ATVs provide people with the ability to travel on any type of terrain, often where normal vehicles cannot go. They are used for work and leisure. If you have an ATV, you have most likely already discovered that there are a ton of accessories you can get. An ATV winch is one kind of accessory, but there are different ones to choose from.
Because there are so many options for winches, it is important to choose the right one. There are five aspects that will help you decide which winch is best suited for you. Consider these factors while you compare winch models.
Pulling or Lifting
Many people get confused between a hoist and an ATV winch. The simplest way to explain the difference is that one lifts and the other pulls. Winches pull things horizontally. Hoists lift things up vertically. For ATVs, winches are used to pull things that a person usually cannot, and they can be used to pull your ATV is it gets stuck.
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Source of Power
ATV winches are available in a few different power sources. 12 volt DC models use rechargeable 12 volt batteries for power to operate. AC models use a 120 volt AC cord and your house’s electrical supply for power. The third type of power comes from hand operation.
Strength
The strength of an ATV winch is measured by the rate of line pull. Generally, you should choose a winch that is rated at least double your ATV’s weight by 1.5 and use the result as your guide. When you are shopping for a winch, keep the minimum rating in mind but also consider how you will use your winch.
Mounting
How will you mount the winch you choose? Most people mount winches on the front or back of their ATV. Others choose winch boxes that encase the winch and the case is mounted on the ATV. A good thing to keep in mind when you are trying to figure out where to mount your winch is the location of your solenoid. Because the winches are wired into the ATV’s solenoid, mounting your winch closer to the location of the solenoid can be helpful.
Attaching the Load
When you are suing your winch, how will you attach the load you are trying to pull? Securing your load is important; it will affect how well your winch works and how safe you stay. You have three different ways to attach the load.
The shackle method is the first way to attach your load. It involves the use of your ATV winch cable hook to attach loads with cables, chains, or straps with looped ends. The shackle is usually shaped like a D.
Using a sling and/or load strap is a second method. You secure the sling or strap to what you want to pull and secure the cable hook to the sling or strap. Many straps will have multiple points to hook to, which can be beneficial for things that are stuck in oddly shaped places.
The third method of attaching loads to your ATV winch cable is a snatch block. A snatch block is a pulley enclosed in a metal case. The block is attached to your ATV and the winch cable is threaded into the snatch block. The goal is to increase the pulling power the winch has. When the drum is spooled with excess cable, it will not have the same power as it would with the cable all the way out. The snatch block reduces the amount of cable on the drum.
Line Speed
The line speed is how fast the cable winds off the drum. The winch’s gear train controls the line speed. There are two different types of gear trains a winch can have: worm and planetary.
A worm gear train uses two gears. With only those two gears, line speed is slow. The benefit is that the winch does not generate a lot of friction. This means heat levels stay low, prolonging the life of your winch.
A planetary gear train has multiple gears. Having more than two gears allows the ATV winch to pull faster. The downside is that although the pull is faster, more friction is generated. This causes more heat to occur and can reduce the life of your winch and/or its parts.
Cable
ATV winches use two kinds of cables. Each cable type can be beneficial but also have drawbacks. Choosing the right cable for how you will use the winch is important to protecting yourself and the winch.
For less strenuous use, a steel cable can be used in your ATV winch. Steel cables do not require a lot of maintenance and are often chosen for winches with planetary gear trains because they can withstand the heat. The disadvantage is that steel cables can develop burrs that can cut you or create a dangerous whip if it snaps.
The other option is a synthetic winch cable. Synthetic cables are stronger than steel ones and less likely to burr. They have two major disadvantages. First, synthetic cables can become damaged if they are in contact with any sharp objects. Second, these cables require more attention and care when you are using the winch.
When you are shopping for an ATV winch, it is important to carefully weigh the benefits and disadvantages. Consider the type of winch. Additionally, you should consider all of the parts of winches. The type of terrain you use your ATV with and how you will use the winch can help you with your choices.
Make sure that part of your research includes proper usage of the winches that you are considering. When you choose a winch, be sure to read the manual that comes with it and follow the instructions that are included. You will find proper mounting instructions and detailed directions for operating your winch safely.
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