Hi all, have had a Toy for the last 4 years and really like the size, durability and ability of these trucks. I performed a forum search without result, so it looks like my first post (after lurking for some time) is a new thread...if I have overlooked something in the forum, please let me know and accept my apologies for not being as diligent in searching as I should have.

Was researching winches (type and method of operation more so than brand) and have noticed that Europeans and Aussies (Land Rover owners especially) seem to favor the hydraulic type over electrics; I like the idea as well, in that in my wheeling, I'm more likely to be spending a considerable amount of time getting myself out. I was also checking out capstan winches for what I consider their ease of use (no rope on the spool, use of different lengths/types of rope or cable and their ability to work at extreme angles to the vehicle without a fairlead.

My question is, has anyone either used a regular drum (Warn, Ramsay, etc) winch like a capstan (using only one layer on the drum and pulling on the free end to create tension) or at least investigated the possibility of using a drum winch (hydraulic or electric) this manner? If this is feasible without risking damage to myself, my truck or the winch, I will be looking at the biggest hydraulic winch I could get my hands and wallet on...

Thanks

 

Did you search on hydraulic winches (might try MileMarker as your keyword)? It seems to be a pretty polar argument with some very valid concerns on both sides and not many people in the middle.

I think the effort would be more value added to not getting stuck that bad in the first place .... What kind of 'wheeling are we talking about here?

 

Mud and thick, rocky bush (going to remote lakes for fishing/camping where there is little to nothing for a trail) are what I run into...irrespective of being electric or hydraulic, I'm thinking that with a winch's best pulling power based on a single layer wound on the drum, that using a single layer and not having the drum get spooled up (which reduces the amount of weight that can be pulled) would allow the winch to operate at it's highest load rating over a short or long distance...

 

Never used a winch like that. Main issue w/ hydraulics on Toyotas if the p/s pump is rather anemic in stock form, not enough pressure or flow to make the hyd. winch run at full load. I also find that 95% of the time winching, it works best if the driver operates the winch from inside the cab so you can steer and supply wheel power to help the winch out. Seems to get overly complicated with the capstan setup with someone outside pulling on the cable and someone else driving.

One intesting setup I did see a picture of was a capstan that bolted to the wheel lugs and you could use the spinning wheel to pull on a rope.