4x4 Electric VS PTO winches

In this video, Geoff shares the pros and cons of electric and PTO winches for your 4x4. He explores the benefits and drawbacks of each type, and helps you determine which option is best for your vehicle. Whether you're new to off-roading or a seasoned enthusiast, this in-depth comparison will help you make an informed decision for your 4x4 adventures.

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Best of luck with your projects and adventures, thanks for watching.

[adrianianna]

I have owned 2 Toyota BJ73s & both had PTO winches of different makes. They are heavy but like you say, very reliable & if the motor goes so does it. They were awesome . No waiting for the motor to cool down, just keep going till your out. Simple to maintain as well. I would rather rely on a Toyota motor than a battery.

[randomoldbloke]

Back in the stone age, 50s / 60s a lot of pto winches were converted to electric using dc3 starter motors because it was cheaper than repairing the pto shafts and they were plenty around and cheap . Of the 2 you mentioned pto is superior in every way they don't melt, just replace the shear pin if you overload to much, ect ect . My personal favourite winch is hydraulic mainly for the infinite speed control especially when pulling belly plates up under a dozer just for a example. Sure they are a tad more complex and there is a possibility of blowing a hose but i have found them to be much more reliable than straight pto or electric . For a bit of controversy I always hook my electric winch to the secondary battery if you blow up the secondary it is no big deal blow your starter and it gets very interesting.

[andymckane]

I've had both types of winch, PTO (which I had on three Land Rover series vehicles), and a Warn electric on my 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon unlimited. I used the PTO winches hard; and they always worked very well. Over the past twelve years, I've only used my Warn electric winch several times. It's performed fine under the circumstances, but it is not the heavy-duty type of device that a proper power take-off winch is. Great video! I hope all is going well for you and your channel! Andy McKane, Maunaloa, Molokai, Hawaii.

[jimmethven]

Great video as always, thank you. Great points about both types of winches. For heavy sustained use the PTO can't be beat. I prefer the PTO and have kept one on my MOD 109. However, I took it off my 63 109 to fit an overdrive and use an electric winch. Makes driving around Arizona much nicer on the road. It's too bad there is only one PTO pad on the transfer case. There is the engine crank-driven winch but the only ones I have found are very spendy for something I don't use much anymore since moving down from Alaska.

[taktlosnixda]

Ich habe an meinem Landrover eine hydraulisch angetriebene Winde . In meinen Augen ist das der beste Weg. So lange der Motor läuft funktioniert die Winde. Ich muss keinen Gang einlegen oder die Fahrkupplung betätigen und ich muss nicht aufpassen dass die Batterie nicht leer wird.

[noelfrankland]

ALL PTO I KNOW OF HAVE A CRANK HANDLE SO THAT YOU CAN STILL WIND THEM OUT

[ah]

One not mentioned advantage of the electric winch is that in case you want to sell the vehicle it is fitted on, you can remove it and fit on the new vehicle. Furthermore there are electrics which are non-permanent fixtures and can mount selectively to the front or rear of the vehicle. These are handy when you need to pull yourself backwards instead of forward and deeper into a bog.

[alessandropicchi]

It would be interesting see the actual which, the shaft and the PTO and have an idea of where sort out the pieces that are needed for the job.

[codyaverhoff]

Prefer pto winches, but it’s really tough to outfit modern vehicles here in the USA with a pto winch.

[carolyndavis]

you did noy say that you have 4 retrevals speeds and and you can accelerat and go even faster

[jacksaustralia]

Big issues with PTOs for complex winches is you're in neutral and can't drive while winching. Sure, if you're in a bog hole and doing a short winch it's a minor issue but up a hill or something similar it's difficult...PTOs are for industrial applications where you want prolonged winching, . electric are better for 4x4ing, if as you said they are maintained, which isn't hard. They are also lighter so less weight....

[AndyMerkel-nv]

Hi Geoff,
Interesting Video, thanks.
CN a PTO be fitted to a more modern vehicle though? For instance a 2015 Defender?
Cheers,
Andy.

[chathuralalinda]

In MITSUBISHI.. jEEPS .J series you have to put neutral position. For mechanical winch work .. 😕 so no power on weels .. weels are in neutral on hand brakes.. electric winch you have ower 4H . 4L .2H ..

[kushkush]

How long can you use electric winch without the engine runing ? And only with remaining battery power ? The answer is there.

[mattluszczak]

Pto: no hill too steep and boghole too deep... a snatch block...bhhaaaa whats that? That folkes is a pto winch.

was going to put a pto winch on my defender 110 but from all the pictures i looked at looks like you lose too much of the approach angle also do some hard tracks were it's easy to end up on your side with the electric winch you have the chance to get your vehicle back on it's wheels both my brother and dad have about $600-$700 electric winches neither have had any trouble with them