These are on sale again for $395 plus p&h. What are peoples thoughts on them?
I have a Grande 12,000lb (think it's the Mk1) but have never had to use it in anger. I did have an issue with it not wanting to freespool recently but it freed up with a bit of powering the rope in and out. It was probably due to lack of use, you need to run them a bit every couple of weeks to help dry out any moisture in the motor.
The biggest problem I had when fitting mine was having to get the control box cables extended as they were just a bit too short. I have the box mounted inside the bar next to the clutch end though, depending on your chosen location you may not have an issue.
I think these are cheap at the moment because the Mk3 has been released. Good price though, I paid nearly $700 for mine. If I had to buy another winch though I'd probably buy a Runva next time.
Does anyone have any experience with the grande winches?? I'm about to buy a winch and $495 is a heck of a lot cheaper than what I was planning on paying...
Haven't used one, but the specs look OK especially on the new 7hp MkIII. I think it would be my choice at the moment. The only downside I see is there is no claim about its waterproofness.
Greg - 08 D4D Prado,
Some trips done - Cape York, Fraser Island, Simpson Desert / Central Aust, Vic High Country.
I have the mk2 and it has worked well so far. My criticisms are:
Clutch handle is at the back and on a 150 with arb bullbar is a dog to reach. On my warn winch this could be rotated, sadly not the case with the grande.
Once the clutch is engaged, free spool is still very stiff. Easiest way to deal with this is to power the winch out.
The rope came with a protective sleeve that is meant to protect the last meter or so of rope near the hook. I cant figure how to get it on. Wont fit over the eye on the hook end, and wont fit over the lug at the spool end, i figure the manufacturer couldn't work it out either which is why it was supplied loose in the box.
Cables are thinner gauge then those on my lower rated warn (dont know if this is an issue, winch works ok).
Would i buy another one? Absolutely, new winch was cheaper then the quote to repair the lower rated warn it replaced.
The rope came with a protective sleeve that is meant to protect the last meter or so of rope near the hook. I cant figure how to get it on. Wont fit over the eye on the hook end, and wont fit over the lug at the spool end, i figure the manufacturer couldn't work it out either which is why it was supplied loose in the box.
I had to unspool the rope off the drum on mine and undo the lug where it's bolted to the spool but I was able to get the sleeve on after doing that. The sleeve mine came with is made from braided nylon and has a bit of stretch, don't know if the design has changed.
The clutch handle can be rotated on mine but I haven't bothered as I can still reach it through the cutout in the TJM T13 bar I have it mounted to.
Clutch handle is at the back and on a 150 with arb bullbar is a dog to reach. On my warn winch this could be rotated, sadly not the case with the grande.
I have just installed a Grande winch on an ARB bar and faced the same problem. It was simple enough to rotate the clutch lever by undoing the bars that hold the ends apart/together and removing the gearbox, undoing the 10 cap head screws revealed and positioning the lever towards the front when installed. Biggest problem is the 10 fasteners don't allow for 90deg rotation.
It wasn't on my bar so it wasn't too much of a drama for me.
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