I discovered Portable Winch, the Canadian company that is (www.portablewinch.com) five years ago when the rep that served the dealer I was working at showed up in my office and dropped a PCW5000 on my desk and said:
Marc, you gotta try this! He smiled and left. Just like that.
I was staring at that big black plastic case and wondering what the heck just happened here??? I understood immediately after opening the case. Hell yeah brother! A portable gas-powered heavy-duty winch! I used and abused it until last year to get people out of ditches, search and rescue operations, getting my own UTV out of mud, snow and a ditch or two. You get the idea?
Huge capabilities with the 5000 but, the size and weight is an issue when hauling the full deluxe kit around.
The only thing I did not like about the 5000 was its size and weight. Kind of a bummer to carry that case around all the time especially on an ATV. Even with the hitch mount it got so dirty after a couple of hours I kind of left it at home more often than having to thoroughly clean it after every ride.
Meet the PCW3000Li, the PCW5000’s Lithium Ion powered little brother.
So, what’s the deal here? It’s a Lithium Ion battery powered winch. Woo-Hoo… I will admit, my luck with battery-powered tools has never been good. From the old ni-Cad drills that quit after a few minutes of operation to the high-end brands mechanics use. At best, they did ok but always lacked either on power or battery durability.
J.W. (The company’s national sales manager) walked in my shop with the unit with the deluxe kit with all the bells and whistles, a huge charger and two 80 volt batteries and just left it there on my table lift, smiled and said: “Try it and tell me how you like it, bye!”. Guess what? He walked out without another word.
What is it with these winch guys? Walk in, drop the product, smile and get out???
I’ll admit it, I left it in a corner for a few months… Yeah, that’s how much I wasn’t into it.
That was until a buddy of mine got stuck with his Jeep and the tow truck couldn’t (read wouldn’t) go where he was stuck. With my trusted PCW5000 gone, I had to use the electric unit.
Long story short, I did not even charge the batteries, picked up the bag and went Jeep rescuing. Hopped in my UTV and there it was at the bottom of a ditch on the dirt road going up to his cabin. I started to worry about the charge left in the batteries since I charged them once when I got it. Luckily, they still held more than 75% charge after 3 months.
Everything is there in the kit, a sling to hold the winch in place, plenty of synthetic cable and a pulley to effectively double the maximum pulling power to 2000 kg (4400 lbs) which was just enough to pull the 1800 kg Wrangler out of the ditch.
Hooking up the sling to the winch I noticed how much lighter the PCW3000Li is compared to my old gas powered 5000 series. Almost half the weight and half the size. I chuckled to myself that the Wrangler might have to stay in the ditch overnight.
Everything hooked up using a bowline knot that helps keep the line’s capacity instead of the good ole’ regular knot that is always a pain to untie after pulling a heavy load, I pressed the start button and wondered if it would pull it off.
I was expecting whine and all sorts of weird noises due to strain but nah. The 1Kw motor just chugged along with barely a hint of slowing down when the Jeep sank deep in the snowbank. A minute later, my buddy’s Jeep was back on the road. Went to his cabin, chugged a few cold ones and called it a night.
Well um, not exactly. That rescue got my internal gears going. Could it be that Portable Winch just built the perfect portable winch? It’s surprisingly powerful, lightweight and with two batteries from the deluxe kit, you have a couple of hours of operation. It’s much quieter than the gas engine models too.
One of the worst thing that can happen when you get stuck: Having no choice but to back out. That front mounted winch is not going to be very useful is it?
The build quality from Portable Winch is what caught my attention back then and it’s still the case today.
Overly built? Nahhhh… Quality materials, craftsmanship and attention to details, that’s what they are. Built with pride right here in Canada!
When you intentionally get “stuck” to have an excuse to use this winch it’s that they are, indeed, very good and fun to use! I’ve used it to rescue ATVs, UTVs, Pickups, a snowmobile or two and even a small tractor. My buddy Louis has it right now and he pulls out logs for firewood and loves it. He doesn’t want to bring it back. *Louis, I’m coming for my winch!
One of my local ATV clubs trail wardens had my unit for a while and I had a hard time getting it back! 🙂
This winch is perfect for hunters, large property owners and ATV/Snowmobile clubs. The latter either for search and rescue or to get their members unstuck in a jiffy. With the cable length only limited by how much you can carry, there’s nothing that little monster can’t winch.
