i was reading a article on winches and it said that the only difference between superwinch 1500 and 2000 was the cable size and length? is that true? i got a sportsman stuck (rear wheels only) and a polaris with a superwinch 1500 didnt even move me!! thanks

 

I don't have a winch, but three of my buddies bought Superwinches, and had nothing but trouble with them, they've all since bought Warn winches, and haven't had a problem.

 

The ATV2000 has 50' of 5/32" cable, the T1500, 25'. The ATV2000 has an internal spring brake (for holding loads, like a snowplow blade) standard.

There may be some other minor differences, but the hardware otherwise between the ATV2000 & T1500 seems to be the same.

If your winch stalled, you might consider a ****** block (doubles pull poundage). A ****** block is a good idea, regardless of you winch choice. However, from the situation you describe, sounds like you have either an incorrect hookup (e.g., bad electrical connections (loose/corroded/inadequate wire)) or a defective winch or switch. Superwinch customer service (860) 928-7787/jack@superwinch.com can help.

Tree Farmer

 

Thanks for sharing the experience of your three friends with Superwinch products, TheQuadfather!

Since you provide no details on the failure mode(s), operational or maintenance situation; I will not comment on your friends' disappointment. However, I'll share some of my own personal and direct experience with Superwinch products.

My Superwinch ATV1500, bought new in the year of 1978 (originally, a dealer-installed factory option for the 1978 Subaru "station wagon"), is still going strong. With the ****** block (that came with the Subaru kit), that winch has rescued me and my companions many times, including when we were SOME STUCK; as late as last year, the same winch, now mounted on a friend's King Quad, cleared a course of fallen trees for an AMA-sanctioned event.

Both Warn and Superwinch, used according to directions in their user manuals, perform as advertised, IN MY EXPERIENCE; can't say about your buddies whom you say dumpstered hundreds of dollars worth of Superwinch products.

Speaking only from my own experience (and I've owned several of each brand; current ATV winch: Superwinch 3000 # X2 w/solenoid kit), both Warn and Superwinch products perform satisfactorily; I'd recommend confidently either to you, if you should ever decide to obtain a winch yourself. I'd also recommend: get a ****** block, regardless of winch chosen.

Again, thanks for sharing your friends' experience.

Tree Farmer

 

the 1500# superwinch didnt have a ****** block or a roller fairlead. as far as the question about the 2 winches i was just wondering. im not looking at geting one. but once in a while i see some good deals on the 1500#. if both the winches are basically the same why not buy the cheaper 1500#.
thanks

 

I agree, if you don't need the extra 25' of wire rope or the internal spring brake, the T1500 appears to be the better buy.

BTW FYI, the Warn A2000 and A2500 have identical motors and geartrains (the A2500 has remote switch and solenoid ("contactor") control, vs. the A2000's rotary switch).

Tree Farmer

 

To date I’ve owned 2 Super Winches and 3 Warn A2000s. The Super Winches have been installed on Max 6x6 machines and have proved to be anything but super. I think the first was a 1500 or 2000 pull, can’t recall. The motor needed to be rebuilt annually due to its aversion to contact with water. Fortunately there used to be a factory authorized service facility locally, but I paid for that winch at least 3 times while I owned it. The second SW is a 2500# puller and currently on my ’97 Max IV. It hasn’t had any of the water problems that the previous model did, but the lever that operates the free spool has plagued me with problems and still does. All 3 Warns I’ve owned have proven to be completely trouble free and they’ve been used and exposed to harsher conditions that the SWs have.

I once complained on this forum that the Super Winches make a sound like nuts and bolts in a blender during operation, compared to the Warns which sound more like a well oiled machine. At that comment I was asked who cares about the sound, as long as it does the job? That’s a valid point but the sound of the SW compared to the Warn doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence in construction/design. The SW that is on our Max will be my last. Warn has earned my business and gets my vote.

My winches have been and are all wired directly to the battery without the “benefit” of a solenoid. Yeah, I know what can happen. But none of mine have failed me as a consequence of this practice, unlike others who’ve suffered from faults in their wiring at the worst possible moments. I prefer my safety equipment to be simple and reliable.