Question about chain hoists

Afternoon gents, I was wondering if anyone on this wonderful forum has used a chain hoist for recovery. I'm not really ready to get a winch and bumper however, I wanted some type of recovery when I'm out exploring. I was looking at vertical as well as horizontal chain hoists as an option and I am wondering if anyone has used or uses thrm for recovery.
I think vertical hoists might be out of the picture because if I'm right, which I'm usually not, need to be used vertical only so the chains are in line.
Thanks for any info/feedback.

Hurley

 

That last part of your post is accurate. Also general recommended winch rating is 1.5times your vehicle weight, which on an armored or expo truck puts you at around 8500lb-ish or more. A 4ton come-along or hoist weighs a shit load and would be completely impractical out on a trail. I know this because I use them at my job from time to time. Also they would likely be just as expensive or more so than a budget brand winch.

If your going for budget recovery you can always use a hilift as a winch.

 

Im not willing to upgrade to a bumper/winch either so I have a 2 ton US made come-along, Hi lift, snatch block, and an extra 60 feet of good cable.

Alternatively, you could get one of those winches that sit in a basket and mount to a trailer hitch. That way you just remove it when your not out exploring.

 

Winch. It really isn't that expensive when you compare it. Budget winch for ~$400. (nice winch for $1000) The big variable is how you mount it. I made my bumper so it cost about $75. So there is that...

Without winch you might justify (and these are good things to have as well)
-Hi-Lift (~$100)
-Maxtrax (~$400)
-Come along (~$50)
etc.

 

I have a chain hoist in my shop, but its only 1 ton. but it has to be vertical to use. I does however work great, not that fast but Ive only used it once to remove/install a 2.2 4 cylinder engine. So speed isnt really what you need. I do plan on using it for hanging animals during hunting season as well but other than that its not really used for much.

 

+1 A Highlift Jack will "work you" hard, but I've gotten out of many jam's with one, always pulling, never jacking. I'm not sure what the new jacks come with for attaching chains to when pulling, but make sure you have that hardware with you. (a couple of screw clevis's & chain grab hook's).

 

I've seen a griphoist used this way on a long cable - they are expensive though!