Using an ATV winch as a hoist?

[isaac338]

I saw this thread (http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8563&showall=1) and it got me thinking. I have recently constructed a loft in my garage and my plan was to use a boat winch to haul the dirt bikes up there for the winter to free up some floor space.

After doing some more thinking, there's some fundamental problems with my plan, so I'd like to do something like the above.

What do you all think of using a 2000lb ATV winch for this? I can get one of those used for about $75, while those 440lb hoists are $150 at Princess Auto.

 

[Teikas Dad]

Make sure it has a brake on it. I have a 2000lb winch on the front of my Rhino and it pulls a load no problem. The only problem is when you stop...it will pull back. For example, I used it to lift the snowplow that I have mounted to the front of the Rhino. Lifts great..but as soon as I release the switch the plow would slowly lower back to the ground. If you get your bike halfway up to the loft and need to stop, you don't want the winch unwinding on you.

 

[isaac338]

Yeah, that's something I considered - thanks for the reminder.

 

[Auzivision]

Just FYI...

The Harbour Frieght 440 LB electric hoist is often on sale for $69, with the always available 20% of coupon, can be had for $55.

 

[ovilla]

I got my HF 1300 hoist for $99 during the Thanksgiving. I'm sure there's some Christmas deals going on right now.

 

[Griff93]

Using a ****** block would help when using it like this as it would only have to lift half the load due to the pulley. I bought a 6000 lbs snatchblock for my atv for around $20.

 

[akdiesel]

I would not rely on the winch brake to hold the load if you plan on getting on the platform or getting below the lifted load. I would incorporate a lock system seperate from the winch for safety.

 

[kbs2244]

Most hoists are worm drive so that they will be self locking.
Most winches are planetary drive so they can free wheel.
Two different designs for two different purposes.
I am all for thinking outside the box.
But do your homework before you put something heavy over your head.

 

[raildawg]

no atv a atv winsh is not made for that kind of load.would hate to see anybody get hurt.

 

[t. jones]

If you buy the powerfist stuff from princess make sure you engineer it to come on and off easily . First one worked 10 min. second not at all 3rd 10 secs. At least their warr. is good they gave me full credit towards a superwinch which works fine. I use for the exact application you ask of.
Thanx Trevor

 

[isaac338]

The HF prices are great but it's not worth the 24 hour round-trip drive, frankly.

The brake will only be used for a brief second while I slide the load over the loft and then lower it down. I wouldn't stand underneath a suspended load no matter what, using a winch OR a hoist.

I got a brand new 2000lb Champion winch still sealed in the box for sixty bucks. If it doesn't work worst case is I drop a dirt bike 8 feet onto the ground (believe me, my bikes have had worse falls) and I'm out sixty bones.

The guy I bought it from said his buddy is using an identical winch for an identical application and it works fine. I know this could likely just be a sales pitch but at least he didn't scream in horror when I told him what I was doing.

Thanks for the advice, guys, I'll post pics when it's all assembled.

 

[brittlediabetic]

I was considering buying an electric hoist from Harbour
Freight or Princess
Auto. I read through the Owners Manuals of numerous $100 to $200 units. There is a Warning in each Manual "Do Not Lift Persons or Animals" also make sure no living thing is on or under the load being lifted.

 

[isaac338]

I was considering buying an electric hoist from Harbour
Freight or Princess
Auto. I read through the Owners Manuals of numerous $100 to $200 units. There is a Warning in each Manual "Do Not Lift Persons or Animals" also make sure no living thing is on or under the load being lifted.

I assume that rule goes without saying for any piece of equipment, and especially so for chicom stuff.

 

[Ligito]

My buddy used a HF 440 lb winch to pull his ATV up some 12 ft ramps onto a 50 inch high platform. It burned the motor up after a very short time.
He then bought the HF 880 lb winch and it works much better.
I personally have no faith in the HF chinese motors.

 

[rwhite692]

I have used a small ATV winch for this purpose...nothing over around 250 pounds, though. I use one to install/remove my superglide fifth wheel hitch from the bed of my pickup. The HF one also comes with a wireles remote...pretty handy.

 

[autoist]

I have a 2,500lb Warne winch off an ATV on my car trailer with a pulley & hook doubling the winch's capacity to 5,000lb.....never had any problem pulling anything that would fit onto my trailer up onto it.

 

[limerick]

Me thinks you guys not think...

Those load ratings are best left considered as pulling a rolling load.
Imagine winching a 4500lb car with inflated tires onto a trailer using ramps.

What do you think that ATV winch has to pull to get that car with little rolling
resistance onto the trailer? Maybe about 200-350 lbs of force max?

I use a 12v Harbor Freight winch (so-called "2000 lb" capacity)on a 'yard arm'
type of winching arrangement on the back of my E350 van to lift my 7000
watt chicom generator to a swinging height where I can then position (swing)
it inside my van. (Take it to jobsites occasionally to run welder.) The genny
weighs about 250 lbs or so, fueled up. I can hear the winch groaning under the load. So I KNOW for a fact that it would NOT pull a full 2000 lb load without first stalling the motor, blowing the fuse and generally being overworked on the motor.

Just sayin, and just my opinion. Be my guest to disagree with me or agree
with me.

Ron

Just for clarification, I have no doubt for example that a full on winch such as found on
a 4x4 bumper can in fact pull its rated duty given enough current, electrical cabling and
proper consideration for cooling off periods. I just don't put a lot of stock in the $50-100
chicom stuff for doing what it's label states, or for very long in terms of life expectancy.

That said, I have a project in mind for over at my workshop in moms garage that the 440
lb 120 volt winch with a block pulley will work quite handily at. Expected load about 150-
200 lbs ultimately.

