Ironman Winch - Beware

In complete transparency, I have not heard back from Ironman customer support on this issue. They are typically very responsive and helpful, but we are three days out from contacting them.

I purchased an Ironman 4x4 9500 lb. winch with synthetic rope about three years ago. It has less than an hour of total usage, most of that clearing felled trees from a trail. I purchased it because of the features, slim profile, relocatable control box, and good review. It was also on sale, so it was a good buy.

During the first use, the remote function ceased working. I thought it was batteries, and it was not. The one included was replaced and it still did not work. Not a huge deal as the cable still worked.

About three weeks ago, I went to paint the rope near the barrel and respool the line as I hadn't done it after the last use. I pulled the line out manually, the plugged in the cable to start respooling, and the winch did not work.

Trouble shooting was done with the help of Ironman support, and I ordered a new control box.

The pics below are not edited. The cover of the control box, which is supposed to sealed and wet location mountable, was warped in the upper left corner where the Ironman logo is molded into the box cover. There is also a small lip, about 1/16" around most of the interior of box to help seal the edges. This is not present in the logo areas.

When I removed the old box, the gap in the top of the box was immediately recognizable. I was able to easily put a reciprocating saw blade in the opening without any force. When the cover was removed, the mounting screw for that corner was still secure. Because that screw was still secure, as were the other three, I believe this is a defective design and needs to be remedied. It appears that a marketing team looking for brand recognition won out over effective design.

If Ironman responds to my email, I will update the post appropriately.

Pics below are not altered.





This took no effort, the blade just slid in like it belonged there.



Not sure what the green wire is, but it was disconnected when the cover was removed.


The pic is a bit blurry, but note where the edge stops and is not present in the curved portion of the box.

 

There are no pics.

 

I'm seeing them. Did this work?

 

That one did, but none in the first

 

Take Two

First three pics show the gap on the curved portions of the cover. Box is yet to be opened.



Demonstrating the size of the gap. That is a blade from a reciprocating saw.

Box opened. Note the amount of dirt in the bottom corners and on top of the rusted screw next to the green wire attached to nothing. Is this the wireless connection? That stopped working the first time I used the winch.



Note the flat edge in all of the curved corners as opposed to the lip on the rest of the box.

 

How about now?

Thank you for letting me know.

 

Update.

Two more attempts to reach Ironman. Crickets.

I don't like public shaming, but...

One star review, pics of the bad box, comments on the lack of response on Google reviews.



We'll see.

 

IM seems to have a new rep here, maybe they can help? @IM4X4USA any thought?

 

I didn't know they were on the sight.

 

That's a new account for them within the past day or two maybe

 

I just looked at the vendor list and didn't see them. Maybe it's still getting set up.

Given the past week, I'm not holding my breath. But thanks for letting me know.

 

have you tried to call? 855-476-5714 not that its a good answer but messages usually just go to a help desk person. if you lived in Oregon id head to Sherwood to go to the storefront. though seeing this makes me sad my ironman 12k has been a champion.

 

Called. I got some bad impressions of pro wrestlers while waiting. Was kind of irritating.

And I'm in Virginia, so the store is a bit of drive.

 

And I like the winch. People I was with clearing the trail were impressed that it just kept going. The last time I used it I pulled a Taco backwards up an approx 30* incline to get him off a tree and a better line up the next hill. I just wish it would work the way it's supposed to. We've got a trip planned next month and I want it ready to go if we need it, especially if we need it quick, i.e. wireless ready to go.

 

Im guessing you tried them on Instagram and Facebook too?

 

Yes.

The public shaming appears to have worked. The guy I've been emailing with just emailed.

Keep ya posted.

 

Sometimes I get the feeling that every single winch these days is made in the same Chinese factory, and you just are cutting out the middleman when you buy Harbor Freight.

 

The current situation.

They wanted me to test the battery. Battery was low, so instead of recharging it, I replaced it.




Then I went out to the truck and recorded what's happening.

Pretty sure it's not supposed to work like this:

https://youtube.com/shorts/6UPoLWsH3qg?si=tZN76a1pANM338Vk



Still no comment on the condition of the old control box.

 

So, user error on the wireless aspect of the winch. The little plastic cap that comes with it wasn't on. My bad.

But, I'm flabergasted that the support tech actually asked what was wrong with the old box.

 

the wireless plug thing for the winch controller when its not wired?