Best Gas-Powered Winch With Maximum Pulling Capacity

gas powered winch

One of the functions of a winch is to be able to draw a log in the forest, and if you enjoy hunting and wandering in the woods, a gas-powered winch is recommended. If you're looking for one, though, we know how tough it can be to find one that meets your needs, expectations, and preferences.

You should always pick the best gas-powered winch, and in order to do so, you must be aware of several key purchasing considerations. First, let's talk about the best gas-powered winches.

6 Best Gas-Powered Winch

1. Portable Winch Gas-Powered Winch- 2,200-Lb.

Portable Winch Gas-Powered Capstan Winch - 2,200-Lb. Pulling Capacity, 2.1 HP, Honda GHX-50 Engine,...
  • PCW-5000 Portable Capstan Gas Powered Winch
  • Use for forestry, rescue, farming applications, and more
  • Pulls 2200 lbs. on a single line
  • Tether the winch to a solid object (tree, vehicle ball hitch,...
  • Powered by a Honda GXH50 gas engine

The company is a well-known leader in the field of gas-powered capstan winches. Since 2003, it has been the undisputed leader in the winch business. PCW-5000, out of several high-quality gas-powered winches created by this company, is one of their best, in my opinion.

It can pull up to 2200 pounds, and with the addition of a snatch block, the capacity may easily be increased to 4400 pounds. Well, within the weight restriction, you can use this winch to pull practically anything.

As a result, you may use it to get out of a tight position, drag logs out of the woods, pull huge wildlife across steep terrain, or even pull electrical cables through conduits, among other things.

To summarize, this winch may be used in a variety of settings, including industrial, forestry, hunting, and other outdoor activities. Tethering this winch is also easy. It can be attached to any solid object, such as a rock, post, or tree.

This winch is powered by a Honda 4-stroke GXH-50cc engine that can withstand heavy-duty applications. A Honda engine is always dependable. As previously stated, this winch may be used with any length of double-braided polyester (DBP) rope.

Pros

  • Multi-purpose winch
  • An infinite length of pull
  • Lightweight
  • Great for heavy loads and long distances
  • Easy to use
  • A polyester anchor sling is included in the package

Cons

  • No accessories included

2. Portable Winch PCW3000 Gas-Powered Capstan Winch- 1600Lb

Portable Winch PCW3000 Gas-Powered Capstan Winch - 1,600-Lb. Pulling Capacity, 1.34 Honda GX-35...
  • Powered by a reliable 1.34 HP Honda GX-35 full 360deg...
  • 35cc engine displacement
  • Fast 200:1 gear ratio
  • 33-ft./minute line speed
  • Powerful 1,550-lb. line pull (3,000-lb. pull with use of snatch...

It's the greatest portable capstan winch since it's light and small, making it simple to transport. It is, nevertheless, made of high-quality, long-lasting materials and has a well-sealed, waterproof housing. It has a huge handle on top and other grips on the sides that can help you keep it stable.

The winch has a three-stage spur gear arrangement that allows for quiet and steady operation. Rechargeable batteries and electric motor power it. The motor is powerful, and it has a cooling system to prevent overheating. With 100 feet of the 5/16 wire rope, you can connect your automobile to a tether from a great distance, which is excellent for steep slopes.

This winch comes with a 12-foot rubberized remote and an electronic stop, ensuring the safety of both vehicles. It comes with a roller fairlead, but it may also be used with a hawse fairlead that can be bought and installed separately.

Pros

  • Fast gear ratio
  • Powerful enough for heavy loads
  • Lightweight and easy to operate
  • Durable

Cons

  • Decrease quantity

3. Portable Winch Gas-Powered Capstan Winch Forestry Kit (PCW5000-FK)

Sturdy housing made of long-lasting materials is necessary for a capstan winch like this, which is used in marine applications aboard boats. This piece is made of high-quality metal with an anti-corrosion coating and is completely waterproof. It has a huge top handle and a travel bag because it is portable.

The capstan winch is powered by a 12V motor, which ensures a powerful and continuous running speed. Thanks to the lubricated planetary gearset, it runs softly. The winch comes with all of the wiring needed to connect to the cable.

