today was my first real extraction using the highlift as a winch. it'll make ya sweat for sure! as a half hour passed i thought to myself "fred would make fun of me for taking 30 minutes to get out of a 5 minute extraction with a winch!"

the thing works great (better than any passengers grunt) but got dirty fast and fought with me after that. anyone know a good way to keep the thing clean? it lays on the ground every time i set up for the next 5 feet of pull and if it wasn't muddy i wouldn't have needed it!

it payed for itself today alone and the strap and towchain and clevices combo is perfect for relengthening the chain for the next 5 feet.

Don't lay it down! LEAN it on something.. I've had mine is some swamps for many years and never had it dirty enough to slow it down.
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

WELLLL, even though I have a Warn M8000, here is an idea from no experience with using it as a winch. (I do have one, just don't use it as a winch) Get a piece of canvas that is as long as the jack and put an eye in it then hook it to the leading edge of the jack. As you use the jack, the canvas will follow underneith it. When you drop tension on the jack and it drops to the ground, it will drop right on the canvas instead of the mud. What do you think? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> No, Tom, I wouldn't make fun of you! When you're stuck, you're stuck. Do what ever you have to do to get home.
I've been in a similar situation last fall with my Ramsey winch; my thoughts were pretty much the same thing when Superdawg (Warn winch proponent) had set the tree saver strap and D-ring, and pulled the wire rope out to the base of the tree . . . and then only to have the Ramsey's solenoid fail! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Superdawg did not say a word, we just changed strategies and used a tow strap to get me back onto the snow covered trail.

Bring lots of wd-40...and keep it lubed up real well

right on guys, thanks! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> i'll probably just keep it wrapped in canvas from now on and add a can of wd to the always stocked lithium grease. i would just lean the thing up if it werent attached so well and had an extra arm to hold onto it. and if i keep the top of the jack attached to the tree it'll fall in the same spot every time. shoulda had the camera. it was burried good! left the dragged axle print with pumkin groove across the mud. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" /> and btw...i thought my solenoid might just burn up. twas alot like work!

Been there, done that, then bought a winch! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> Glad your solenoid is still working! So, what's it going to be? A longer Hi-lift? come-a-long? only wheel with a buddy who has a winch? or, are you going to finally buy your own winch? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

2x6 and a highlift jack is a dune goers best friend.

Have you got the jack mounted outside? Go to Home Depot and buy 2 chain link "stand offs" (about $5.00) and mount the jack across the rear of the roll bar inside the rear window. Can't have it outside living in the sand/salt belt. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />