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quadratec winch any good??

53K views 170 replies 75 participants last post by  Jeffreybomb 
#1 ·
At $294 for a 9000 lb winch its pritty hard not to consider it.
 
#84 ·
and back to the Quadratec winch discussion.... I agree with the whole buy American for quality/economy/moral reasons, and I won't repeat what everyone said... The main reason I shelled out the extra cash for my Warn is for peace of mind. There are so many discussions on whether or not this winch is good or that winch is bad, and on most winches there is never a 100% consensus that it is good. There are always stories about Chinese made winches failing. The one brand that I have never ever seen knocked is Warn. Sure, those other winches may last years and work perfectly for some people, but will it for me? I can't be sure, so every time I need to use it I'd be worried about it failing and me being completely f'ed. With my Warn, I drive into mud I'm not sure about getting through, I pressure my friends to do the same, because I know that my Warn will get us out every time. Obviously there are human factors, and the winch won't get me out if I'm up to the roof in mud, but that's not the winch's fault.

I've also learned through experience, as I'm sure many have, that buying cheap tools is not a good idea. When they break, you end up spending more $ after replacing it then if you had bought the good one in the first place.

Sure I spent $500 on the winch, but I am 100% confident that with basic care and maintence it will last me for many many years. And I get stuck a lot! :thumb:

just my 2 cents (or a little more :rolleyes:)
 
#88 ·
B.B. said:
So in essence jstone, what tickles you is to buy quality the first time around. That is great, and I'm happy you can do that! Quality however is an ambiguous term, and definitely in the eye of the beholder.....as I said, I have had many winches fail, even Warn.

I try them all, variety is the spice of life!! After all, I no longer work for me, I now work for Jeep accessories!! LOL
Under what sort of conditions did or fail and why didn't you get it warranty replaced?
 
#95 ·
Probably not since I think there are probably just as many Jeeps with Chinese winches as others. Soooooo, because a winch is made in America withb made in China machinery it is better? Maybe, but China still gets some of the credit for the Made in America winch. At least that is how Warn started, but hey, Americans were operating the machinery, I think. They also got their remotes and solenoids from Asian countries.
 
#97 ·
here I am dragging this up after a week has past but was curious about switching from cable to synthetic. I am assuming that a winch is not only suited for one or the other, but can be interchanged when replacement time comes.

I like the synthetic rope and hawse fairlead over the wire rope and roller, and it will fit my bumper better that way. Interesting all brands but i am leaning towards the Q9000 or VR8000 with thoughts of switching to synthetic one day.
 
#99 ·
I wasn't sure how that worked, thanks!

I worked around big winches, like triple spool, 1 1/8th wire, 2000' per spool, powered by a Cummins Diesel and a guy in cab big. and the drums were specific to the size, weave and the lay of the wire. I guess there is no way to get it shipped out syn. as of right now huh? like the VR8000-S, I'm just trying to compare apples to apples
 
#100 ·
The only thing you need to be careful about when you switch the line to synthetic is if the wire line scratched, scuffed or scrapped any surface the synthetic line will be on. If your going to reuse the roller fairlead you would have to file down any burrs and smooth it down. Also check the drum for anything that might catch or fray the synthetic line.

If your replacing one on a new winch, most come with the line not installed. You wouldn't even have to take it out of the wrapping and just spool the synthetic one on.
 
#102 ·
I don't care were its made, I tend to wait at least three years to buy anything. I need testamonials or opinions from people I know on a product befor I will spend more than 100$ on anything. I'm not saying Quadratecs winch is bad, if it holds up I may have one in three years or so, but a winch is not something you check every day. Every one whos had a winch go bad on them found out when they were stuck or trying to pull some one else out this is why I need a tested product such as WARN.
 
#108 ·
We are shipping them out all this week. We opted to take the time and open up each winch before shipping to make sure nothing is damaged. Anything that was blemished is being quarantined. It is extending the shipping process longer than we'd like, but it is a necessary evil to make sure that a customer does not get their new winch already broken. :)

-Joe
 
#105 ·
Something I'm missing from this discussion is the importance of customer service. For example, in the Jan 2012 issue of Four Wheeler, a 1982 Warn M8274 was rebuilt, Warn customer service provided all kinds of information like what kind of ratchet was used, where to get parts, parts list available on Warn website, etc. I don't have any indication of Quadratec customer service if/when one of their new winches need to get serviced. Buying a replacement does not always have to be the only option if there is good customer support. I'm not knocking Quadratec on this, just don't know where they stand on servicing their products, and would welcome comment from the Quadratec guy.
 
