So HF has this advertised, a $600, 9k winch for $400 (actually my flyer says I can get it for $350)!! :

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?function=Search

Now go open up the spec sheet.
No HP for the motor, no spec on gearing, no pull by line like ALL other winches that are decent, no amp draw even (a less efficiently designed motor can draw a ton of amps). Only a little graph that shows if you pull with it on a flat surface, with vehicle able to roll, it will pull 9k (cool, I can also push 9k on a flat surface I imagine). If this changes by 20*,still assuming rolling surface, pull drops to 3k. There is no other way to compare it to a known winch, I would be very careful with considering buying a winch such as this.

man, we dont even have harbor frieght in the carolinas, but its really cool that you are warning everyone about that. Rock on.

man, we dont even have harbor frieght in the carolinas, but its really cool that you are warning everyone about that. Rock on.

HF can ship. But I also have to find their 8k winch....I swear I pulled up the manual for that one, and it was rated 8k....for a double line pull.:doh0715: :shocked

im in south carolina and we have one

So does anyone have one? Are they junk or ok. I am thinking of getting the 9k one just to mount on my trailer.

im in south carolina and we have one
really? my fault, there arent any in clt. that i know of.

With all the anecdotal evidence of the quality of HF parts, would you REALLY trust one of their $400 to $600 winches with getting your ass back to civilization?? :histerica Maybe pulling a broken rig back onto the trailer, but never as recovery equipment. :wacko

friend of mine just picked one of those up for his zook. we'll see how it performs

With all the anecdotal evidence of the quality of HF parts, would you REALLY trust one of their $400 to $600 winches with getting your ass back to civilization?? :histerica Maybe pulling a broken rig back onto the trailer, but never as recovery equipment. :wacko

That is my thinking. I figure one should work alright fo my trailer, though since it's just straight pulls for short distances. :shrug

I have run the Chicago Electric winches and they WILL get you out...but it takes awhile...LOL...it is SLOOOWWWW. That being said, they do work...and the rating is single line...I got 6 years out of one and then gave it to a noob just beginning. They make great bed boxes for lifting axles and stuff...or trailer winches for breakdowns.

If you have to go with a "Budget Winch" my suggestion is the Tabor series from Warn...but as with ANY budget winch...maintain it faithfully:thumbup

(Warn M12000 works awesome!...)Bronco85's M12 has inspired me to get one:thumbup

Sams club sells a 12k for about 300 anybody seen this?

Josh

go warn all the way

Sams club sells a 12k for about 300 anybody seen this?

Josh

A friend of mine just called and told me that he was at Sam's Club and saw they had 7500lb winches for $300 and a 2000lb ATV winch for under $100. Though I have a flier from HF that has 8000lbs for $300 on sale and 9000lbs for 4 or 500 on sale. I think I'm gonna check out HF and see if I can still get the sale price and if not, I'm getting the Sam's Club one. This will be for my trailer, by the way.

I would get a reliable winch like a Warn, but I suppose a crappy winch is better than no winch if you get yourself stuck in the middle of nowhere.

you get what you pay for, thats the bottom line.

you want a good winch expect to pay close to 1k for it.

you get what you pay for, thats the bottom line.

you want a good winch expect to pay close to 1k for it.

yes.

well, a warn 9k can be had for upper $600 which is what I paid. It is enough winch for a bronco like mine.

For a trailer and pulling up something like a jeep or zuk on the trailer, this HF thing should be fine. I only posted though cuz folks are always shopping for cheap with winch, and I do agree, this is one area where I believe buying something with specs, and known quality pays off the first time you need it.

A friend of mine just called and told me that he was at Sam's Club and saw they had 7500lb winches for $300 and a 2000lb ATV winch for under $100. Though I have a flier from HF that has 8000lbs for $300 on sale and 9000lbs for 4 or 500 on sale. I think I'm gonna check out HF and see if I can still get the sale price and if not, I'm getting the Sam's Club one. This will be for my trailer, by the way.
I just bought the 2K for a gin pole setup from Sam's $69:thumbup ...hafta configure the poles and pulley system for the back of the BKO or my 1/2 ton

really? my fault, there arent any in clt. that i know of.

Well you would be wrong :slap

Theres one on independance. Me and Dave's Bronc 90 have visited it a few times.

That Chicago Electric 9k winch looks identical to the MileMarker electric I had.
Compare:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=3633

And this one:
http://www.milemarker.com/e-winch9.html

That Chicago Electric 9k winch looks identical to the MileMarker electric I had.
Compare:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=3633

And this one:
http://www.milemarker.com/e-winch9.html

At least MM is giving some specs. This design is the basic "Ramsey" type design, vs. warn...the controller is like all Ramsey's I have seen and it has the little plastic handle switch on the right side of the winch drum. Also note it's permanent magnet, which is good in that it tends to draw less amps...but bad in that PM are not really the bet for heavy use.

I am starting to think that all of these sub $1000.00 winches are made by the same outfit in China. Check out this web site.

http://www.hoistasia.com/home.htm

dc

That Chicago Electric 9k winch looks identical to the MileMarker electric I had.
Compare:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=3633

And this one:
http://www.milemarker.com/e-winch9.html

had a buddy in College his dad worked for Chicago Electric and said it is the same guts as the Mile Marker:twotu: a buddy has been using the 8k from HF and its been fine for the last 3 years, he wheels a lighter yota though:doh0715:

That Chicago Electric 9k winch looks identical to the MileMarker electric I had.
Compare:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=3633

And this one:
http://www.milemarker.com/e-winch9.html
Don't be silly! The Milemarker has stickers on it! DuHHHH. :toothless

Every manufacturing operation has to find something to do with the product that doesn't pass QC inspection...Hence (Supposedly, from another thread I just read...but I do know the Tabor is a WARN (the other 2 are unverified):

Tabor = WARN
Champion = Ramsey
Chicago Electric = Milemarker

I have passed one Chicago Electric to a Noob locally, and just bought one for my daughter. I am going to CostCo and check out the Champions today. (bought a 2000# champion for my trailer and it works great $69)

I went to harbor freight today. I didnt have my phone on me to take a pic of the specs. It seems decent in line speed and capacity. If I have time I'll go there tomorrow and take a pic of the specs on the box. But shadow the shelf price was 599.99. And I'll be damned if it aint IDENTICAL to the MM.

Josh

Went wheeling a couple of weeks ago with an early Bronco that was sporting a Champion 7.5K. He ended up breaking an axle shaft and had to winch out, that thing was the slowest, weakest winch I have ever laid eyes on. Seriously, if you're considering a Champion I would reccomend you look elsewhere. I hate to think how bad it would have been mounted on a FSB.

I went to harbor freight today. I didnt have my phone on me to take a pic of the specs. It seems decent in line speed and capacity. If I have time I'll go there tomorrow and take a pic of the specs on the box. But shadow the shelf price was 599.99. And I'll be damned if it aint IDENTICAL to the MM.

JoshThey work...but SLOWLY...LOL...I got spoiled by an 8274 for line speed...but my philosophy is, If it gets you out of what you got into...it's a good winch...LOL