Poor winch performance

[ericp351]

Hi all. I have a M925 A2 with a Medium Duty winch. Winch was replaced by Air Force. Yesterday I tried to use it to pull a BADLY mired Chevy Trail Blazer. Could not budge it. Winch did go to pull mode, filter was clean, and plenty of hyd oil. I thought it should yank it out easy as Chevy maybe weighed 4200 lbs. Winch sounded ok, break was out, and it payed out easy. Am I missing something easy? I ran motor up to 1450 rpm. Was a bit embarrassing too. Thanks.

 

[simp5782]

You need to check the pressure rating from the pump line to the front winch motor first.

 

[doghead]

How much line was out? How many wraps were still on the drum?

With enough reduction it would have worked. Do you have snatch blocks? We’re you using any?

If it were “mired badly”, the resistance could have easily been 3 times(or more) the vehicles weight.

So, pulling with 3 wraps or more on the drum with a single line pull, you were easily underrated.

 

[simp5782]

The 5 ton should have been able to basically pull it backwards and out at idle really

 

[ericp351]

Thanks guys. I basically only had 60 feet of cable out. My truck was facing downhill. I could not drive him out pulling uphill on greasy mud. If this is a clue, my winch does not power pay out, bit does go to heave in. Thanks again for all of your help. I did think that the truck would nearly lift the smaller Chevy.

 

[Jbulach]

The winch control tower lever mounts are a pisss poor design and flex badly, or break, if the cable, and or the hydraulic control valve aren’t moving effortlessly from lack of use. Get under the truck and watch the control valve while soldier B works the lever. You may have to lube and work the cable and valve independently to free them up. Be gentle with the lever during this process or you will be repairing the tower if not already necessary.

 

[Jbulach]

Also these winches aren’t as powerful as one would think. With 50’ of cable payed out, truck empty, on level good traction ground, tires aired to emergency, foot on the brake to lock all six tires, I can stall my winch fairly easily. But on a greasy down hill, you should have easily drug your truck as well as two, or three other 5 tons before stalling a properly functioning winch.

 

[74M35A2]

Fully agree on the winch hydraulic valve travel amount. Going the extra 1/8" on valve handle travel will make all the difference in the world. They are not operated enough, and sloppy as my brother just said. Lube it, work it, adjust it. My winch pulled my 925a2 out of 4' of mud no problem (level). That is to the top of all 6 tires as reference. Everybody else's should as well if working correctly.

Way cool you are having fun with your truck. Post some pics of the stuck stuff!