So, a winch on the ATV. Who's got one, and how often do you actually use it?

Have one on my ranger, use often but primarily for farming work. Have had to pull myself out once when high centered in ditch. Handy to have if far away from other resources.

I had one on my atv and very rarely used it, but then I chose not to go into some areas. I now have a ranger and the only winch I have is on the bed which I use for loading game such as hogs and deer. If in question I would suggest installing a 2.0" receiver up front, and build you a bracket. This way you could use it front or back. I use a Harbor Freight $49.00 jump and carry to power mine and I get 10 times more use out of a winch now than before.

I have one. I use it to secure the quad down to the trailer, winch deer up in a tree to clean, and pull others/myself out. it really all depends on what kind of riding you do. if you are going out to fill feeders or check fence then you really don't need it. if you are going out for a ride and plan on getting in mud or see if you can get through a deep hole, then you need it. for me, it is always better to have it and not need it than to be stranded.

got one on the front and back of mine don't use them much but when I need them I got them

I have one and use it a lot more than I thought I would. I use it to move fallen trees all the time which saves me from having to go and get the tractor. To be honest with you it is one of those things-It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

I have one on the front of my four wheeler. When me and friends use to go out and ride all of the time I used it almost every time we went out. Usually to pull someone else out of the mud. I also have used it around my old lease for a number of different things. For the price of them these days, I would defiantly get it. There are a ton of things that you can use it for than just getting yourself or other people unstuck.

Walter

I have one on my Polaris Ranger and Tacoma. I've used them to pull trees out of the way, lower a blind, and soon to raise it back up.

I also pulled a dead hog out of a dry river bed.

Most of these things could be done with a tow strap and engine power but the controlled speed of the winch is safer.

I put an inexpensive one from Tractor Supply on my Mule. I did order a mount from some place on-line. I haven't used it to "save" me yet, but I've used it a lot around the place.. stretching fence, pulling trees, etc. I can't justify spending the big bucks for a WARN, mine was about $130 (winch and mount plate). The only thing I wish I had was a remote so I can work the winch away from the mule - for now my wife is the remote "push that button"

I have three Polaris ATVs, and all three have winches and I have used them on all three.

We mainly joy ride and hunt with the ATVs. This includes some medium depth river crossings.

Been pulled out of the river twice, I have pulled a side by side out of Murray Lake, I have used the winch to move trees from the trail and to pull a stump out of my front yard.


I would also use them to raise a hog up to butcher it...but need to get the right size gambrel first.

I don't think I would want a quad without one, and definitely would not ride solo without one.

Sean

Haven't needed it since I put it on but I have used it as a utility tool around the camp/stands.

I have a Warn on my Yamaha and I've used it quite a bit. I think it's far better to have one than to not have one. When you need it, pretty much you really need it and probably need it pretty bad.

And as others have said, pulling trees out of the way and stretching fence are another good use for it.

I have to agree with the thread. The winch on my Rhino has been used to tip a blind up, move trees, pull a dead cow out of a pond and pull vehicles out that should have known better!

If you get it, the use will come....

Take a look at KFI winches. They are just as good as a warn and much cheaper. I have sold over 50 of them and have one that the solenoid went bad in and not another problem at all. For a few hundred dollars its very nice to have if need be.

I have a warren on my 4 wheeler have to say I never use it very often tho.

I have a superwinch terra 45 SR (synthetic rope) on my duck boat and it yanks it out of any bad situation

If your going to buy a 5k to 10k atv, buy a $300 to $500 winch for it.

It's cheap insurance. It sucks if you get stuck somewhere alone.. Very helpless feeling.

I just used my winch again. Last week I needed to move a big hunting blind that I had put in the wrong place (that's a nasty realization, for sure). I had nobody to help me, so I had to think smart. The blind had short attachments for legs, so they'd dig into the ground if I had to drag or push the blind. I went and got 4 old 30 gallon drum tops and put them under the feet attachments so the blind would slide, got the ATV and hooked the back hitch to a tree, ran the winch line over to the blind and dragged that rascal into perfect position. Yay me! The winch was straining, but it was just enough. Love my winch. And being a happily married man, I also love my wench. Yuk Yuk.

That's nyuk nyuk nyuk.