Winch Size

TNWolverine said:

Yamaha offers a 3,500 lb warn winch, do you guys think this is enough winch for the Wolverine? A lot of my riding buddies put 4,500 lb winches on their rigs.

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I honestly think a 3500lb is good for this machine. To be honest, I have rode with a lot of machines and non of my buddies run with anything bigger then 3500lb. Now I am sure there are guys out there that will live by it but I am yet to see a side by side that has had a problem with 3500lbs. I have rode with a variety of machines as well...rangers, rhinos, commanders, mavericks. Now I am still on the fence about whether to run a standard rope or a synthetic rope...I honestly cant see the difference in using them...both lasted about the same amount of time...so I'm not sure on that one.

AKRider said:

I honestly think a 3500lb is good for this machine. To be honest, I have rode with a lot of machines and non of my buddies run with anything bigger then 3500lb. Now I am sure there are guys out there that will live by it but I am yet to see a side by side that has had a problem with 3500lbs. I have rode with a variety of machines as well...rangers, rhinos, commanders, mavericks. Now I am still on the fence about whether to run a standard rope or a synthetic rope...I honestly cant see the difference in using them...both lasted about the same amount of time...so I'm not sure on that one.

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We all learned early on not to use anything less than 4500 lbs down here in Texas. I guess it depends on where you live and the kind of riding you do.

I think that most of the winches have the same motor in both 3500 and 4500lb - difference is in gearing - 4500 have lower gearing and is slower (and have stronger pull) than 3500.

Yeah, I think I will go with a 4,500. Better safe than sorry. Might have to pull a 4 seater out of a hole some day.

Yea you are probably right about where we ride and the conditions we face. I will say, in Arkansas everyone had 3500lb winches but everyone I talk to up here in Alaska has 4500lb winches, so I will prolly go with that myself. I never have thought of having to pull a 4 seater or 6 seater out before...never rode with one but if that's the case prolly would want a bigger winch as well.

I bought a Superwinch Terra 45S for mine it draws 178 amps at 4500 lb pull were the Warn 4500 draws 318 amps. It's my first Superwinch so I hope it holds up, the build quality looks good even thou it was made in China.

I just went with the Yamaha/Warn Pro vantage 3500. Have not had to use it yet.

unless you're hanging it from a helicopter, 3500lb is plenty

I just ordered the kfi stealth 4500. I have a 2500 on my grizzly and I love these winches

MLogan83 said:

I just ordered the kfi stealth 4500. I have a 2500 on my grizzly and I love these winches

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In the group I ride with some have KFI and super winch. Both get put to the test and get the job done. I'm getting either one in 4500 with rope..

I suggest a good tree saver and snatch block to double the pull strength and extend winch life.

Those KFI look pretty good! I had never even heard of them before reading this thread.

I bought the warn 3,500lbs from my dealer because it was in stock. Had a 3000lbs on my Teryx when I had it and it did everything I needed it to.

Anyone else have the yamy front bumper and have trouble mounting their winch? The winch plate and winch holes line up but it doesn't want to line up with the bumper holes

MLogan83 said:

Anyone else have the yamy front bumper and have trouble mounting their winch?

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Ya its a poor design. Loosen the front 8mm mounting bolts going through the winch plate into the front of the winch. Loosen them till they almost fall out. Then try to mount the bumper. You have to push the winch plate down at an angle to make it clear the square tubes in the frame. Once it passes you can tighten everything back up normal with no issues.

Ah yes those holes didn't line up for shit either. Have to start one bolt with just a few threads, wiggle the shit out of it to start the other. If its still too far off you will have to drill out the holes one size bigger in the plate.

Is this with the aftermarket front guard or the one that comes stock?

You probably know this but a word of caution to prolong your new winch. Viper max and superwinch both use permanent magnet motors vs warn and ramsey that use series wound motors. Its a trade off as warns use twice the battery draw but dont get hot. but the permanent magnet motors use less battery but get hot quicker and will burn out with a long heavy pull. Never pull over one minute without letting it cool for at least that long or longer. If you work it a little at a time it will be fine. Keep checking the temp of the motor with your hand. When they get hot the pulling power reduces and if they keep pulling they can burn out. Just be patient with it.

I recently had installed the Warn Provantage 3500. Looks deadly, I'll post some pics soon. Also with any winch, u should allow a cool down period after each use.

I'm picking up my Warn Provantage 3500s after work. I went with Synthetic rope. Hoping to have time this weekend to install it.