4x4 Winches Explained

By Author: Vikram Kumar
Total Articles: 9511
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4x4 winches are essentially devices where a motor is connected to a spool of rope or wire, allowing the line to be reeled in mechanically with a large amount of force. These are mounted on vehicles designed to travel off-road to aid in clearing obstructions from the path such as fallen trees and logs, and also to pull the vehicle out in the event that it becomes stuck in the mud. A winch can be mounted at either end of a vehicle, depending on the intended use for it as well as the available mounting points.

Generally, they are powered through a connection to the car battery, allowing them to be used even when the vehicle engine is not running. There are limits to the amount of power that can be provided by the battery, however, and some heavy-duty models draw their power directly from the vehicles engine. This latter type requires that the vehicle engine be running in order for it to operate.

Cables

Many people are probably familiar with the steel cable that previous winch versions commonly used. The cable was made up of multiple steel fibers that were braided together in the same manner as a rope, forming ...
... a relatively strong cable. The problem with steel cables, however, was that they had a tendency to break under extremely high tension. When steel cables broke, there would be a sudden release of all the energy built up within the cable, and the cables would whip about, potentially causing serious injuries.

The modern winch now makes use of a synthetic cable instead of a steel cable. Synthetic cables, unlike steel cables, do not flail around when they break. They can also be manufactured to have a higher breaking point than steel cables, making them particularly suited for use for with heavy-duty winches designed to move heavier loads. When a synthetic cable does break, the ends simply go loose and drop, thus removing any possibility of injury being caused by cable breakage. There is also the added advantage of the winch not being jerked back against its mounting, keeping the mounting secure.

Front And Back

It is becoming common practice among off-road enthusiasts to mount two winches to their vehicle. The disadvantage of doing so is that each device adds weight to the vehicle, and when traveling through rough terrain, weight is often an issue. The advantage, however, is the increase versatility. Having a winch mounted to the front of the vehicle can be extremely useful as the driver then has a clear view from the driver’s seat of whatever object in front of the car that is being moved by the winch.

A winch mounted to the rear of the vehicle, on the other hand, is useful for getting out of situations where the vehicle is stuck. This often happens to off-road vehicles when they run into mud or other types of soft ground, and the sheer weight of the vehicle causes it to sink in and become stuck. By attaching their rear-mounted 4x4 winches to a stable object such as a large tree, owners can pull their vehicles out of the mud.

4x4 winches are remarkably useful and versatile devices, particularly in off-road situations, and if you are looking to purchase your own winch , then the Sherpa 4x4 store should be your next stop!