Oh, and for guys like me that don’t want to walk home when “hellastuck”, it’s the perfect gizmo to get a conversation going while pulling out a perfect stranger in a bind.
One very cool feature is that charger I was talking about. It will charge a nearly dead battery in less than one hour. 15 minutes will give just a little over 50% power.
The “Deluxe” kit comes with two batteries, a mega charger, cable, pulley, carabiner hookup. You can now customize your own kit on Portable Winch’s website.
It’s grown on me since the Jeep rescue. All my personal ATVs and UTVs have a winch installed before I take them out on the trails so why carry a portable Winch?
Versatility and Portability! And It’s just too cool to find new uses for it.
KICKASS PRODUCT!
Maximum Pulling Force With Standard Drum (metric): 1,000 kg
Double Line Pulling Force With Standard Drum (metric): 2,000 kg
SPEED
1 : 8.
1 m/min
2 : 10 m/min
3 : 11.6 m/min
ROPE
Length: Unlimited
Pulling: Double braided with low stretch (not included)
Minimum Diameter (metric): 10 mm
Maximum Diameter (metric): 12 mm
Ideal diameter (metric): 10 mm
ENGINE/MOTOR & GEAR BOX
Engine/Motor: 1.0 KW Electric Motor – all positions – 82V maximum with overload protection
Clutch: N/A – Direct Drive
Gear Box and Gears: Aluminium alloy gear box. Heat treated 3-stage helical spur gears. Shafts mounted on ball bearings. Oil bath lubrication.
Gear Ratio: 200:1
Brake: Anti-reversing roller clutch bearing
Work cycle: Continuous
WEIGHT & DIMENSIONS
Weight (metric): 9.5 kg
Length (metric): 30.8 cm
Width (metric): 31.
6 cm
Height (metric): 30.9 cm
ANCHOR
Included: Polyester sling 60 mm x 2 m (PCA-1260)
WARRANTY
Private use: 2 years
Commercial use: 1 year
Engine/Motor: Portable Winch
OTHER
Certification: CE and IPX3
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information: batteries, charger and other accessories sold separately. (BASE MODEL)
FULL DISCLOSURE: The unit was given to me at no cost without promise of a positive review.
Champion Power Equipment
Champion’s Portable Winch Kit has a 3000-lb. rated line pull and a 1.3-hp DC motor. This mobile winch may be temporarily mounted to your vehicle or secure object, and offers accessories including a storage bag, winch mount, remote control, snatch block pulley, straps and more.
The Champion Power Equipment 100124 3000-lb. Portable Winch Kit includes all you need to start winching, including a portable winch mount, a roller fairlead and a remote control. Champion also includes a weather-resistant storage bag that makes it easy to safely store your winch or take it with you.
With a rated line pull of 3000 pounds, secure this winch on your ATV, side by side, snowmobile or other vehicle with the winch mount and straps to harness the strength of its 1.3-horsepower (12-volt) DC permanent magnet motor. Offering mid-span applications, this portable winch can use your vehicle frame or receiver hitch as an anchor point- no need for permanent mounting. You also have the option to mount the winch to a secure object while only relying on the vehicle as the power source.
The 45.9-foot by 3/16-inch galvanized, super-duty aircraft cable is less prone to fraying, and this incredibly strong cable is guided onto the 1.
2 by 2.9-inch drum through the roller fairlead to maximize the life of the cable.
The single-stage planetary gear system along with the free-spooling clutch and handheld remote offer excellent control. This winch features dynamic braking of the winch drum so you’ll have the stopping power you need.
With a gear reduction ratio of 153:1, the winch boasts a line speed of 3.9 feet per minute with a full load and 11.2 feet per minute with no load.
You also receive three quick-connect battery cables, two 96-inch anchor straps and four D-shackles. The included snatch block pulley can be used to increase winching power or to aid in angled pulls.
Accompanied by the heavy-duty clevis hook and handy strap, this compact and lightweight tool is anything but lightweight when it comes to power. Offering much more than a motor and a spool of rope, the Champion 3000-lb. Winch Kit is a necessary tool for any situation you might encounter.
