ATV Winch for use as Chain fall

[dunk50 6]

I just bought a 3000# ATV winch from Harbor Freight. I want to use pulleys and cables to lift tractor for working on it much like a chain fall I have hanging in the garage. If I lift with chain fall wherever I stop it, it stays in that position. My question is will an electric winch do the same. Soee if you put pressure on a winch will it hold that pressure once electric is turned off. The reason I ask is they sell a winch for this purpose but it only lift 840# and is twice as expensive. The ATV one is #3000 and is much more suited to my purpose if it will work. Thanks Dunk

[Save Old Iron 1,568]

Dunk,

be careful. That winch is rated to PULL a rolling vehicle weighing 3000lbs - NOT LIFT IT.

I think they state that on the box and instructions.

I purchase many things from Harbor Freight but I joke that it would never be a parachute or mountain climbing equipment !! :thumbs:

[chazm 413]

Dunk - like S.O.I. said -be careful

I got one of those winches & only use it to pull with

I don't think I would trust it to hang anything over head

Chaz :banghead:

[dunk50 6]

Guys, I would not work UNDER a 10K Warn. I winch it up and then put it on jack stands or saw horses or bench. What I really was asking is if Warn or Harbor freight winch's actually lift / pull then stop in place when you stop putting power to them. This would give you time to put jack stands or saw horses under the tractor. Like I said my chain fall / hoist works that way. I lift front end of tractor and stop pulling chain and it stays lifted for me to place jack stands under.

[Sarge 3,464]

Almost , I say again, almost all atv or offroad winches have a load holding drum brake built in. It only releases when winching, some don't even do that honestly. With a ****** block, it should lift the load but be very careful . I've replaced half a dozen of those cables since the included pull cable is about the cheapest line they can buy-it's brittle and very prone to breakage. I usually replace them with quality 3/16" 2800lb working strength 7x19 cable. Don't even consider using thimbles to hold a winch line, they will never withstand the stress like a properly crimped ferrule, which I have the crimper here.

Short version, yes it should lift it and hold the load, but just don't trust it for a second.

Sarge

[can whlvr 993]

yes the winch will hold in place,when i had my jeep i had a 12000lb ramsey and i could lift the jeep in the air from a tree limb and swing it like a top :thumbs:

[chazm 413]

Well Dunk I see what your saying

My winch stops once you let off the power sw.

It has a fiber clutch disc with a tension knob

Loosen the knob & the cable releases.

I'm not sure it would pu dead weight as apposed to rolling weight

Chaz :banghead:

[dunk50 6]

Thanks guys, I think I am going to give it a try. #3000 ATV winch for $49 plus $10 for two year replacement warranty. Will be used light duty for misc. lifts so, we will see. Thanks for the input. I'll let you know after I use it a few times.

[Save Old Iron 1,568]

I just bought one last week myself - $49 on sale - 20% coupon = $39

couldn't resist that. I just have not hooked it up to my utility trailer yet.

Dunk, they do have another style winch for overhead lifting - I believe a 400 or 800lb overhead rating that has power up and power down buttons - I know this one will hold the front of a tractor up to insert jack stands

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/disp...temnumber=44006

these can be picked up sale for about $80 and they work very well.

[jla1257 2]

Winches for overhead lifting have safety devices that are built into them so if the break does fail the potential for a dropped object is still reduced. They are also engineered much differently, use stronger components, have fail safes and are PROOF TESTED. The wire ropes and all terminal tackle such as ferrules, eyes and hooks for overhead lifting are also built to a higher standard which allows them to bend and deform rather than suffering catastrophic failure. All lifting components must comply with ANSI/ASME regulations which are in place because at some point in time someone got hurt and the need for a regulation was recognized. The winch you saw for overhead lifting has the required safety factors built into it which may range any where from 2:1 - 5:1, which is why it appears to have a much lower working load limit than the ATV wench. All this put together means a higher cost.

You will probably be able to lift your tractor with it several times, but one day after the winch has gained your confidence it will fail. When wire ropes snap they release a lot of stored energy and cause serious injuries, anything from a small cut to cutting limbs off or bodies in half. If that does not happen, what if your foot is under the tractor or a part comes off when it falls? Where will that part go and what will it hit?

Basically it boils down to two things:

1. What if the ATV winch fails?

2. At what price does cost out weigh your wellbeing?

[rickv1957 73]

I would not want to gamble with that,be safe!,Rick

[Raider12 13]

yes the winch will hold in place,when i had my jeep i had a 12000lb ramsey and i could lift the jeep in the air from a tree limb and swing it like a top

I would have liked to see this! I can picture this jeep hanging from a tree. Tyhat would be cool. :banghead:

[Kelly 1,030]

I would not use the ATV winch but that is me, next question does it have power out? so you can lower what you picked up???? some only have power in and free wheel out.

[wh500special 2,249]

yes the winch will hold in place,when i had my jeep i had a 12000lb ramsey and i could lift the jeep in the air from a tree limb and swing it like a top

I would have liked to see this! I can picture this jeep hanging from a tree. Tyhat would be cool.

Anybody else remember the movie "The gods Must Be Crazy"?

Scene starts around 6:30 and the trouble really begins at about 8:30.

Steve

[Sarge 3,464]

One of my favorite movies of all time, Steve. Part II was nearly as good as well.

I've hung more than once the old Samurai from trees, ect to work on it , but only with additional support.

Sarge