Muskyman - re: MM winches

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Author Message   Marc Posted on Friday, September 27, 2002 - 08:57 am:    Muskyman (and anyone else with an opinion), I know you are a big proponent of MM winches, and after about a year and a half of shopping/reading/research, I am just about sold on them. I have a few questions about a comment you made in a recent post - you said your favorite MM was an old single speed you used to have. My questions: would that be the same as the current single speed models (9K and 10.5K) MM offers? http://www.milemarker.com/winch-1-speed.html (link only shows 9K, but also available in 10.5K, I believe) Why did you like it so much? Wasn't the slow line speed a pain in the ass? I was going for the 12K, but if there are some advantages to this model, I would be interested to hear about it, as the 10.5K can be had for about $500 and it is smaller, and size is a consideration (trying to mount it in a tight spot - the 12K would be tight, but this one would be an easy fit). Finally, before all you guys start chiming in to convert me, let me say this: The only other winches I would want are the big Warns or the Ramsey REs and I am pretty sure they are too big to fit in the space available. Thanks in advance, Marc   muskyman Posted on Friday, September 27, 2002 - 09:29 am:    the reason I like the single spped unit is because it is simple. i have set up a few single speed units using a 2 stage pump that produces 14gpm under low load then drops down to lower volume as it jumps up the pressure as the load increases. then you get line speed like you cant believe and it "shifts" to low range auto magicly with out having to flip any knobs like my two speed unit. when the front of the truck is under water and mud getting in there to change gears is a hassle.by setting it up like this(maybe under a bumper hidden)you can just leave the thing engaged all the time and just use a electric cutoff to the power for the electric selonoid controlled valve. need to winch: flip a switch plug in the controls push a botton and you have big pull. also the single speed units are all the same housing as far as I know,if you use a 2 stage pump and regulate the pressure you can set it up as a 9k 10k or 12k just by increasing the pressure. I have not seen the pto set ups , but it sounds like you can use any standard pump on them . the 2 stage pumps are standard flange pumps so I'd guess you could go that route to be really buff. I am mounting mine under the hood ala-jeep style, but my busy life and having another trail truck ready and waiting keeps letting the disco slide to the back burner. the work of doing the install will be much more involved then an electric,but when you are done you will pull at 100% duty cycle and no matter what any electric fan says NO ELECTRIC WINCH MADE IS 100% DUTY CYCLE...NONE!   Marc Posted on Friday, September 27, 2002 - 10:04 am:    Musky, where can I get the pump you are talking about?   muskyman Posted on Friday, September 27, 2002 - 11:13 am:    I buy pumps from northern Hydraulic or the local fleet farm because they have a good inventory, I can walk in pick them up take them outa the box read the ratings for volume,pressure,shaft size ect... and get an idea if what ever spot We are planning to bolt it will work. I have installed belt driven hydraulic pumps on a number of vehicles over the years. mostly to get away from the electric over hydraulic shortcommings of snowplow equipment. What I have found is that almost every installation is different. even on the same truck of different years. You just need to get in there and figure how you have to do it on that vehicle. there really is no complete kit for a MM winch. you end up fabbing alot of stuff no matter what truck you are bolting it onto. setting it up and getting it right is what makes all the difference. if you do a crappy half assed install you will have all kinds of issues and may end up unhappy. If you take the time to do a proffesional quality install, you will end up with such a solid piece of recovery equipment all the wheelers who watch it in action will come to envy what it can do. but...its all in the install step #1 find a local hydraulic parts company that makes hoses. step #2 choose your pump and buy it from Mr step #1 so that he makes a few $ and is willing to jump through some hoops for you. step #3 have Mr step#1 build you each line with just the right fittings to avoid belts,fans,exhaust ...ect. make sure all your lines are in a good permenant spot.The lines MM gives you are shit even if they are the right length dont use them.   muskyman Posted on Friday, September 27, 2002 - 11:23 am:    here are some 2 stage pumps that would work. if you go 2 speed you could use this style pump I am using a single v belt electric clutch to run the Dann Foss pump for mine when I ever get to it   Marc Posted on Friday, September 27, 2002 - 12:13 pm:    so - don't go with the stock ps pump?   Mike Rupp (Mike_Rupp) Posted on Friday, September 27, 2002 - 05:04 pm:    I'm running the stock pump w/ the 9K winch right now and have for the last two years. The bottom line is that it works ok. For some of the tougher pulls I've had to use the snatch block (pulley) to get out. Keep in mind that if you plan on running a higher rated pump and are eliminating the stock pump, it is recommended to use a relief valve to lower the pressure to the steering box. I realize that some haven't used a relief valve and haven't had any problems, but as it is my steering box is leaking out of the bottom seal. I wouldn't want to add another 400psi and watch what happens. http://www.4x4winches.com/ in England sells higher rated pumps that can be used to improve the performance over the stock pump. The nice thing about this option is that it fits in place with no special modifications/brackets/etc. other than the relief valve. The only other thing to add would be to investigate this before buying the winch as 4x4 winches recommends using a smaller hydraulic motor to keep the pull to about 9500lbs. This winch would have to be ordered spefically with the smaller motor. While this might not be the best option, it is a fairly easy & effective option. I'm still debating either this option or the PTO.   steve h Posted on Friday, September 27, 2002 - 06:05 pm:    i have the set up from 4x4winches and mm that mike mentioned above, installed in my 88rrc. it is a very nice system. the installation took about 16 hours (trying to arrange everything the proper way and not being familiar with the system). i checked into the northern hydralic method and the pto approach, but decided not to go that way.