TJM hydraulic winch

TJM (see 4wdlinks) have started to assemble their own hydraulic winch driven from the power steering pump of a vehicle. Such units have been available, e.g. in the USA, but this one was on show at the 4WD Field Day.

The 3600kg (8000 lb) capacity winch costs $1600, the 4500kg (10,000 lb) capacity winch $1750, and the hose kit $160 ($au 1999).

The power steering pump is not designed for high-speed, high-load operations so the winch is geared down and does not operate at the power levels that a PTO-hydraulic winch is capable of, but it involves many fewer components and is cheaper and lighter. Neither does it require the extra battery and isolator which is just about compulsory with an electric winch, not to mention the touchy question of solenoid reliability on electric winches.

TJM gives the following figures for a 7,600kPa (11,000psi) pump and flow of 5 litres per minute:

It is not casting aspersions on TJM, but fitting the winch does involve the steering system and so it would be a good idea to talk to the vehicle's manufacturer about warranty, your insurer about liability, and the road traffic authorities about regulations, as a matter of course.

Go to the winch and offroad pages