Electric winches are preferred over hydraulic driven and mechanical winches by many offroad drivers. One reason for the preference is they utilize electric motors that are battery driven; plus they are easy to install. Electric winches also require no other systems to be added to the vehicle. An important factor to consider with a winch is its rated line pull or pulling power. A wide drum is thought by many to be best since it gives more cable per layer and requires less cable layers. Some electric winch owners, however, prefer a deep drum, which allows the line to pull from an angle without becoming bunched up. A recommended guide for the maximum rated line pull is for at least one and a half times the vehicle's gross weight. Line speed is another consideration for use of electric winches. The power of the electric motor determines the speed in which the line is pulled. A typical motor for electric winches is 2.1 or 2.5 hp. Motor speed is affected by the amount the motor is geared down. Because of the amount of time it takes to wind cable, many prefer a higher power motor. Using an electric winch is more than just having the ability to pull a vehicle out of the mud--one must know where to hook up. The pull must be on a secure location on the chassis; otherwise, great damage could be done to the frame. It is important that kits be applied properly using the right equipment and that the kits be designed according to safety guidelines.
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