The Whole Story on the Different Types of Winches

Whether you’re navigating through muddy gravel roads or just having a fun adventure off the beaten track, having a winch for yoyr vehicle is a necessity. This device provides tremendous pulling power which can get you out of unfortunate and unpredicted situations. It can be mounted to vehicles like ATVs, off-road trucks, or used in a workshop or garage as an overhead lifting tool.

There are many types of winches based on their motor type, size and pull rating. The most important thing to do before buying one is to determine what you intend to use it for. It can be used for industrial, commercial, home or recreational purposes. Nevertheless, even within all of these uses, there are variations.

Winches are separated into two basic categories – electric and hydraulic. Both these types have advantages and disadvantages, and while both can do perform jobs successfully, each one of them has an edge over the other in specific situations. Let’s take a look at their differences.

The Power Source

The electric models usually make use of the vehicle’s battery to power the winch’s motor. They only work if the vehicle’s battery is charged, and they can “help” drain the battery faster. However, they are the better choice for occasional, quick and light use, such as in truck recovery as they don’t require much power. Hydraulic models on the other hand, are powered by a hydraulic system. A pump is required to operate the winch, but their efficiency can not be matched regarding durability and power.

On the Job

One of the biggest advantages of electric winches is that they’re often much easier to install. If there’s a need to transfer the winch from one vehicle to another, all you’ll need to do is reinstall the winch itself, nothing else. Off-road enthusiasts will appreciate electric winches more as they can be efficient and fast and still have enough power to pull them out of a bind. Since they only run on the battery of the vehicle, they don’t require the extra expenses that come with installing the hydraulic pump to power it.

For industrial and heavy-duty jobs, the hydraulic winch is the preferable choice, as it offers raw power, duty capability and durability. The installation is a bit more complicated than the one in electric models, but you can’t put a price on the strength and efficiency gained. For example, a tow truck would need a hydraulic winch, but it would also utilise a built-in hydraulic system to power the heavy-duty winch.