I am thinking about buying a mechanical hand winch and there appears a huge range in price and options out there. I am looking for something affordable, but up to the task of pulling my truck out of a ditch. Realiabity is obviously important, but not necessarily long term durabililty. I don't plan to use it regularly, just have it in case. I drive a lot in the snow and want some way of independantly pulling myself out.

How does using a Hi-Lift as a winch compare other manual winches?

 

Well, my first recommendation would be good tires and proper driving to not end up in the ditch in the first place!

The only problem with Hi-Lift winching is you can only go 48" (or 60" depending on which HiLift you have) at a time. But, it works well. I highly recommend everyone who has a HiLift to get the winch accessory kit (note: you need a section of 3/8" Grd 70 transport chain that is NOT included in the kit!)

A hand winch or come-a-long will work OK, but will be slow. You will need one rated at least 4 tons (8000 lbs), just like a motorized winch - and even then, you may have to double line pull if the snow is deep. Snow up over the axles is a huge "mire factor" and dramatically increases the load on the winch.

I think getting a nice, high end manual winch would be a better decision than a cheap motorized winch.

 

I would also advise using a hi-lift, with their winching kit and chain. Their are plenty of videos on youtube that demo how it is done, just search "hi-lift winch".

But be aware that their size is in reference to their frame, and not the amount of travel in the jacking mechanism. For example, a 48" Hi-lift, the nose starts at 4.5" from the base, and it stops at ~37-38", so there is only 33"-34" of true "winching" before you have to re-adjust. And a 60" Hi-lift has 44"-45" of travel. But still, with a little practice, you can use it very effectively!

 

Thanks for the replies, it seems like a Hi-Lift is probably the best way to go since it is a more versitle tool. I was planning to get one anyway, but since it will require adding sliders to my truck so I can use it as a jack as well, as was going to wait a bit. I guess I should fork over more dough right away and skip the comealong.

How does the mechanical advantge of the hi-lift compare to a comealong-type winch? I mean terms of how much muscle it takes to do work. It looks easy enough in the you tube vids, but if a rig is really stuck...

 

I have had a More Power Puller (8K double line pull) for over 15 years...it has only quit working when I get tired
Probably one of the best investments for 4Wheeling I have got:
http://www.wyeth-scott.com/
it is the only thing the company makes:


have used it to pull stumps, trucks and comes in handy when you don't have your transfer cases installed


weights a bunch but better than a regular come a long and faster than trying to use a high lift jack for a winch, for single line it has almost 35 feet of cable on it...I carry my Hi-lift too...

 

I have limited experience with hand winching, I tried it with my Hi-lift once. I did not like it at all and felt that it was not a exceptible tool for winching.

Yes, I saw the youtube and hi-lift infomercial.

Still carry it but would get a come-along if I was planning to manual winch.

 

i have one of these, not the same company, but the same. and it works AWSOME, i love it, and would highly recomend it

 

I'm going to resurrect this thread and say that the Wyeth Scott power puller is really nice to use and extremely well crafted. I bought one a few years ago and it's a hundred year old design that will be around even after armageddon (you don't need gasoline or electric to run it!). I suggest getting one and supporting US made products... They are now offering them with Amsteel blue synth line! That's cool!