am the proud mom of 3 beautiful children. I love to write about anything related Rooms, DIY, Decoration and Ideas about Home Outdoor Living areas.

 

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