Articles >> ATV and UTV Winches

ATV and UTV Winches

ATVs, and especially UTVs, might feel a little incomplete without a good winch. These devices have various applications, whether you need to pull an obstacle off the trail, or pull a vehicle back onto the trail. Not to mention, they let you utilize your engine for diverse towing tasks, which gives you a practical edge over most other four wheeler owners. However, when shopping for winches, you can’t just pick the first one that strikes you as good enough. There are actually a lot of considerations you’ll need to make, including vehicle compatibility, cable type, and what you’ll be using it for. Here at Harold Implement Company, we have winches for sale, but we’d like you to have the information you need to make an informed decision.

So read on to learn more, and when you’re ready to get one of these accessories installed, come on into our dealership near Paragould and Jonesboro, AR.

Weight Ratings

One major difficulty we have when picking the right winch comes when we try figuring out weight rating. Unfortunately, these devices aren’t typically designed specifically for ATVs or UTVs, so they don’t advertise which type of four wheeler they’re compatible with. This means you’ll need to do a little bit of math. Side by sides are heavier than ATVs, so for most of these vehicles, you should get a winch rated at or above 4000 lbs. If you have a smaller, sportier UTV, you can settle for something with a little lighter rating. And since most ATVs are quite a bit smaller, you won’t need anything rated much higher than 1,500 lbs. If your engine’s bigger than 300cc, you might want to shoot more for the 2,500 lb rating, and heavy duty ATVs are better equipped with an ultra strong winch, with a rating around 3000 lbs.

Installation

Regardless of a winch’s weight rating, you’ll need to use a mount plate to perform the installation. If your ATV or UTV doesn’t already have a mount plate, you’ll need to buy one, because it’s impossible to equip your winch without this device. Whether or not you have a winch plate, we recommend bringing your four wheeler and winch into Harold Implement Company, where we’ll perform the installation for you. Remember that winches are extremely heavy and potentially dangerous if you aren’t experienced, so it’s always safer to have the professionals do it at our service department.

Type of Cable

The last thing you’ll need to consider is what kind of cable type you prefer. When looking for a winch, you’ll notice two basic cable types: wire and synthetic. Both work on a four wheeler, but there are significant differences in performance. Wire cables are a little more affordable, since they use basic materials and used to be the standard winch type. They’re durable, resistant to abrasion, and tend to last even when used frequently. However, the braided steel frays over time, which can make them dangerous to operate. On the other hand, synthetic cables have become the new standard for winch designs. These light, durable cables don’t fray, and they hold up very well during frequent use. The only downside is that these cable types can get damaged from too much heat, so you’ll need to be careful that you don’t use them excessively in a short period of time. Overall, synthetic cable are a little more expensive, but definitely the superior product. However, if you don’t want to spend as much on a winch, wire cables are perfectly acceptable for all the same applications.

Picking the right winch takes a little research and preparation, but once you have everything figured out, you’ll never regret choosing to equip your ATV or UTV with one of these practical devices. At Harold Implement Company, we’d be happy to answer any more questions you have, and if you’re ready to get a winch installed, feel free to bring your four wheeler into our dealership. We’re near Paragould and Jonesboro, AR, and proudly serve customers from Poplar Bluff, Missouri.