Champion Support and our nationwide network of service centers will back up your purchase with a 2-year limited warranty and FREE lifetime technical support.
| Line Pull | 3000 lb. |
|---|---|
| Remote Length | 8 ft. |
| Gear Ratio | 153:1 |
| Gear System | Single-Stage Planetary |
| Full Load Line Speed | 3. 9 ft/min |
| No-Load Line Speed | 11.2 ft/min |
| Clutch Type | Free Spooling |
| Brake System | Dynamic |
| Rope Material | Galvanized Steel |
| Rope Length | 45.9 ft. |
| Rope Diameter | 3/16 in. |
| Fairlead Type | 4-Way Roller |
| Drum Size | 1. 2 x 2.9 in. |
| Bolt Pattern | 3.1 in. |
| Mounting Channel | Portable |
| Motor Type | 12V DC (Permanent Magnet) |
| Horsepower | 1.3 hp |
| Max Current at Full Load | 150A |
| Duty Cycle | Intermittent |
| Length | 12 in. |
|---|---|
| Width | 4.3 in. |
| Height | 4.3 in. |
| Weight | 30.2 lb. |
A winch is a must have for off-road riding. It allows you to pull a stuck ATV out of mud, water or deep ruts. Many models of CFMOTO ATVs and ATVs have a winch from the factory, for others it needs to be purchased separately. In this article, we will tell you how the winch works, what to look for when choosing, and also give useful tips on how to use it.
ATV winch is a drum with a cable. An electric motor is located on one side of the drum, and a gearbox on the other. Rotation from the electric motor to the gearbox transmits a shaft that passes inside the drum. The gears of the planetary mechanism are located in the gearbox.
Reducer reduces speed and increases traction. The rotation from the gearbox is transmitted to the drum, which winds the cable, creating traction and gradually pulling out the stuck equipment.
One of the key parameters to consider when choosing a winch is traction. It determines the maximum weight of the load that can be torn off the surface. With each skein of the drum, the winch force decreases.
Thrust is measured in pounds (labeled on winches as lbs), 1 lb = 0.45 kg. The force depends on a number of features: the diameter of the drum, the number of wound turns, the power of the electric motor, as well as the gear ratio of the gearbox.
It is not always necessary to choose the most powerful and fastest winch: the more powerful the mechanism, the more difficult it is to handle. Beginners can harm equipment and even their health - it is not uncommon for a broken cable or a broken hook to cause injury.
Matches the cubic capacity of the ATV:
Steel - cheap and easy. Requires work with gloves, not repairable. May cause injury if mishandled.
Synthetic - requires maintenance but is easy to use. It does not "shoot", and if the cable is damaged or torn, it can be braided on the spot.
Most experts believe that material choice should be based on personal preference: some riders lean towards steel over time, others towards synthetics.
The winch is installed on a special platform on the ATV frame. If there is no platform, you need to buy it and install it according to the instructions. The site has standard anchor points that fit classic winches up to 3,500 feet of pull.
When choosing a winch, pay attention to the width of the drum:
With certain skills, you can modify the fasteners and install almost any winch - the main thing is not to make the fasteners “to break” and not to strengthen weak points. If the ATV is under warranty, it is advisable not to touch the frame and buy a standard winch.
Installing the winch is easy, but the connection will have to be tricky.
To lay the wiring, it is advisable to remove the plastic from the ATV. The winch must be connected to the control unit and battery. It is recommended to keep the power cable as short as possible to avoid current loss. All wires must be hidden in the corrugation so that they do not come into contact with the frame and are protected from moisture.
If you have any questions or would like further advice on purchasing, installing, operating and maintaining an ATV or ATV winch, please contact your nearest authorized CFMOTO dealer.
Dealers CFMOTO
ATVs are the most off-road vehicles. They go where no car can go. But still, any ATV or UTV is capable of getting stuck. And the way to make it so that this is not a particular problem is obvious - you need to buy a winch for your ATV or "kibitka".
Let's try to help you.
First of all, you need to understand that the traction mechanism of small all-terrain vehicles is different from the usual, automobile. The smallest size is everything - a drum, a motor with a gearbox, rollers or a hawse for a cable. The cable itself is thinner, no more than 6 mm. A wired remote control is often shaped so that it can be attached to the handlebars of an ATV.
