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Tifor

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MuddyMachine:
I have just been given a 5ton tirfor winch, which is in good condition.
Is it worth using over an electric one as it would only be use occasionaly for self recovery? Are they any safer? Besides the manual work needed to use it are there any other cons to owning one?

PUX:
i would say easy to use if in the right hands and very cheap compared to a electric winch and can be stowed out the way the only thing is it involves plenty of effort so make sure u have a goood co-driver  :lol: (i will stick to me electric winch  :lol: )

Henry Webster:
They do have some huge advantages over electric winches if it is just for self recovery.  

You can use them from any angle and the back - no need for a second winch and useful if you have fallen on your side!

You can use them when the engine is dead - slow and hard work, but beats a hydraulic or electric hands down here.

It doesn't affect your approach or departure angle as it lives in the car.

Significantly lighter, leaves you potentially less likely to get stuck in the first place.

Regards

H

stevegreen:
I have a Tirfor and a Warn - I would recommend the Tirfor over the Warn any day.

They are definitely:

* safer - the low line speed makes sure of this - many times I have watched people winch too fast with an electric winch
* more reliable - no electrics required & take alot of abuse
* more versatile - as has already been stated can be used from any angle and used to recover another vehicle even when you cant get yours in the ideal position to winch

and full line load can be taken at any time not just on the last wrap on the drum as on an electric winch.

Just make sure that you have "proper" Tirfor cable and keep a few spare shear pins (usually stored in the T bar).

The only drawbacks are:

* the weight of it for lugging about especially across muddy ground
* securing it safely in the back of the motor - it will kill/maim if you roll and it hits you
* storing and handling the cable - David Bowyer recommends an old tyre to reel it into.  However, the best solution is from Tirfor - the coilamatic.  Its a drum that fits on a baseplate and attaches to the winch.  The cable sits inside and the drum rotates in both directions when reeling in or out.

TimM:
I've heard that an elecric winch (or any mounted winch) needs declaring on your insurance, potentially putting hte premium up - this won't apply for a hand winch  :wink:

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