harbor freight winches?

[Ryan]

I know they are cheap, anyone ever use one?

[livetohunt]

I have never used one but one of the guys I worked with loved them said he would rather have one of them then on of the big name ones. This guy I worked with was an avid outdoorsmen he hunted, fished and was into 4x4ing. He is also what I would call a gearhead and an older man and just the type of guy I would take his word on things like this. He did say that him and his son had both gotten the 10,000 lbs. ones and his son had to take it back 2 times due to something with the wiring and ended up with the 8,000 lbs. one and loved it. Hope it helps.

[Ryan]

Thanks Lth i think i might try one.

[livetohunt]

If you do let us all know, would be nice to have more info on them, good or bad. I will need to get one someday my chainsaw winch works great but would be nice to have one mounted on the front all the time would sure save some time. Also with the smoking deals you can get one of them Harbor Freight ones for you could have one on the front and on the back for the same as one of the big boys on just one end.

[houndnem]

What do they want for a 8000? I have got a shop vice from them for christmas, it's kindof a pile, but it works.

[livetohunt]

Looks like the 8000 run 299.00 and the 10,000 run 399.00

[houndnem]

Hell, if they pull you out of some deep Sh$% a few times before they break I'd say 299 well spent.

[inchtowntracking]

Looked like the worst complaint was that they was slow, but that is alot better then being stuck for sure. They say they are strong, so if i can I might have to get one.

[livetohunt]

Yes I saw that to if a guy knew a little something about running a lathe and a milling mach. I'm sure a little work to the gears could speed it up some.

[Ryan]

I read they are slow too. But I bet they take less time than me shoveling out of a drift! If i get one I will let you guys know how it works. You can print 20% of coupons for harbor freight online so those 400 dolllar winches cost 320.

[3600665]

they are a waste of money

[mefishme1234]

i am thinkig of getting the 9000lb one for a moose hoist.. then put one on a 2" mount to pull me out of holes!

[inchtowntracking]

they are a waste of money

Whats the story behind this, so maybe you could help some of us on the fence about them/

[Brady Davis]

I've never owned one personally, however, I have 2 buddies that bought them, 1 guy loves his,the other hates his cause it broke....Not much help I know but my buddy who loves his swears by it and he's had it for years....I think they'd be worth a shot for that price.

[pegleg]

I have a harbor freight in decent range and stop in once in a while. I bought a winch from them a few years back and don't know much about what model or anything don't even remember what it cost. it gets banged around on a steady basis as it's a detachable and i haul it in the trailer or truck bed when i remember it. it works ok I can't say it doesn't . the only thing i would watch for is power draw it sucks some serious juice. on a diesel with a goose neck it will pull it if you can find a tie off strong enough. I now carry extra cable "again if i remember". I have used it as a hoist. run off a battery charger and it screams, yes i know not recommended. again would definitely watch the battery and leave the vehicle running. even with two high amp batteries it pulls them way down. and I run marine batteries in the trucks to run the inverters easier.