Automotive winches: types, purposes, selection criteria

If a few decades ago the winch was installed mainly on special equipment operating in harsh off-road conditions, then at the moment such a device has ceased to be exotic for ordinary transport. Depending on the type of mechanism, most motorists will have no difficulty finding a winch at an automotive accessories store.

These products are very popular among those who like to conquer tough off-road terrain. Especially often, such mechanisms can be seen on the bumper of a full-fledged SUV with high ground clearance (what it is and how it is measured is described in another review) and four-wheel drive. For such cars, a key rule applies: the deeper into the forest, the farther to run after the tractor.

So that the driver can independently get out of the situation when the car is thoroughly buried in mud or snow, and the nearest settlement is too far away, manufacturers of special mechanisms for off-road equipment have developed a winch. Consider what a winch is, what types of winches exist for a serial car, how they work, and which type is better to choose for your SUV.

What is a car winch?

If the car is operated exclusively in urban conditions or on a flat track, then it will never need a winch. But provided that the car has to conquer off-road, such a structure will definitely be installed on its bumper (however, there are portable modifications, but more on that later).

A mushroom picker, fisherman, hunter and just a fan of Off-road trips will definitely acquire a similar car mechanism. This device is a structure that is attached to the bumper of a car or to a fixed surface outside the car. She will definitely have a drive. It can be an electric motor or a mechanical manual drive with a shaft on which the cable is wound.

Purpose of the winch

Extreme motorsport is not only about circuit racing on sports cars, such as, for example, the competitions described here... This category also includes off-the-beaten-track rides, such as orienteering competitions or simply driving on the maximum off-road. Such trips are always accompanied by procedures for getting the stuck car out of the swamp.

Since off-road conquerors try their luck where no crane can reach, the winch just serves as a mini crane. If it is correctly selected and correctly secured, then the driver will not be afraid to sit in the farthest wilderness. The main thing is that there is enough battery power, and the motor does not stall due to a large amount of dirt. But in this case, the manual option comes in handy.

An auto winch allows you to convert any energy (electrical, hydraulic or physical effort) into pulling force. This force allows an SUV to be pulled out if it is stuck in mud or snowdrift. A classic auto winch allows you to hook one end of the cable to any strong stationary object (for example, a tree or a metal pipe that acts as an anchor driven into the ground) and slowly pull the car out of the "captivity" of the off-road element.

Устройство

Today, motorists are offered a large selection of winches. Each species will have its own device, but the principle of operation is the same for all of them.

The winch will consist of:

• Fastening structure. Depending on the modification, this structure will be fixed either directly on the car or on a fixed "anchor" (a stump, a tree or a pipe driven into the ground).
• Main shaft or drum. A tug for a car is wound on this element.
• Tugboat. Depending on the type of winch, this will be synthetic rope, metal rope or chain. Each of these materials has its own advantages and disadvantages, therefore, when deciding on the type of mechanism, you need to take into account what kind of load this element must withstand.
• Drive. In this case, too, everything depends on the parameters of the car. There are mechanical modifications that work from physical efforts (a person independently pulls a cable attached to the supporting part of the machine using levers and a set of ratchets). Also, motorists are offered models of winches with electric or hydraulic drives.
• Reducer. Without a reduction gear, it is impossible to use a low-power motor or a device with a hand drive. Also, the winch mechanism is equipped with a lever that allows you to disconnect the shaft or winding drum from the gearbox. With this element, the driver has the opportunity to unwind the cable manually.
• Control devices. Their purpose is to ensure that the winding drum starts to rotate and stops. The start button is located either on the winch body or on the relay unit, and in some cases it can be located in the car's interior on the operating panel. There are portable winches that are controlled via a radio remote control or a wired analogue.

Dimensions of winches

You need to choose a new auto winch according to different parameters, and the most important is its size or carrying capacity. Ideally, it is better to have a more powerful mechanism in the trunk of the car than the weight of the car requires. The reason is that lifting the vehicle out of the mud involves overcoming additional efforts. When the car is deep in the mud, it seems to be sucked in until the wheels hit the hard soil.

When the vehicle is being lifted or towed, the mud creates additional resistance that must be overcome by the winch drive. For this reason, it is important that the power of the propulsion system or the strength of the cable can overcome this force.

Types of car winches

Auto winches differ not only in the materials from which they are made and by the manufacturing company. Particular attention should be paid to the drive, since each of the varieties has its own advantages, but is not devoid of significant disadvantages.

The list of car accessories that can pull a vehicle out of the quagmire includes:

• Manual;
• Mechanical;
• Electrical;
• Hydraulic.

Let's consider each of these types separately.

Hand winch on a car

This is perhaps the most common type of car winch. The reason is that manual modifications are the cheapest and do not use the resources of the vehicle itself. To get the car out of the mud, the driver does not need to connect to either the battery or the powertrain.

To do this, it is enough to fix the cable on one side on a fixed vertical surface, and on the other - hook it onto the corresponding hooks in the bumper. Next, using a ratchet mechanism, the motorist pulls the cable, gradually pulling out his car.

