Harbor Freight winches
#101
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Location: Broken Arrow, OK
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I wonder if the "badland" winches aren't just rebranded Chicago Electric Winches? Harbor Freight style stores often do that to keep products "fresh".
This is not Fact and merely speculation.
This is not Fact and merely speculation.
#103
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FYI the badland winches suck atleast the 12k one first one the line snapped and almost hit me. I was winching my 4runner up a wet grass hill should have been easy for it. so I took that one back in exchange for a new one the first one was only a day old. Next day used the new one to try to winch out a newer f150 2wd stock motor blew out on me. So now I'm going to take this one back and buy a name brand winch. Just thought I'd share this info.
#104
FYI the badland winches suck atleast the 12k one first one the line snapped and almost hit me. I was winching my 4runner up a wet grass hill should have been easy for it. so I took that one back in exchange for a new one the first one was only a day old. Next day used the new one to try to winch out a newer f150 2wd stock motor blew out on me. So now I'm going to take this one back and buy a name brand winch. Just thought I'd share this info.
Thanks for sharing though. I still recommend a 10k lb. Chicago Electric® or ROAD SHOCK® winch if you can find one. Which won't likey be at HF, but you can search the web. I found some not too long ago.
However, based on the fact that the BADLAND WINCHES™ are quite different in design and appearance, plus the report that the 12k lb. sucks, I will go out on a limb here and say NO!. I highly doubt that they're rebranded Chicago Electric® or ROAD SHOCK® winches. Which actually appear to be MileMarker clones(so they're probably MM rebranded as Chicago Electric® or ROAD SHOCK®).
I have both a MM and a HF winch. They are the same except for the stickers on them. Both are SLOW but WORK great. I have had the MM for a few years now (bought mine in 2002) and the HF just a few months ago. No complaints except for the slow line speed. Has never failed recovering my buddies Rubicon (10 times!) or my own rigs (3 times). for the price, it is a good deal, and you can still afford to get some synthetic line afterwards!
Last edited by MudHippy; 06-21-2011 at 10:38 AM.
#106
That's nice!
But this thread happens to be about their winches...
BTW, every electrical tool they sell is NOT junk. If you go in there and buy the cheapest one they have...well...you pretty much asked for it. In my experience, spend a few dollars more and get the better model they offer. Just like anywhere, you get what you pay for. Their tools that are labeled "Professional" or "Industrial" tend to be significantly higher quality than those that aren't. The term "Heavy Duty" is meaningless there though, as just about every tool they sell is labeled "HD".
Also, the Chicago Electric® Magnesium line of power tools is exceptional quality(but also their most expensive). IMO they're as good as, or better than, any power tools made by DeWALT, Milwaukee, Makita, Ridgid, Ryobi, Skil, etc.
But this thread happens to be about their winches...
BTW, every electrical tool they sell is NOT junk. If you go in there and buy the cheapest one they have...well...you pretty much asked for it. In my experience, spend a few dollars more and get the better model they offer. Just like anywhere, you get what you pay for. Their tools that are labeled "Professional" or "Industrial" tend to be significantly higher quality than those that aren't. The term "Heavy Duty" is meaningless there though, as just about every tool they sell is labeled "HD".
Also, the Chicago Electric® Magnesium line of power tools is exceptional quality(but also their most expensive). IMO they're as good as, or better than, any power tools made by DeWALT, Milwaukee, Makita, Ridgid, Ryobi, Skil, etc.
Last edited by MudHippy; 06-20-2011 at 07:01 PM.
#110
Well you should've...especially before saying...
Because that is not surprising news, as they're not made by/branded Chicago Electric® and/or ROAD SHOCK® anymore. We've so far heard nothing good about the ones they sell now made by/branded BADLAND WINCHES™, and MUCH good about the older winches. I still stand behind every word I've said about mine. And what's more, if you can find a better winch for the money than I did...SHOW ME!!!
Not that I doubt the authenticity of your statement, but do you happen to have that, or know what, issue of 4 Wheeler it's in? I looked while I was in the store a minute ago at the newest one, wasn't in there. I'd really like to see it for any reference to MileMarkers. Because that's most likely who ACTUALLY made mine. You'd know that too, if you read the thread. So there's another good reason why you should('ve).
Not that I doubt the authenticity of your statement, but do you happen to have that, or know what, issue of 4 Wheeler it's in? I looked while I was in the store a minute ago at the newest one, wasn't in there. I'd really like to see it for any reference to MileMarkers. Because that's most likely who ACTUALLY made mine. You'd know that too, if you read the thread. So there's another good reason why you should('ve).
Last edited by MudHippy; 06-20-2011 at 08:21 PM.
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