Advice/feedback required on these as a recovery device please!

[lilstookie]

Since our (mis)adventure last week http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=22224.0 , we've been looking into recovery options (we know your penchant for winches Lost, but we'd need a new bullbar...) and came across these http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Max-Traction-Bog-Strip-Car-Recovery-Trax-4WD-Track-SAND-MUD-/110880962190?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19d105368e . Maxtraxx have been on our 'want' list for a while but, at better than 1/3 the price, if these are going to do the same job in most situations then they are far more appealing!

Lil

[Bird]

No bullbar required,
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/221030910827
can winch out backwards or forwards.

[Pipeliner]

The drawback with the roll-up ones like that is that they don't provide a ramp you can drive up, they merely provide a surface with a higher degree of friction than the mud/sand they are sitting on: they are also much more prone to being spat out backwards rather than the car going forwards!  Maxtrax are much better if you can afford them.

[LJs GU]

The drawback with the roll-up ones like that is that they don't provide a ramp you can drive up, they merely provide a surface with a higher degree of friction than the mud/sand they are sitting on: they are also much more prone to being spat out backwards rather than the car going forwards!  Maxtrax are much better if you can afford them.

x2

No bullbar required,
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/221030910827
can winch out backwards or forwards.

x-2 

LJ

[Benny78]

http://www.oppositelock.com.au/prodcatalogue/product/348/348_1.jpg

Available from Opposite Lock.

These are a bit cheaper than Maxtrax- probably not quite as good but better than the other ones you are looking at.

[sparksy]

Supercheap have Maxtrax on special at the moment $275 with a bonus tyre guage "worth" $25

[GeoffA]

No bullbar required,
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/221030910827
can winch out backwards or forwards.

..........hours of fun for everyone.........

[BigJules]

Let me declare an interest here. I have what I believe to be a superior product to both of those. I've been looking at what else is on the market and have the following comments.

The orange Opposite Lock tracks are almost smooth, made of a greasy plastic. They would assist but I felt that a tyre full of mud would just spin on these.

The folding tracks seem to get pulled under the wheels.

They are both low cost options, but I am not sure it would be money well spent.

[Maîneÿ . . .]

No bullbar required,
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/221030910827
can winch out backwards or forwards.

 TIRFOR WINCH Heavy duty ** 3200kg **pulling power
Item condition: Used

and I would suggest it may not be a genuine Tirfor, but a similar looking item
 
 

[lilstookie]

Nobody mentioned a chain and a hi lift jack ?
YouTube has loads of vids on winching with a hi lift jack.
We have a chain in the car I use for pulling logs and that along with a hi lift and a few other bits might also be an option




Sent from my brain using my fingers.

[GGV8Cruza]

Nobody mentioned a chain and a hi lift jack ?
YouTube has loads of vids on winching with a hi lift jack.
We have a chain in the car I use for pulling logs and that along with a hi lift and a few other bits might also be an option




Sent from my brain using my fingers.

It works but is even slower than the tirfor, I moved the camper the other week four metres and it took around half an hour, but when you are stuck as long as you get out

GG

[Bird]

Nobody mentioned a chain and a hi lift jack ?

... as an example how bogged you were the other day, using the highlift, you would have been there about 4 days. thats how little it moves, let alone how hard the work is... worse than a Tirfor by miles.

[lilstookie]

... as an example how bogged you were the other day, using the highlift, you would have been there about 4 days. thats how little it moves, let alone how hard the work is... worse than a Tirfor by miles.

So let me get this correct
A 60" hi lift jack once jack to its full length as a winch "won't" have moved your car at least 60"
In our case it was as simple as getting the rear wheels out the rut then reversing !
It was the getting them out the rut that was the hard bit but it would have been at most winching a hi lift to its end twice unless the chain stretches.

Or am I on drugs ?

Stookie.


Sent from my brain using my fingers.

[Benny78]

I think you are mostly correct however you will take at least 10" to take up the slack minimum. That said however a turfor or similar will be a better option gives you 10 feet of movement as you said "most" of the time that is enough to get you out of strife.
From all accounts turfor winches are hard work but you have time and dont mind hard work- go for it.

[heath74]

A hand winch, either tirfor, I I have used the black rat brand, will get you out of trouble.  Yes they are hard work, yes they are slow, and yes they am heavy, and bulky to carry around. But they do work.  Most of the second hand ones will have only been used once....

Good luck and keep enjoying!

[BigJules]

I grew up on the handle of my dad's tirfor, and yet I still bought one before I could afford a winch bar and winch  . They are an honest piece of kit. Heavy work, and hard to carry but not expensive and WILL recover you provided you have something to winch off. I couldn't sell mine, I might want to move something slowly and carefully one day, or hoist something.

I bougth a genuine HiLift winching kit, 2nd hand, came with a roof rack I bought. I have never used it and I guess I am not likely to either, as I have an electric winch (or 20) plus the Tirfor knock off. In some respects it is nicer than a hand winch as it doesn't have 30m of heavy cable, but you do need a long winch extension strap to make it effective. The downside is having to reset it so frequently. I wouldn't like to try going 30m up a hill, or be working in a muddy bog hole with it.

[Pipeliner]

I grew up on the handle of my dad's tirfor, ...... I couldn't sell mine, I might want to move something slowly and carefully one day, or hoist something.

Ooooh, my spine is shivering!  There is a huge difference between equipment rated for pulling and equipment rated for lifting, based on the fact that a failure whilst pulling is usually only inconvenient but a failure whilst lifting can be fatal.  Be very cautious when using anything as a hoist which isn't specifically designed and rated for that use.

[terravista]

Ooooh, my spine is shivering!  There is a huge difference between equipment rated for pulling and equipment rated for lifting, based on the fact that a failure whilst pulling is usually only inconvenient but a failure whilst lifting can be fatal.  Be very cautious when using anything as a hoist which isn't specifically designed and rated for that use.

It is my understanding that a Tirfor is rated for lifting. A 2600kg unit has the ability to lift vertically that weight, and if used as horizontal loads, it offers a much greater ability.
That is why they can be used for heavy 4x4's but are rated under 3 tonne.
Cheers

[Maîneÿ . . .]

Ooooh, my spine is shivering!  There is a huge difference between equipment rated for pulling and equipment rated for lifting, based on the fact that a failure whilst pulling is usually only inconvenient but a failure whilst lifting can be fatal. 
Be very cautious when using anything as a hoist which isn't specifically designed and rated for that use.

Yes, but they are definately rated for lifting 

http://www.hss.com/imagshop/guides/og_LS39.pdf

Manual Tirfor Winches - Lift & Shift - Operating & Safety Guide LS39 - For lifting or pulling loads into position.

[Chippy76]

Tifrors are a fantastic bit of kit, and some times much more versatile than a vehicle mounted winch (although obviously slower) Sometimes the slow nature of the tirfor also means it is inherently safer, as the job is being performed at a slower more controllable pace. Yes tirfors are rated for lifting. A chain and hi lift is a great option, as the hi jift doubles as a winch and jack. It is slower, but still better than being stuck until help arrives. I have used a chain laid out on the track to provide extra traction to get out of a few sticky situations.

Cheers Chippy