Well, I own a John Deere Gator 6X4 and I have a 2500 winch on there too. I also have a 700 that has the same winch. The only reason I see you need a 3000 is if your going to be pulling a utlity vehicle out of the mud. It took 3 or 4 can't remember to well to pull mine out. It was pretty fun to watch but not that much fun to get stuck. I'd still go with the 2500 tho.

 

I also have a warn 2500ci on my 05 sportsman 700. Check out Breese Lawn and Garden out of Breese, IL. He runs them on Ebay and you can just cut the wait and call them up direct at (618) 526-4980. I ended up buying the 800 header and pure white bros silencer, front and rear brushguards and the rack extensions also. They are really easy to work with and will take credit cards over the phone even the polaris star card. One note on the 2500ci, it is a bit offset to the left of the machine, so it will not look center. The 3000ci is center. You will also have to cut a hole in the front plastic guard for the fairlead to come out. I have used my 2500 several times. It will yank a yamaha grizzly out of Lake Barkly, KY with ease. It is also very water resistant, I have tested this thoroughly, haha. What ever your choice, deffinately shop around good deals are out there. Good luck.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img]

 

Deathbloom and others: FYI. You mention about having to cut the front plastic for the winch. As an option, Polaris does have a replacement front panel with the cutout already there. The P/N is 5436044-070 and cost me $20. A little pricy but saved me from having to do the cutting. Just thought some others out there would like to know.

 

I have a 3000 pound winch and have maxed it out a few times. Although I think that may be due to a lack of power being supplied to the winch, not necessarily a lack of power in the motor itself. Do our stators/batteries provide enough power to run these winches at their full capacities?

 

I upgraded to a 3.0 winch on my 700 only because I like the looks of it better. The 2.5's don't look centered on the machine and the 3.0 does.