Image Source: Artist Unknown Store

It has a control pack that can be added alone or in conjunction with the control pack. A large metal drum protects the rope from injury while not adding too much weight. This kit is simple and fast to put together, and the symmetrical, all-black design is stunning.

Pros

  • Straightforward to use
  • No external power source
  • Great flexibility
  • Lightweight winch
  • Heavy-duty rope

Cons

  • A bit pricey

4. Portable Winch Gas-Powered Winch Hunting Kit (PCW5000-HK)

Portable Winch Gas-Powered Capstan Winch Hunting Kit - 2,200-Lb. Pulling Capacity, 2.1 HP, Honda...
  • PCW5000-HK includes the following: PCW5000 portable capstan...
  • PCW5000 Specifications: 4-stroke Honda GX-50cc engine; 57mm...
  • PCW5000 Features: lightweight and portable; constant pulling...
  • Use the pulleys, slings and carabiners to create a...
  • NOTE: Some pictures display equipment in use and may contain...

This model, like the PCW5000-MK, is a combination of the PCW5000 winch and the requisite hunting kits. The HK at the end of the model number stands for hunting kits in this case.

If you're a hunter who finds hauling huge animals a problem, this PCW5000-HK gas-powered winch is the one for you. Since this model has two swing-side pulleys, you can easily triple the winching power. It transforms the PCW5000 winch into a tremendous workhorse.

There's nothing much to say here because the winch is the same as before. This one just comes with extra hunting gear.

Let's have a look at the extras that come with this model;

  • PCW5000: Gas-powered winch with a weight capability of 2200 lbs.
  • PCA-0100: 1 waterproof travel box for all attachments, including the winch
  • 1 double braided polyester rope (PCA-1213M) 100 m x 12 mm
  • 2 stainless steel swing slide snatch blocks (PCA-1274)
  • 1 nylon fabric rope bag with handle and shoulder strap (PCA-1256) (medium)
  • 1 hitch plate winch anchor (PCA-1261)
  • PCA-1372: 1 HPPE rope choker that is both durable and light.
  • 1 grab hook (PCA-1282)
  • 1 safety hook with a spring-loaded safety gate (PCA-1281)
  • 2 polyester slings (PCA-1259)
  • PCA-1276: 4 oval locking carabiners made of zinc-plated anodized aluminum steel with a screw gate lock.

All of the attachments are of excellent quality and can withstand big weights.

Pros

  • Great weight capacity
  • Waterproof transporting cases
  • Durable but lightweight
  • Great for hunting
  • All accessories are high quality

Cons

  • Expensive

5. Portable Winch PCW4000 Gas-Powered Winch Silver

Portable Winch PCW4000 Gas-Powered Capstan Pulling Winch Silver
  • Max. Pull Force: 2200 lb. (4400 lb. when doubling line)
  • Max. Pull Speed: 44' / min.
  • Honda GX50 cc 4-stroke 2.0 HP gas engine powered
  • Equipped with quick release anti-rollback mechanism (ARM)
  • Weight: 26.5 lb.

This gas-powered winch is the best for you if you ever need to remove hung-up trees, remove out-of-reach logs, liberate a stranded automobile, or get out of any other similar situation. This winch, which is engineered to carry big weights, is powered by a HONDA 4-stroke GXH-50 cc engine.

It also has an incredible strength-to-weight ratio, weighing just 16 kilograms yet pulling 1000 kilos. This winch is easy to set up and use. The 12-foot lead on its portable rubber controller gives you plenty of room to maneuver away from the automobile.

It's highly tough, but it's not waterproof. As a result, it will function in most weather conditions but will not be suitable for rescuing a car from the sea. It's a touch noisier than the bulk of the other winches on our list, but that's hardly the worst thing a winch can have.

The basic configuration consists of a 57 mm drum with a 12-meter per minute draw and is made to last. The 85 mm drum (#PCA-1100) may be bought separately and promotes 18 meters per minute. The "#PCA-1215M" capstan winch is used with 1/2 tonne capstans. Pulleys and anchor straps can also be used to improve or divert the line drawn with this rope.

