Use of Ranger Winches?

Depends....

you talking about a Ford Crown Victoria or a Nissan Sentra? I would say neither if they are buried down to the frame/underbody, but both if they have simply lost traction.

Every situation is different, but typically the winch will bog to the point where you know its over strained before something breaks. Since you are new to winches, do plenty of reading on safety precautions and follow them regularly....

Generally, I have found that if you are not stuck and you are pulling someone who is stuck (be it a car or another wheeler) you will skid toward the stuck vehicle before you stall out a 4500-5000lb winch.

I have stalled a 4500lb winch with a single line pull on the first wrap of the winch drum when I was stuck to the frame in peanut butter mud. I use my winch exclusively for mud.

ChrisH said:

Generally, I have found that if you are not stuck and you are pulling someone who is stuck (be it a car or another wheeler) you will skid toward the stuck vehicle before you stall out a 4500-5000lb winch.

I have stalled a 4500lb winch with a single line pull on the first wrap of the winch drum when I was stuck to the frame in peanut butter mud. I use my winch exclusively for mud.

Click to expand...

Typically in those situations, you have to tie off to a stationary object.... such as running a tow strap around a tree and backing your ranger close enough to said tree to enable you to fasten the strap to the ranger's tow hitch...

They will pic the Ranger up high enough to swing it over a fence ,If you can find a Tree big enough,or pick a 550 pound elk up so you can back under it,There are many uses for a GOOD WINCH,pulling fence post out of hard ground,pulling your boat up a steep River Bank ,,Like I said MANY USES,oh they work very well pulling Barb Wire Tight over long distance Throw a rope through the fork of a tree Pull your 20 Ladder Stand up ,,Many uses.

Thanks for all the replies; very helpful.

Just don't use it to tie down the machine for transport. That's a no-no.