Responses to my ATV Plowing thread suggested I get a winch to lift the plow and for other obvious purposes. I have ordered a Sportsman 500HO with deluxe plow frame which should arrive pretty soon. I really can't afford a winch, but ...., I have some questions:

Does the Warn 2000 (about $380 with mount and fairlead online or $460 from dealer) have a switch that will mount on the handlebar and 50' cable (literature is unclear)?

What about Superwinch ATV2000 (about $189 for winch plus $80 for mount kit that includes fairlead)? It is decent?

The Superwinch T1500 is a lot cheaper ($129 plus $80) and is pretty much the same machine except only 25' cable. Can cable be spliced?

Will it be obvious how to connect it to the plow. Should I keep the manual lift $89 or will it not fit if the winch is installed
Are these straightforward to install?

Is it stupid not to just suck it up and get a Warn?

 

The 2000 WARN winch can be purchased for $299 from Rocky MountainATV.com. There is NO advantage from buying from a dealer! You will only pay more. Shop the internet on ATV sites and you will save a ton of $$$$. WARN is an EXCELLENT product and the 2000LB model will be pleanty powerful.

The installation is not difficult (we installed on on my brother's 500) to install.


I wished I would have talked to you two days ago because I sold a 2000 LB WARN winch kit (including the bracket $39) for $280 (a $350 value).

 

HillCat-
Weedy is right, the Warn 2000 is plenty, and the dealer will only cost you more. The difference between the A2000 and the 2,500 Warn winches are slight-the 2,500 has a different solenoid, different switch and larger wiring. That is all. The internal motor, the case, line and housing are all identical. So, unless the different switch is worth $100+ to you, I say stick with the A2000. The other thing you have to consider is the quad does not produce enough power (amps) to power any of the atv winches (even the superwinch 1,500) at full rated power. In fact, even revving the quad at high rpms will still only produce a fraction of the power needed to operate the winch at full rated line draw-it just isn't capable of putting out that kind of power. With that said, any of the winches are more than enough for a quad. For line pulls, I highly recommend getting yourself a good ****** block-this doubles your winching abilities, and makes it easier for the machine as well. However, with a snow plow, you're only talking the first couple feet of cable anyway, and a ****** block is not necessary in this application. For other chores, definately.

No, the A2000 does not come with the remote handlebar switch. Again, that is part of the upgrade to the 2,500, for the $100+ price tag. NO, I would not pay the $450 to your dealer, he is making a killing on that sale alone. Do a search on the internet, you can find them a lot cheaper. Like Weedy said, Rocky Mountain has good prices, and I think atvpartsdepot or something like that has also had good prices-below $300 if I remember right.

Following the instructions, yes they are fairly easy to install-the hardest part being routing your wiring all nice and tucked away out of sight, and out of harms way of a flying stick or something that may reach up and try to grab the wires if dangling in a bad position. My guess is maybe a couple hours of your time. Yes, they are fairly obvious as to how to attach to the plow-there's an "eye" bolt of sorts, the hook just clips on there, simple as that.

Anyway, Best of Luck and I hope that helps,

Mike

 

Excellant advice from Cowboy. The only thing that I would add is this....
(I just finished installing the WARN #2500 on my 500HO). Warn suggest installing the solenoid in the box under the seat. I looked for an alternative but, finally decided that the box was indeed the best place. I hated to lose dry storage space but now that I have it installed I still use the box to store the same things in it that I had before. It is a bit of a pain getting all the wires lined up to the contactor leads but it can be done and you don't lose that much space. Cowboy is also right about running the wireing...it's a little tedious. I mounted the contactor flush on the floor of the storage box and ran the wires thru a hole that I drilled in the box on the left hand side. Good luck and just be patient.

 

I have the 2500 lb. on mine (only because I am a dealer and I got a good price). However there were 2 times I needed the 2500 lbs. because my buddies 2000 lb. just wouldn't do it (also remember I have an aux. battery to help my quads electrical system for this reason). I do however believe the remote rocker is the best thing about mine. There have been several times I didn't want to be on my machine while winching either at odd angles or in bad situations.

I mounted my solenoid on the top radiator support (with the dual battery it wouldn't fit in the diesel tool box).

However if you are only using yours for plowing and to help in a sticky situation, the others will suit you well.

 

Thanks for info on winches. One more question. Most people have Warn winches, but the Superwinch is a lot cheaper. I have found new T1500's for sale for about $210 including the mount and fairlead and new ATV2000's for about $300. They both come with handlebar switches and both are the same and have the same motor but the 1500 has only 25 feet cable and a slightly lower rating in terms of the clutch. Are these decent. Do they mount and not interfere with the Sportsman Deluxe Plow on the 500 HO. I mostly want the winch for plowing and/or getting out if I get stuck plowing. I don't expect to do any riding on extreme terrain, mudding, etc. Or is it pennywise but pound foolish not to get the Warn. It appears the Warn 2000 ($350 with mount) does not have the handlebar switch which I think I would need for plowing, and the Warn 2500 is another 50-100 bucks. PS. Is it possible to splice on another 25 feet of cable if I get the A1500?

 

FYI,

Cabelas sells the Superwinch 1500 for $159, and the 2000 pound model for $199...Check them out at

Good luck,
LorrinCabelas winches (click).

 

Hey Hillcat
Glad to see your looking at winches.It sucks being stuck
in the swamp without it.
I have the superwinch 2000.
It works,but I would also get the ****** block kit.
The reason I got that one is because it had the handlebar mount.
Weather one's better then the other ?????I dont no???



The 1500 is a little lite(in my opinion) for a 700lb bike thats stuck.

 

i really like my warn 2500, it has a contoler that comes out about ten feet so you can get out of the say when you are pulling out your quad, makes it really easy!!

 

I've got the Warn 2000 on my HO and love it. I've heard too many bad stories about the Super Winches. I guess you get what you pay for. You'll do fine with the Warn and ****** blocks are great from Northern tool co. Just talk to the rep and tell him what you'll be using it for. Great company to deal with. Good Luck and great machine.

-Bob