 

[LWW]

This thread is a little old, but since it just popped back to the top, I'll add my 2 cents. A winch is designed and rated for a "rolling load". Not a "drag" load.

A hoist is designed and rated for a "drag" load.

 

[kbs2244]

Actualy a hoist is rated for a "lift" load.
That means picking it up into the air with no other support.

 

[indep99]

hi
i got a 1500lbs electric winch from ct and all i want to use it for is to hoist a tire up and down, would that work if i attached it to the ceiling... i figured its not a heavy load

 

[whi73shadow_x13]

i will figure out how to post a picture in a moment but i made a lift for my truck that has no jacks going to the ground and using a harbor freight 2500lb winch and it has no problem picking up 500 or so lbs so far and seems to hold the weight though i have not left it sitting for more than a minute or so. i use a pulley to double the lifting power.

 

[Showkey]

Old thread that came back to life...........but you still need two pulleys to gain mechanical advantage. One pulley only changes direction no advantage gain.

YouTube physics lesson:

 

[kbs2244]

The pull vs lift argument is VERY valid.
A winch rating is not hoist rating.
If you are using a winch to lift I would de-rate it by at least a factor of 10
(1000 lbs pull equals 100 lbs lift.)

And I would still walk fast if the load was over my head.

 

[ATC]

I would have zero issues using a winch to lift objects. People have been doing it for decades.

 

[finn]

I would have zero issues using a winch to lift objects. People have been doing it for decades.

Just goes to show that there are a lot of really stupid people out there.

A lifting device, ie a hoist, needs a brake.

Lots of kluges work...until they don’t, and someone gets hurt because they are too cheap to get the right tool, engineered for the job.

 

[Sureshot]

Old thread that came back to life...........but you still need two pulleys to gain mechanical advantage. One pulley only changes direction no advantage gain.

YouTube physics lesson:

Not true in all cases. The load on the anchor point of the single is doubled. If you put the ****** block on the load and anchor the live end of the cable you double the force.

 

[ed_v]

Hopefully he figured it out in the last 9 years!

 

[My Old Tools]

Yep, old thread. HF overhead hoists will lift their rated load. I have had 2000# on mine a few times. Also the brake will hold the rated load. I wouldn't risk it to save $150-200 bucks. I also wouldn't stand under anybody's hoist, ever.

 

[CamaroMan]

old thread but I was in HF today, picked up the ATV 2500 winch, it's about 1/3 to 1/4 of the weight of the 1300 lbs rated electric hoist.

so I'm sure theres a difference in the construction. I never stand under a hoist, ever. I dont care who made the hoist.. both guys at my shop have been repeatedly told never ever ever stand under any load.

we pick fully dressed motors up 10ft for boats..

 

[kbs2244]

A 100 lb tire/wheel would be a heavy one
Go for it

 

[Duster]

Old thread that came back to life...........but you still need two pulleys to gain mechanical advantage. One pulley only changes direction no advantage gain.

Old informations but still not true.

If you attach the said pulley to the load (so it becomes a traveling ****** block) and anchor the end of the cable (same direction than the pulling force), you double the pulling force.

I'm too new in here to post links...but Google it

 

[Don1357]

I was thinking about doing something just like this until I started trying to work out the expense of how to power it. Providing it with enough amps is not trivial and can be convoluted.

I ended up buying a 16' lift 1 ton chain hoist and can't be happier. I effortlessly lifted a 520# 15" planer to my second floor and I have no wires, power, or batteries to mess with.

 

[bromley]

I use mine all the time. Works great.

 

[Showkey]

Old informations but still not true.

If you attach the said pulley to the load (so it becomes a traveling ****** block) and anchor the end of the cable (same direction than the pulling force), you double the pulling force.

I'm too new in here to post links...but Google it

Count the pulleys watch the video


^NO mechanical advantage^

 

[DeeKay]

Count the pulleys watch the video


^NO mechanical advantage^

I think you guys are saying the same things. Pretty sure duster is saying the winch/hoist would be where the orange pulley is in your second picture.

 

[dogdog]

Count the pulleys watch the video


^NO mechanical advantage^

You can accomplish mechanical advantage with one pulley if you are using that electric hoist. The hoist is the 2nd pulley. and the effort.

I don't know about other hoist... the 440LB and 800LB ones from HF came with the pulley hook for the load.

I don't think the winch came with the pulley/hook... and besides that point... is the winch even rated to pull vertical loads safety wise? I am always afraid of it free wheeling down once it's up in the air.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

A winch is rated for rolling weight not lifting.

 

[Plastikosmd]

Winch w ****** block to load does increase your pull ability
You also gain some advantage as less line on the drum is easier for the winch to pull on

See link below: for pics and diagram explanation, also good read for when u are stuck
The single line pully posted above is not the same physical example as
Rotatory winch and ****** block when hooked back to itself
https://www.offroaders.com/winch-tech/how-to-double-your-winch-power/

https://www.offroaders.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/******-Block-Diagram.png

 

[CTyankee]

A winch is rated for rolling weight not lifting.

That's what I always thought..

 

[BukitCase]

"I don't know about other hoist... the 440LB and 800LB ones from HF came with the pulley hook for the load. "

DogDog, they all do; I have an 880, 1100, 1300 (2) and 2 2000's (Cranky old fart, multiple areas and tired of paying for pleasure with PAIN)- every one came with a ****** block, and every one is RATED ONLY with that ****** block.

Without the block, the 880 is a 440, etc. Also, given my confidence in Chicom stuff I tend to divide ANY of their ratings by at least two ... Steve