Pros

  • Great pull capacity
  • Great portable winch
  • Easy to use
  • Reliable pulleys and anchor straps

Cons

  • Not waterproof

6. Portable Winch Gas-Powered Capstan Winch Kit (PCW5000-MK)

Portable Winch Gas-Powered Capstan Winch - 2,200-Lb. Pulling Capacity, 2.1 HP, Honda GHX-50 Engine,...
  • PCW-5000 Portable Capstan Gas Powered Winch
  • Use for forestry, rescue, farming applications, and more
  • Pulls 2200 lbs. on a single line
  • Tether the winch to a solid object (tree, vehicle ball hitch,...
  • Powered by a Honda GXH50 gas engine

This winch is identical to the PCW5000 capstan winch operated by gas. It has the same weight capability of 2200 lbs. The only difference between the first and this winch is that this one is labeled MK, which stands for the multipurpose kit.

The following are some of the accessories required for the PCW5000 model:

  • One gas-powered winch with a weight capability of 2200 lbs.
  • One padded waterproof case with removable rollers/casters and a folding handle (PCA-0340).
  • PCA-1100: 1 drum for the capstan
  • PCA-1213M: 1 rope made of DBP
  • PCA-1256: 1 midsize rope bag with shoulder strap
  • PCA-1259: 1 sling made of polyester
  • PCA-1261: 1 anchor for a hitch plate winch
  • PCA-1274: 1 stainless steel snatch block on the swing side
  • PCA-1276: PCA-1281: PCA-1281: PCA-1281: PCA-1281: PCA-1281: PCA-1281: PCA-12 1 latching safety hook
  • PCA-1282: 1 hook for grabbing
  • 1 choker chain (PCA-1295)

As you may have seen, this model does not provide much in the way of innovation when compared to its predecessor. It is recommended that you also get a waterproof case. You might simply teleport yourself this way.

You'll get a waterproof case to keep your winch safe while you're transporting it. The travel case has casters (removed) and two handles, making it easy to transfer. All of the additional accessories, including the synthetic rope, are of high quality.

Pros

  • High-quality accessories
  • Easy to use
  • Waterproof case
  • Great weight capacity
  • Folding handle for easy portability

Cons

  • Pricey

What Do You Consider When Buying the Best Gas Powered Winch?

1. Capacity

The winch capacity refers to the maximum weight that the winch can pull. It is commonly specified for the first row of wire coiled on the spool, i.e. when the cable is almost completely unrolled and is expressed in kilograms.

As the number of rows of the cable coiled on the drum grows, the winch's force diminishes. Each row is expected to represent a 13 percent decrease. A horizontal cable is typically used to offer this capacity for a rolling load.

As a result, you'll need to go with a greater capacity than you think you'll need to account for power loss during wrapping and compensate for the increased force caused by gravity and friction.

Detail photo of the car winch.

A capacity 50 percent bigger than the weight to be transported is reasonable and prudent. If you wish to use your winch to lift something, be sure the capacity isn't shown in rolling loads. A different force calculation is required when lifting weight than when rolling a load.

2. The Use

This winch is designed for heavier weights and commercial use. It may be used on ships and in the water, as well as in forests, structures, mining, and demolition. If required, you can also use it for personal reasons. There are different types of winches you can choose from depending on your needs.

3. Features

The winch has a tight seal and is completely waterproof. It may be pulled in any direction and with different types of rope. It also features a remote control, which allows for better job monitoring. When compared to other types of winches, this makes them more usable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Gas Powered Winches

1. What is the difference between winch and capstan?

A rope or steel cable is coiled onto a drum in a winch. A capstan is a motorized drum-shaped device that aids in the pulling of a rope, steel cable, or chain without actually rolling it onto a drum.

2. How much can a capstan winch pull?

The maximum pull capacity of a capstan drum varies from one model to another. For instance, a model like Portable Winch Multi-Purpose Gas-Powered Capstan Winch has a line pull capacity of 2250 lbs.

3. How do you use a gas winch?

The rope is pulled by hand to run the winch, and as it is pulled, it bunches up, generating friction between itself and the capstan drum. As a result, the engine's pulling force is delivered to the rope, allowing things to be easily winched in.

4. What is a capstan winch used for?

A capstan winch is a mechanism that can tighten or loosen ropes that can lift or lower sails and other things aboard sailing vessels.