While such a device can help you get out of the off-road trap, it is practically useless in difficult situations. This is especially true if the car is heavy. The smaller the mass of the vehicle, the easier it will be to pull it out, since this requires a lot of physical strength. So, if the car weighs no more than one ton, then this type of tug will be of use. Otherwise, the vehicle may remain stationary.

Mechanical car winch

The next type of auto winch is mechanical. It uses the engine resource of the car itself. Such a mechanism does not have its own drive. It is rarely seen on SUVs for one simple reason. To use the tug, you need to connect it directly to the car's engine.

There are few such models that make it possible to connect such devices. Often they are already equipped with a winch from the factory, and the purchase of a new one may be associated with a breakdown of the factory version. For this reason, mechanical types of winches are rarely found in stores.

Hydraulic auto winch

This is the most expensive type of towing device. The reason is that they provide the smoothest and quietest operation possible, but they also have the most sophisticated design. They are also suitable for heavy vehicles that have fallen into a complex trap, but electric options also cope with this task successfully. Repairing such a device will cost a fortune, so in stores such a modification is also very rare, like a mechanical version.

As you can see, the advantage of hydraulic winches is their noiselessness and smoothness. However, this refers more to convenience than to greater efficiency, so such devices are bought only by those motorists who want to emphasize the status of their car and demonstrate their material capabilities.

The main difference between the hydraulic winch and the electric version is in the drive. Such an installation is connected to the power steering. In this case, the device cannot be used if the vehicle engine is turned off.

Electric hoist

The electric winch is the most widespread and popular type of "tractors". It is equipped with its own electric motor, which will operate from a car battery (the wiring is connected either directly to the car's electrical circuit on a permanent basis, or through the cigarette lighter socket). To prevent the device from draining the battery in a couple of minutes, a traction battery must be installed in the car. The difference between the starting and traction options is described in another article.

The auto accessories market offers a large selection of electrical modifications. They have different power and a slightly modified design. Such a winch can be installed on the bumper of a car on a permanent basis or hidden in the trunk and used only when the situation requires it. Electric towing vehicles have a higher tractive effort than a manual analogue and, despite the noise during operation, they cope with their task no worse than hydraulic models. The main thing is to choose the right device.

If the car has stalled and can no longer deal with dirt, the electric winch makes it possible to pull the car to a place more suitable for repairs. This option (autonomous operation from a battery) favorably distinguishes this modification against the background of other types of tugs.

The installation of electric winches can even be done hidden (hide behind the bumper or under the body panel of the car). The main thing is that the design of the car or its bumper allows you to hide the device so that it does not spoil the design of the transport.

Here is a small table that will help you determine the model of the electric winch and its power:

Pulling force	Winch weight	What transport is suitable for
2.0-2.5 thousand pounds	10-12 kg	Snowmobiles and oversized ATVs, light vehicle, provided that the vehicle does not sit too much
4.0-4.5 thousand pounds	17-25 kg	Heavy snowmobiles and ATVs, passenger car, small SUV or mid-range crossover
6.0-6.5 thousand pounds	18-30 kg	Compact SUV, mid-range crossover. If the device is purchased for a heavy crossover and a larger SUV, then experts recommend using an amplification unit.
9.0-9.5 thousand pounds	40 kg or more	Such models will stretch any SUV.

What are the parameters to choose a winch for a car

So, the winch is not the same. In addition to different designs and build quality, the devices have different capacities. Consider what parameters should be used to select a new winch.

The key parameter is tractive force. In most modifications, this figure is determined by pounds (in one pound 0.45kg.). The pull of the winch is several thousand pounds, and on many models it is indicated by markings such as 4.7, which means the ability to pull 4700 pounds or 2115 kilograms (4700 * 0,45).

The second parameter is the dimensions of the winch. Naturally, when the car sits in a puddle, everyone wants the winch to be able to overcome the maximum load. But the more powerful the device, the larger the motor and the more massive the structure. Not only does this design take up a lot of space, it also has a decent weight. Not every motorist is ready to constantly carry an additional 50 kilograms with him.

To determine how much power an auto winch should be, you need to make the following calculations. The minimum tractive effort should be 2.5 times the vehicle weight (ideally, XNUMX times). But at the same time, you need to take into account the maximum weight of the car (including the weight of passengers and cargo, so that you do not have to unload a stuck car). If you have doubts about whether the tug power is suitable for a car, it is better to choose an option with a margin.

