I'm a newbie to the world of ATV's. I just purchased a 2002 Polaris Sportsman 400 and it came with a Warn A2000 Winch. I purchased a Swisher dumpbucket and it's working out great except when I get the bucket loaded the winch slowly spools out and I have to consistantly reel it back in with the control. I don't know why it does this - the winch is engaged but the bucket and the load are surely no more than 300 pounds and it's rated for 2000 pounds! Any suggestions?

 

The Warn A2000 doesn't have an internal brake to prevent unspooling. Under load, it will slowly release. You can get an upgrade for it though. Warn doesn't sell the A2000 anymore, but there should be some information about it somewhere on their website.

 

Thanks for the feedback - I got an email from someone at Warn and I guess there is an optional brake kit that sounds like it should do the trick! Anyone have any experience - they claim it's easy to install.........

 

Warn is usually real good about giving complete instructions with their products. I've had my A2000 apart for cleaning before and it's not that bad. Just remember how it comes apart. If you don't get an exploded diagram of the A2000 with the brake kit, you can get one off of Montana Jack's website.

 

I have the same bucket and winch and HAD the same problem. Go to the Warn web site and buy the break. I think it was about $70. I think the one I got was for the 2500 but they are the same part number. Ask them to be sure. The break works great. I use the bucket a lot to haul everything from horse crap to dirt and sand. and the winch doesn't spool out any longer.
It's pretty easy to install. I didn't know anything about winches before I started taking mine apart. The instructions are pretty good, just don't take the motor apart unless you know what you're doing. If you don't put it back together right, you will be buying a new winch.

 

That sounds like the solution! So you have to remove the winch and install the brake internally and it's a reasonablye easy thing to do? Does the brake affect the winch performance in any other way? Thanks for the feeback! I've only been on this forum for a few days and I'm already hooked!

 

It's pretty easy. You just replace the gear, planitary gear I believe, with the one they give you. I think you have to put in a bushing too, but it's explained pretty well. The only differance is the winch doesn't spool out under load.

 

Well Starky the deed is done and it worked like a charm. I found a Warn winch brake kit on eBay and it arrived yesterday. I took that rascal apart after working up the nerve and waiting until my wife was in the shower so she couldn't talke me out of it and it works perfectly. I moved a bunch of firewood this afternoon and it didn't budge a millimeter. Thanks for your information.


Damon

 

It's a little spooky taking the winch apart, but once you get inside there isn't really much to it. Glad it worked out ok.

 

I also have a swisher bucket and found that if I use another pulley hooked to the bucket and feed the cable through it and back to the winch. It makes the bucket move at 1/2 speed and stops the slippage.