#107 ·
I'm not too sure what you mean here by this. We have a 1 year electrical warranty and a limited lifetime mechanical warranty. If something goes wrong, we replace it. We will send you either the electrical parts needed, or an entire winch if something does wrong inside.

Quadratec has a pretty good reputation, so I bet they would take care of you.
Always! :D :thumb:

-Joe
 
#112 ·
That sounds like quality will be improved even more. It's forcing the manufacturer to pay more attention in the assembly construction and finish. More so than the other Chinese winches.

You just bumped up on my list.
 
#120 ·
bought one today, with the help of Quadratec Joe, looking forward to trying it out. Might switch to synthetic line first though.
 
#121 ·
When ordering synthetic rope for a Jeep size winch, it is a very good idea and strongly recommended going with 3/8" and not 5/16". Yes 5/16" synthetic is more than strong enough but since synthetic is obviously more easily abraded than wire rope is, the extra safety margin you gain with 3/8" typically rated at 19K lbs. or more is well worth the slight extra cost.
 
#123 · (Edited)
Well, I decided to keep this post going rather than start a new one, even though this one has gone way left, then way right, and now back on center with the original topic...lol.

I got my Q9000 via UPS yesterday, unpacked it and its installed. Here is my experience from purchase to install, and I will continue to post it as usage and wear occur.

First off, I PM'ed Quadratec Joe on here and he set up an order for me for a blemished Q9000, 269.00 shipped. UPS delivered it three days after my order left the warehouse and I can tell you, it is heavy! Like real heavy! The UPS guy took a couple breathers as he struggled to get it to my door. It had UPS stickers all over it saying "Caution, over 70lbs" and it was no joke. I couldn't lift it from my living room floor, i had to unpack it right there.

I sell a lot through ebay and Craigslist and even on here in the for sale section, there is no doubt in my mind the shipping on this thing was a lot, and Quadratec shipped it free to me, bonus points to them.

Mine was a blemished unit so I wont comment on the finish, but it is all superficial, and considering my jeep is far from a car show winner, it really doesn't matter.

Instructions were printed in book form (no unfolding a thin piece of paper, looking for the english side) on heavy card stock, better print than their catalogs, in full color, with pictures. No German, French or Spanish here, all English and written well.

Everything was unpacked and and accounted for. All grade 8 hardware where necessary, stainless for the solenoid mounts. The controller is a rubber handle, which to my surprise is pliable, but super durable....I have seen other controllers that are plastic bodies (clamshells) but this looks like you could drop it and it would bounce , not break. I wish I know the terminology for the rubber (vulcanized, blow molded, ect) but I don't. I just know it was a nice surprise vs. concern.

I chose the side mount on the solenoid, and sitting in my living room (it's been over 100 degrees here for a week or two, so yea, I was sitting on the carpet in the a/c!) had it hooked up with no issues or confusion.

I had bought a winch mount for my jeep also earlier so it was not installed, so in the A/C :punk: I bolted up the roller fairlead to the mount, then the winch to the mount, all effortless and without issue.

I took it out to what felt like the surface of the sun (my garage) and put the torque wrench on the winch bolts, then mounted it to the bumper.

Cables were well thought out for a Jeep, they were perfect in length to get to my battery, with slack in them so they are not pulled tight, but its not possible to for them to get in any moving parts.

That's where I stopped, my battery post bolt stripped coming off and the family was wanting me to get cleaned up so we could go celebrate the 4th of July at the town picnic.

I'll get it hooked up today and re-spool the cable, and have a trip Sunday planned to go wheeling and hope to use it.

I'll continue to post as i get use out of it.

My overall impression, having had one in my hands, is a good one. There is nothing light or cheap about it. And Quadratec has obviously thought it out a lot with the effort in their instructions, the controller handle ect. It may only be a entry level winch, but its by no means cheap at this point.
 
#125 ·
Well, I decided to keep this post going rather than start a new one, even though this one has gone way left, then way right, and now back on center with the original topic...lol.

I got my Q9000 via UPS yesterday, unpacked it and its installed. Here is my experience from purchase to install, and I will continue to post it as usage and wear occur.
Great review! Can't wait to hear your thoughts on its operation. You won't be disappointed! :thumb:

-Joe
 
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