........just bought a 500 Magnum a couple weeks ago, great machine so far!! I'm looking into winches and mounts, would like to how different brands have faired over the years, likes, dislikes, problems and so forth. I think the smallest I'd get would be a 2000#

thanks in advance, Jim

 

Flajimak:
I think the best aftermarket add-on you could possibly put on a atv is a winch. Simply because of the work-ability of it. Once you get to know and understand your winch, the possibilities of what you can do with it are endless. You mentioned the smallest you would get would be the 2000lb. I don't think you would really need anything bigger than that either. Simply because the bigger the winch, the more power it draws, and your atv does not have the capability to deliver the kind of amperage-none of them do for that matter. As a result, even with a bigger winch, you won't be able to use it to it's full potential, so the 2000lb. is about as big as you want to go, because you really can't even produce enough power to work it to the full 2000lb. rating.

As for the different brands, I think Warn and Superwinch are about the best. Superwinch has had some problems with their remote switches in the past, but if you look at the atving home page, a couple days ago, they had an article adressing this fact. Simply put, instead of denying the problem at hand, Superwinch redesigned a new rocker switch that looks to be pretty damn good. Compared to Warn, they are a little cheaper as well. I can't say as I have ever used them before, but there are people who swear by them. The topic of "Which brand is Best" is just like the "Chevy vs. Ford" thing, so I'm sure you'll get biased opinions everywhere you look.

As for Warn, I have used several of the Warn winches on full sized rigs. Mostly the 8000lb. and up series. Warn's warranty and reputation with their product are outstanding, though you do pay a little more for it. I have not heard of any major problems with any of the Warn line of winches, with one exception. A friend and I had a Warn XD9000i on the front of an old jeep. We beat the hell out of the winch for over a year, doing things we probably shouldn't have with it. It performed flawlessly until one day, in the middle of a light duty pull, it just snapped a gear, and began whinning to beat hell. We had to shut it down, and wrap the cable around the bumper to get home. Anyhow, we called Warn and asked them what they would suggest. As it turned out, they took it back, tore it apart and determined it was a defective gear, and rebuilt it at no charge to us, other than shipping costs. Never had a problem with it since.

I just had a Warn A2000 installed on my '00 AC 500 Auto. Haven't had a chance to use it yet, but I suspect it will perform just as well as it's bigger brothers do. If I remember correctly, I think Polaris has a deal, or did have a deal that if you bought the Magnum, or SP500, I think they gave you the winch, but I could be wrong. You might want to contact your dealer. If that is the case, with some persuaion, you may be able to get one out of him for a cheaper rate, if not free. I paid $69 for mine, with the AC package. Anyhow, good luck on whichever you choose. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

Mike

 

I also have a warn 2000 on a magnum 500.It has turned out to be the best add-on I bought.With a machine as heavy as the mag.its a must.Havent had a problem with it,works every time.I got mine free with my purchase,And put it on myself.I will take you a few hours to get every thing looking just right.Like routing the cables,and mounting the solenoid.After that I ordered the flat bumper from polaris,it bolts right on,looks pretty good,and offers good protection. I would go with the warn.

 

I have a Warn and a friend of mine has a Superwinch. Both work great. The Superwinch has fried a rocker switch, but my friend called them about it and they sent out,the redesigned one ASAP at no charge. I don't think you could go wrong with either one.

 

i have a warn 2000 lb. on my magnum 325 4x4.i ride with another 325 magnum a mag 500 and a yamaha big bear..anything myself or they can get stuck in which has included thick black mud up to the fenders on all 4 wheels..the winch hasnt failed me yet..my machine and including the winch were submersed once for a half an hour and still worked to pull my machine out after i got the cable to shore..oh and by the way i still havent had to use the snatchblock i bought.. like others said,you wont need a bigger winch,alot depends on how you use it,always try to pull up and out instead of dragging straight thru the mud,etc.have to be part rigger sometimes

 

I recently bought a Warn 2500 for my SP500. I have a friend who stuck his 95 SP400 in the mud so bad that his Warn 2000 would NOT pull it out. It did pull it out with a ****** block (which doubles the power). I assumed as his was the lighter 2 stroke version, that I would need a heavier winch. Also, the 2500 comes with a roller fairlead and a remote switch with 6 ft of switch cable. If you have never seen a cable snap, you don't want to be anywhere around when it does. So when I run mine, I get off the quad and stand to one side, just in case the cable breaks. Just my .02

Bad2Bone
2 00 SP500s

 

You’re right about cable snap. The best defense from getting hit (other than standing off to the side) is to drape a coat over the cable. Then the loose end will just fall.

I’ve owned two Warn 2000s and two Super Winches. Without a doubt my preference is Warn. I’ve had problems with both Supers (not switches) and not one problem with either Warn. The Warns seem to grunt and growl a whole lot less during operation which leads me to believe they have a better gear system (just my guess). A 2000 with a ****** block is all you should need. That’s all I’ve ever needed and I ride HEAVY. Be sure to get a roller fairlead though.

I always winch while sitting in the saddle and running the throttle. Combining the quad’s own power and the winch is easier on both. I’m talking about mud though, not doing verticals up house-sized boulders :} Mount your switch somewhere on the left side of the bike so you can operate it with your left hand and the throttle at the same time with your right. Like B2B said, always be aware of cable snap.

 

I think a winch will be something worth its weight in gold. I have owned Warn winches since 1977 and believe in them (any major brand i.e. SuperWinch, Warn , Rule or Ramsey).
Just three other things-1.Don't let anyone tow you by your winch line, or jerk you by it and don't back up and pull someone with your winch line. That can damage the gears. If you can winch someone out while they are in neutral, great. It they have to give it a little gas, try not to get slack in the line and then have it lost where you load and unload the motor and gears. 2. Winch motors are for "intermittent" use. If you stall the motor or it almost stalls, feel it. If it is too hot to touch, let it cool. You can overheat a motor and damage it permanently and never will pull to its maximum efficiency again. 3. The more line you pull out, meaning the closer you get down to the wrap on the drum, the mre pulling power you have. For a Warn 2500--1st wrap=2500, 2nd=2250, 3rd=2025, 4th=1822. For a Warn 2000, 1st wrap=2000, 2nd=1800, 3rd=1620, 4th=1458.
Hope that makes sense and helps.