So here's a problem that I would love to figure out. I have a 500 lb monarch winch up feeder. I would love to find a way to install a powered motor to it instead of hand cranking that sob. It gets real heavy after already dumping 10, 50 lb bags of corn in it.

Any thoughts you creative people?

Be simpler to add double pulley system.

Problem with winch is the brake.

I have rancho quick connect plugs on my truck, that I can plug any 12volt winch into, but then again don't know how long brake would last on winch

Look in to the texas wildlife supply old timer and new all season ground fill feeders

Not looking to get a new feeder. Describe the double pulley system. Is that easy?

Probably have to add more cable but should be able to buy pulleys rated for 500lbs plus at harbor freight or northern power and tool

So this maybe sound silly but how does that make it easier to lift?

Would this setup be easier to use hand cranking?

It works, I build winch feeders and game hoist and BOBO is right about the double pulley. I however have a little more abstract idea, but first tell me you have a brake winch and not a boat winch on that feeder. The reason is I have seen and heard of to many people getting hurt while lifting and the claw not engaging.
You might look into a worm gear winch (Dutton Lainson) and then a 18V portable drill or I have a old Dewalt 12 volt which I power with a jump starter and power point plugs (cigarette light plugs) for the field.
The other option of course is to put a 12 volt winch on it.

A simple but not cheap option that you could rig to work: Go get a 12V 2k lb winch from Harbor Freight. Bolt it to the feeder leg. Power it off a 12V battery with a solar panel if you won't run it often. Or, wire in a quick connect to your truck as described by Bobo.

It would work, but you're going to spend some money. And, not sure how much life you'll get out of the winch. Double pulley and hand winch with brake is the way I'd go.

It is going to be easier to crank, but your going to have to crank 2x as much to get the feeder up.

Similar principle to why your truck has more power in 1st gear than 2nd or 3rd, but you turn a lot more rpm's to get the same amount of work done.

After reviewing some pics of deer in that pen, it turns out that the feeder does have a double pulley system. So if I changed out the pulleys to a larger size would it then in turn make it easier to crank?

No.

You could get a compound pulley like this. It will make it even easier to lift, yet you will have to crank even more.

We have both single and block and tackle hoisting. Seems to be the same effort for either one.
A longer handle would held and that's simple.

Try only putting 300 pound in it

Double pulley, with a worm gear winch, set up for a 18V drill motor.

http://www.texasdirecthunting.com/servlet/the-113/dutton-lainson-worm-gear/Detail

You mite want to think about a cheap atv winch
Seen them cheap at harbor freight for around 50.00
buddy has one on his feeder works great and since his trucks close to feeder he just runs jumpers off his truck

Double pulley, with a worm gear winch, set up for a 18V drill motor.

http://www.texasdirecthunting.com/servlet/the-113/dutton-lainson-worm-gear/Detail

^^^^^^THIS^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^.......you need the drill, if you rely on the handle it will take a long time to crank up and down due to the gear ratio. With this set up it won't be heavy anymore.

I have a 300lbs feeder tripod on 14ft legs, using a 1200lbs winch with double pulley using a 12V gel cell battery. Used it all season with no problems. However, I did not leave the battery or the controls outside with the feeder. I would disconnect the battery and control and kept them stored in my UTV.

Should have done that years ago.....nothing better than cranking up a full feeder with sweatty hands in the summer~

Agree with all of the above advice; however, a longer handle should be all you need to make it substantially easier (i.e. both hands). If winch does not have a brake, swing by Northern Tool and get a new winch.

I say man up and use your arms. Consider it good exercise.

I think you have the answer here a double pulley(3/16" wire rope, Dutton Lainson Worm gear winch and a Portable drill. The only other option is a inexpensive 12 volt (atv style)winch say 1500 pounds but you better be careful winching it up they are not vey forgiving.

This is what I did for my winch feeders and have no problem winching them up.

More 12 oz curls
Low T shots
Work out
More alone time


All these will help dominate the winch

Guess I'll keep my ladder....

Are the Harbor freight winches power up and power down?