Harbor Freight (Chicago Brand) Winches???

metal_kid17 · 12-09-2008, 01:07 AM

Anyone have any experience with them? A friend of mine has a brand new 10,000# one that he's willing to let go of for prettttttty cheap.

Brandon_YJ · 12-09-2008, 02:17 AM

How cheap is "pretty cheap"?

There's a few guys on here with them.
In my opinion, if I planned on "using" a winch, I'd invest in a reputable one.
If it was just for emergency (last resort) uses, then I'd consider the Harbor Fake one... depending on the price you can get it for.

Cbaughn · 12-09-2008, 02:49 AM

I read an article and the Chicago Electric actually placed 3rd in the contest, I think the Superwinch or some other company and I know definitely that the Warn placed above it, but all others were below in the competition, and it was one of those killer competitions where they try to break them. Didn't sound like a bad deal.

Tj's Yj · 12-09-2008, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandon_YJ

How cheap is "pretty cheap"?

There's a few guys on here with them.
In my opinion, if I planned on "using" a winch, I'd invest in a reputable one.
If it was just for emergency (last resort) uses, then I'd consider the Harbor Fake one... depending on the price you can get it for.

harbor fake! I like that

Matt Graham · 12-09-2008, 05:32 AM

Questions like this have come up time & time again. Be sure to use that search feature. You can get the info. you want a lot faster!

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=630262&highlight=Harbor+Freight+w inch

Good luck!

spd500 · 12-09-2008, 06:33 AM

I have a HF winch on a tilt trailer at work that we use to haul forklifts and equipment . It has only been on there for about 6-8 months , but is used regularly . So far we have not had any problems with it at all . I was not really that impressed with the mounting plate though , looked kinda light . I had the guys in the shop fab a more solid plate to mount it on before welding it onto the trailer . I have personally used the winch several times for various things and have actually been really impressed with it . I am thinking about adding one to the front of my Jeep just to have onhand incase I ever need it .

metal_kid17 · 12-10-2008, 12:08 AM

Well I'm not worried bout the plate. When I built my bumper I made it double as its own winch mount. But I can get the 8,000 for like 150 with everything.

admisgd · 12-10-2008, 12:21 AM

I've had the HF 10k winch on my jeep for well over a year now. I can tell you it is slow but has never let me down. On a side note my brother got stuck in some soft sand with his full size dodge and a 30' boat. I put the Jeep on solid ground with a bit of bracing the winch had him pulled out in under 5 mins of work.

IGotADisneyJeep · 12-10-2008, 08:30 AM

Here's my response from one of the threads that talked about the HF winch.

I Love My Chicago Electric 9,000lbs winch

I got it in March 2005 and switched my wire cable on March 2007 with a Viking synthetic winch line thats 3/8"x 90' with 10" line protector. The breaking strength on the Viking line is 19,600lbs. I also have the Excel Yellow safety hook and my fairlead is Aluminum by SpiderTrax

It an awesome winch, pulls strong and finishes the job. It is slow but, It does it's job perfectly. I have used it many times and have not had a single problem with it. I do test my winch every month so, it can work properly. I also grease all the parts and use Di Electric grease on the electrical parts so, It will not get rusted and keeps water from getting into it.

I use my winch for emergency usages & for major recoveries. When we offroad, We try to recover or aid our jeeps with recovery straps first. If that does not work then we'll use our winches. Using recovery straps first is quick and fast and helps the life on your winch. Try to save the life time on your winch and use a strap first. Many times you just need a small tug to recover a rig thats stuck and a recovery strap is easy and fast.

If you take care of your winch like I do...
Your winch will last & work for a long time.

My Chicago Electric Winch ROCKS!

1998zj · 12-10-2008, 10:15 AM

I got stuck last Saturday and my buddy with a HF winch tried to pull me out. It moved me a little bit and then stalled and started smoking REAL bad. I found another guy to help that had a Warn and he pulled me out no problems. When I buy my winch it will be a Warn. Is it worth a couple hundred bucks to have it break down on you when you really need it.

Skeezer · 12-10-2008, 11:36 AM

You won't find a better winch for the money. I have buddies who have been running them for years with no problems. And running them hard. The only complaint i'd have is that they are painfully, but that's not a big deal.

**Jerry Bransford** · 12-10-2008, 03:36 PM

I'm a regular customer of Harbor Freight Tools but I wouldn't touch one of their Chinese-built winches.

Happy Joe · 12-11-2008, 09:28 AM

I touched one!...EWWW; gotta remember to wash my hands!

They are slow, but probably better than nothing.

Actually purchased one to run out the back for use with a tree strap as a retractable anchor point (the Warn on the front would do the actual winching). Haven't gotten around to installing it though.

Enjoy!