Accordingly, the installation parameters are different, more and more compact. In this regard, we will write here the answer to a frequently asked question: is it possible to put a winch from an ATV on a car? No, you can’t, she’s too small and weak for this, and even “for just sometimes pulling herself up” she won’t be enough.
By the way, let's answer a couple more frequently asked questions. Installing a winch on ATVs of Chinese origin, like Stels, CFMoto, etc. is no different from the process of equipping Japanese or, for example, Canadian quads with a traction mechanism. Everything is the same there.
Quad electric winches are also suitable for installation on snowmobiles, but they are usually mounted on the rear of this equipment, which is very rare on ATVs.
Let's return to the issue of dimensions. Some six thousandth auto winch can theoretically be put, for example, on a UTV. There are no differences in power supply - 12V in both cases. But you will have to invent some kind of special platform, because, as we remember, the mounting dimensions for placing the traction device for cars and ATVs are different. And why? Such power is redundant, and the weight and dimensions are large.
Since we are talking about power, let's take a closer look at this issue.
ATV winch typically has a capacity of 2000/3000/3500 LBS.
In general, there are 0.4535923745 kg in one pound. But counting using such numbers can be maddening. For convenience, simply divide the force in pounds in half - the result will not be absolutely accurate, but almost true. This is not the case when you need to beat all the numbers to the penny. That is, roughly speaking, a winch with a pulling force of 2000lbs "takes" a ton.
As we know, for normal operation, the modality of the winch in digital terms must be twice the weight of the car or ATV. Thus, the “two thousandth” winch is suitable for installation on an all-terrain vehicle weighing about 500 kg.
Well, for other scales it is not difficult to calculate the required force.
It's understandable that big UTVs are all trying to fit a 3500lb winch.
But if you do not go to trophy raids and do not participate in rallies, then you can try a weaker option. In a difficult situation, a block chain hoist will come to the rescue. It is attached to the tree on a bark-protecting sling (shackles for fastening and, most importantly, the “crust” itself should always be with you! We swan only through the sling, not allowing the trees to be destroyed!), The cable is passed through the roller and clings back to the vehicle. So the pulling force is doubled!
We recommend that you do not be lazy to use the block. If you feel that the winch is not coping, use the chain hoist, do not overheat the motor by endlessly pressing the winding button on the remote control, so it will fail sooner or later.
The same goes for side-sneaking in other difficult positions.
Yes, for example, ATV winches from our company redBTR are very reliable, but not unlimited. It is not necessary to assign all the work only to the mechanism. Turn the wheels of the all-terrain vehicle in the direction where the stretching occurs, apply gas, swing the body of the machine.
All this will facilitate the work of the winch, save it for future achievements. And at the same time, of course, it is necessary to monitor the temperature of the motor (everything is simple: the hand endures - the norm, the hand does not tolerate - overheating, it is necessary to let it cool) and the condition of the battery. After all, at peak capacities, the “traction” is able to eat out electricity very quickly.
A separate issue with the rope. As in the case of auto winches, either steel or synthetics are used here. An iron cable does not require attention, it is quite durable, but inconvenient and traumatic. Wire burrs can injure hands, and when broken, the danger of mutilation reaches, without exaggeration, lethal proportions. Therefore, the use of a cable arrester is mandatory (the weight is hung on the cable approximately in the middle, and in the event of a rush, it folds in half, and does not fly anywhere).
Synthetics are much more pleasant to work with, plus they do not sink in water, which is also convenient.
Another important advantage is low weight. For light ATVs and UTVs, this is generally very important, and especially in competitions (almost all disciplines have traction mechanisms on ATVs). Here every extra kilogram is very disturbing.
Again - synthetics are much safer than steel, but still you should not touch the stretched "rope", you should not stand right next to it in the process of running. It is also better to work with thick gloves (for iron, this goes without saying). So you will avoid the appearance of corns on the palms.
And it must be remembered that after mud baths, such a cable must be washed and dried well. Do not leave it for a long time under the snow, rain, scorching sun.
Finally, we note that even if you do not participate in off-road competitions and do not climb into the swamps, it is still better to install a winch on your ATV or side-by-side.
It gives you incredible freedom of action. You left, for example, to ride in the vicinity of the cottage, and accidentally fell into some ravine.
