while on the topic of winches, anyone know anything about black mountain winches? They have a 9000 lb'er with winch plate and roller fairlead on ebay for I think 400 or 450 bucks.

No never hear of black mountain winches my self. sorry

I know they're made in China/Taiwan/Hong Kong at the same two or three factories that make virtually all winches that are not made in the USA. I also know Collins Bros. sells them (On sale now!). Check the link, call with questions, I've found them to be friendly folks. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

agreed. collins bros. = good peoples. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I found collins Brother on the web just after I read the thread on black mountain whinches, still couldn't find much info other than they seem reasonable in price what about mile marker are they made in the usa or over seas. Im not sur if it matters the thread earlier stated his harborfreight winch worked good for four hears other than the fact it was slow. I don't know. just want to save some money yet have reliable equipment is speed a factor how slow is slow on the harbor freight winch?

If you plan on using your winch 3 or 4 times a day or 15 times a year get the fast one! If, like me, you might use it twice in 3 years it don't matter how slow it is.
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Thanks B.J. you got a good point.

All Milemarker winches are made in China. They use hydraulic motors made in the USA on their Hydraulic winches and mate them to Chinese winches in the USA. I've seen web sites (not milemarker's) that claim Milemarker winches are made in the USA but they're not. I emailed the company and got the info from them a few years ago. One thing I like about Milemarker is that they have sense enough to use 3/8" Cable on the 8000 and 9500 series winches. Warn uses 5/16". The larger cable's breaking strength is stronger by over two tons. It will take more abuse because of it's extra size remaining stronger, longer. The strength of 5/16 new cable is likely to be less than the maximum pull of even a 8000lb winch. Milemarker will send you a video for free with demonstrations showing a winch rated for 8000 lbs pulling over 10,000 lbs on first layer/bare drum pull. When they try to find a Warns (9500?) Max pull they can't because the cable breaks before the 9500 lb rating is even reached. It's fun to watch, you can order it from their website. Nominal breaking strength for 5/16 is 9800lbs I believe and 3/8 is 14,400 lbs (standard galvanized winch cable). Keep in mind cable is tested for strength brand new, straight pull only by it's manufacturer. Putting a bend in it (as on a winch drum) weakens it considerably. there is zero safety factor when using 5/16 cable and very little if any with 3/8. Just something to think about! Remember, the winches rating, 8000, 9500, etc. is NOT its Max pull, it just means the winch will pull At Least that much. (if it won't you got ripped off) <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the info on mile marker I will seek out the video thanks again jeepete.

I just watched mine again. It's a sales pitch for Milemarker winches of course, especially the hydraulic winches. The testing done is fairly bogus as far as the real world is concerned. There's no doubt for continuous winching, hydraulic is the way to go. That's the only reason the military replaced the electric Warn winches they used to use on Humvees with Milemarker hydraulics. The main thing to take from the video is the point made on cable strength. Personally, I wouldn't have a winch on a Jeep without 3/8" dia. cable minimum.