Here's something to consider: I went through deep water today and when I made it out, my P/S was lacking the P. Water had made the belt slip.

Slipping belt = no P/S pump
No P/S pump = no hydraulic winching


(And yes - I realize that electricity and water don't mix well either <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />)

Wrooooom wrooooommmm eeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkk..........P/S back to normal.



It's as simple as that <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Not if you're still in the water. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Well Phil I had one on my 93, and my 1990, and have been using them for 8 or 9 years now, and never replaced or had a power steering pump problem. I have winched for many hours at a time, some of those events I am still trying to forget. Ever use a 115 year old winch cable to extend your line? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Anyhow, as you are also aware I have run up to 12hrs on cave digs.(though most digs are only an hour or two of use) Bottom line, been through hell with hydraulics, and no problems that could not be field fixed.(like sticky clutch) Electrics stranded me several times in the few years I owned them.

Yes it's a hard one............
I have a Warn 9000lb low mount 4.6HP motor and it pulls real good but has nowhere near the speed of a high mount 8274.
The older 8274 only has a 2.5HP motor the newer ones have the 4.6HP unit for better pulling power. I think the newer ones are also waterproofed.
I'm not a fan of hydraulic winches too slow and need the car running to operate. An electric winch properly waterproofed with a proper dual battery system (twin Optima's with switching solenoid) would be my preference. The new waterproofed 8274 with 4.6Hp motor and 50 meters of synthetic line is hard to beat particularly if your driving a lot of mud/water.

Which brings us back to:


My head hurts <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Hi there Phil

what do you have? (specific model number too if you know it)
I am running a PTO. Dun mean to make anyone turn green or red.

how does it fit? (and I guess I should ask how heavy it is?)
Like a gem.

how does it operate under heavy usage (ie increase ps fluid usage, run battery down, etc.)
It has never died on me. THe whole group of us uses it for tree trunks, boulders, bogged vehicles, tricky trecherous slopes, anywhere, anyyhing as long as the engine doesn't die.

How durable is it?
Longest lasting unit in the group was since 1983 and still going. From then on, it's just constant greasing, transfer box oil change and shaft pin changes when it breaks.

Would you recommend buying brand X?
It's the original and there are many PTO winches here but not so many for the petrol fitment. Most of the time, you will need half a diesel transfer box to match the PTO attachment.

You wanna put it on your wish list and I try to source for one for you for the petrol version? I need help with tracking a Starion transplant engine with full harness and sensors as well as the manifold.

I like the idea of an electric/hydraulic combination. Milemarker hydraulic up front and something electric (probably Milemarker) in the rear. Ever try to crawl under a 4X4 to string a front mounted winch when you are already buried up to the doors? I have <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" /> and I'll tell you, it makes the extra money seem negligible.

On the other hand, I don't even have the money to make my truck 4WD again. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> But if I could, that's what I'd do.

The extra 2 hp is only seen in the line speed. They still have the same amount of pull. Personally I think my older model is already scary fast, I dont need it any faster.

The only thing that could be more waterproof on that model is the solinoid box, otherwise everything is the same. Same case, same gears, same drum: pretty cool that something the designed over 30 years is still mostly unchanged. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Hello All. Been a while since I posted, but you got to love the winch ones. I have a warn 8000M with no dual batteries. I have wicnched all day with it, granted with intervals of rest, and it only stopped once due to over heating (thanks to the built in thermo switch) and after a short rest period, worked fine. I like the ability to winch myself out of a failed water crossing if I have to, but if you going to be winching all day a hydraulic would be a better way to go.

PS - I almost always use a snatch block

PSPS - Before mounting mine I took it apart and sealed everything with that copper colored stuff.