i am considering buying a winch for my cat. i have two options a superwinch or a warn winch. the superwinch is smaller and lighter but looks a little cheap, the warn is larger and heavier but has a little more aesthetic appeal. which winch would you recommend? also, can i buy a receiver type mount so i can use the winch front and rear or is a custom fabricated mount my only option?

 

If you go to my Team Insano Link in my signature then read what I said in the Winches page I think you will have a VERY easy time deciding.

I personally would recomend the Warn 2500 to you. Or if you do make a custom reviever mount and CAN afford the Rule GET IT. You will NOT regret it. The reason I say the warn is cause you will have ALOT easyier way of mounting it with a mount you buy. If you make one-- you might as well get the Rule since you are customizing it already.

I called Hitch Hopper up yesterday and talked to someone over there. I also faxed them a set of blueprints I had drew up so hopefully they could get started on it. They WILL try it, but not till AFTER they finish the mount for the Rubicon(Hitch hopper mount due out in January for the Rubicon) and Kawa 650(the 650 IT SELF is not due out till like march). So, if you want to have a recvier mount before the end of summer, make your own.

 

Best? You'd have to define the word.

Superwinch T1500 and ATV2000 have identical motors and geartrains; so do the Warn A2000 and A2500. You're going to get about the same amount of pull between these two brand pairings (BTW, the Superwinch pulled 2400 pounds stall after nine hours continuous operation totally submerged in mud and water).

As to "looks cheap," the molecules in the cable are unconcerned about looks; in fact, the Superwinch has superior materials (steel vs. plastic) in some critical applications, compared to Warn. This comment doesn't criticize Warn materials or design (surely, both are adequate); instead, points out the fact looks aren't everything.

Of the models discussed, only the Superwinch ATV2000 has an internal spring brake standard (extra on all others), useful for holding a load (like a snowplow blade) without slipping.

Summarizing, T1500 has 25 ft. of wire rope; all others mentioned have 50 ft. Only the A2500 has a remote-switch activated solenoid ("contactor") control unit standard; the Superwinch products have handlebar mounted rocker control switches; the A2000 has a rotary switch. Of the winches mentioned, the Warns have more powerful motors, higher current drain (188 amps at 2500 pounds pull, your ATV battery won't sustain this load for long), faster line speed, are bigger and heavier, and cost more.

Regardless of the nay-sayers, both Superwinch and Warn produce quality products (I've owned and used both), both firms have excellent customer service departments; both product lines are adequate for ATV applications, certainly if you get a ****** block to double your pulling force and make angle pulls easy.

Check the price (nominally, T1500 < $150; A2000 < $300) and features and buy the one you like best; of the choices available discussed so far, you can't make a bad decision. I have no experience with Rule and must defer to the only known example of an ATV owner I'm aware of to rate that product's performance; namely, Boner. I believe the price is somewhere around < $500 for a rated 3300 pound winch.

BTW, Suzuki runs a current promotion with the Superwinch X1, a winch more comparable to the Warn A2000/A2500 than the T1500/ATV2000.

Get the winch you like; READ your owner's manual and follow its instructions (like, always spool your cable under tension), and you and the riders you rescue from the muck will be glad you did.

Diogenes

 

I have had 3 superwinches & with a little luck will never have another!!!!!! New Cat has Warn & works & sound good but only time will tell, big plus for the Warn is the Cat mounting plate fits so good.

 

Why would you not have another (fourth) Superwinch, sxr6? Since the Superwinch is more compact than the Warn, will it not fit on the Warn mounting plate?

Diogenes

 

Diogenes:
Great winch post! Would have figured it to be T.F., had I not seen your signature.

TexasCat:
Personnally, I prefer the Warn winches. Are they better? Maybe, maybe not. I've just had around 12+ years experience with various makes and models of Warn winches from the huge 12,000 lbs., clear down to the A2000, currently in use on my 'Cat. Why do I stick with them? They are a great winch, trouble free, and the customer service at Warn is outstanding. -My buddy and I stripped a gear on an XD9000i on the front of a Jeep, about 6 months out of the warranty (already expired). Called them up, asked them about it, what to do, they said ship it back to them. We sent it back UPS, and about a month later, received a completely rebuilt winch at no charge, plus our shipping costs back! They apologized for the inconvenience, said that even tough it was out of warranty, it was a failure on their part, so they stood behind it. If that ain't excellent service, I don't know what is. That winch to date is still installed on that same Jeep, without another problem since.

Whatever winch you choose, it's personal preference, just make sure you get one! You won't be sorry. I tend to think that the winch is the single best investment you can make for any utility quad.

Best of luck,

Mike

 

WARN! WARN! WARN! USED BOTH SIDE BY SIDE TWO WEEKS AGO DRAGGING FALLEN LOGS OFF A CREEK BED SO OUR CATTLE COULD GET THROUGH. WARN 2000 ON MY CAT AND SUPERWINCH 2000 FRIENDS YAMAHA GRIZZ. MINE JUST REALLY SEEMED TO HAVE MORE MUSCLE. NOT JUST PARTIAL BECAUSE IT'S MINE BECAUSE I CONSIDERED BOTH. I THINK THE SWITCH ON THE WARN IS ALOT BETTER ALSO, HE HAD PROBLEMS WITH HIS WHEN IT RAINED ON US. AND BY THE WAY, MY CAT WOULD TAKE THAT GRIZZ ANYDAY!

 

I've owned and used both Warn and Superwinch products; both performed as advertised; customer service from both companies has been outstanding.

Buy what you like; you can't go wrong. Eric Baatz and I cleared the AMA-sanctioned Little Fort Trail Ride course of fallen trees this year with his made-in-1968 Superwinch ATV1500 and a ****** block; no problemo; I'm sure a Warn of the same vintage would have worked as well.

Tree Farmer

 

I had a warn 2500 installed on my AC500 manual and boy can it tow and move stuff. Get a roller fairlead on whatever you buy. I have so problems with it and it even saved my buddy's polaris 325 expedition from a watery/muddy grave. The mounting plate is great. Very clean look. Very nice overall product.