Thirdly, it is also necessary to choose a new tug by the type of cable. All devices operate mainly on two types of ropes:

1. Steel. This is the most common type of rope, as its main advantage is greater strength, durability and resistance to mechanical damage. At the same time, the steel cable has a significant drawback. It is susceptible to corrosion, which causes its veins to burst over time. When a cable breaks under force, it can cause a lot of damage, including to the car. If the winch is installed on a permanent basis, then a large load will be placed on the front axle due to the increased weight (the steel cable has an impressive mass - in most cases at least 40 kilograms), which will significantly reduce the working life of the suspension. Despite these disadvantages, if the machine is often operated in areas with sandy and rocky terrain, then a steel cable is the best option for a winch. The reason is that this material is resistant to abrasion, and it does not rub against stones when towing a car. An important condition when using such a winch is tight gloves. A burst cable may not be easy to spot, but lack of protection can cause serious injury to the driver's hands, especially when manually unwinding the cable.
2. Nylon. The advantage of such a rope is its flexibility and lower weight (there will be less load on the front axle). The presence of a synthetic rope in most cases adds up to 30 kilograms of weight to the front. Also, the risk of injury while working with the rope is minimal. If we talk about the shortcomings, then synthetic fibers stretch more strongly with effort, and during use in sandy and rocky areas, it will quickly fray or tear. Also, synthetic material is highly susceptible to the aggressive effects of various chemicals that sprinkle roads, quickly deteriorates under constant exposure to ultraviolet radiation (especially if the mechanism is installed on a permanent basis) and even rainwater. It is important to dry the cable after use so that it does not deteriorate when it is reeled up on the drum.

The fourth parameter by which you need to navigate is the way the device is attached. As already mentioned, winches are hidden, mounted and portable. Each individual car can use a certain modification, for example, in some car models it is not possible to hide the towboat behind the bumper or body panel.

If the winch is installed on the bumper on a permanent basis, then in most types of factory bumpers, some changes will also need to be made to the structure of the power section of the car body. Most often, a motorist has to use the services of a welder.

Fifth. Despite the disadvantages of a nylon cable, most experts recommend using it. To prevent it from jumping off the drum when fully unwinding, a special bracket is installed in the winch through which the tug is passed and then tightened with a loop around the shaft.

If there is no experience in installing a winch on a car, it is better to install it under the supervision of a specialist or use the services of a service station. If installed incorrectly, the mechanism can either break loose from the mount, or tear off the power unit from the machine. Such damage cannot be repaired in off-road conditions, and if you hook the cable to the supporting part of the machine, you can cause irreparable damage to it.

Where to buy a car winch

You can find a new winch at any major automotive accessories store. There are also specialized centers for auto-tuning, where you can not only pick up a tug, but also ask for the recommendation of a master specializing in the installation of such devices.

The design is not selected by the VIN-code (what is it, and where is it located on the car body, read here), except for those situations when the "tractor" is included in the factory equipment, and there is a desire to install the original mechanism. In other cases, the driver independently selects the device in terms of power, design and method of attachment to the body.

Another way is to use the services of online stores. There are Chinese platforms like Aliexpress that offer good budget options, but this option is more suitable for specialists who know exactly what to look for. Otherwise, it is better to use the services of physical retail outlets.

Quite good models can be found among the products of such manufacturers:

• Warn;
• Ramsey;
• Mile Marker;
• SuperWinch.

The latter is an English manufacturer, the rest are US companies.

How to use the winch

Here is a small instruction for those who use this mechanism for the first time.

1) Installing the winch

First you need to take care of your personal safety. Especially if a steel cable is wound on the drum. It is better not to use ordinary cheap construction gloves in this case. They are not so dense, and will not be able to protect against injury, since the wires of the cable are thin. It is better to purchase thick suede gloves.

Next, you need to find a fulcrum that will serve as an anchor. It can be a huge rock, another vehicle, a tree, or a stake driven into the ground on level ground.

We unwind the cable. For this, most winches are equipped with a special lever that secures the ratchet. If the tug is controlled via the remote control, then it must be connected. The cable must be fastened at the bottom of the anchor - this is less likely to break the trunk of a small tree or unscrew the stake.

Usually complete with a cable, the winch has a D-loop or a hook with a lock, like a normal towing rope. We wrap the anchor with a cable and put a loop on the part of the rope coming from the machine. We fix the winch drum so that it winds the cable. We tighten the rope.

2) Pulling out the vehicle

Before proceeding with the manipulation, you must make sure that no one will be hurt in the event of a cable break. It is important that all bystanders and passengers move to a safe distance. In most cases, the driver needs to get behind the wheel and turn on the winch.

She will gradually pull up the car. As soon as the machine reaches a more or less stable surface and is able to continue moving on its own, turn off the winch. It is best to continue towing until the vehicle has covered some distance on a hard surface.

3) Dismantling the winch

The tug structure is disassembled in reverse order. First, release the drum to release the tension in the cable. Next, release the retainer (D-loop or hook). We wind the cable around the drum and turn off the control panel. A small nuance. The steel cable must be wound so that the turns lie next to each other. As for the nylon analog, this procedure is needed only for beauty.

Additionally, we offer a short video about the layout of the winches and how to use the device for pulling a car out of the mud or overcoming difficult climbs:

How to use a car electric winch.

Questions and answers:

What kind of drive do winches have? Modern winch designs use two types of drives. The cable is tensioned using a manual gearbox or an electric motor.

What are winches used for? This is a mechanism that allows you to move the load in a vertical or horizontal direction. The car is often used for towing out of mud.

What is the lifting capacity of the winch? It depends on the type of gearbox, drive and motor power. Carrying capacities range from 250 kg to 3 tons and lifting heights up to 60 meters.